Guest list Help!

Also want to add, if I limit mom/dad invites it still doesn’t bring us down to budget.

So I also live in a high cost state (MA) and we spent roughly $25,000 for 110 guests. We skipped a lot of things like videography and the majority of florals. We had a cake but the design was very simple. We did very limited stationary- no menus, programs, signs, and escort cards were blank ones I wrote out from Amazon.


I think if you’re looking to host 200+ people on that budget in NY, you’re going to have to look into cheap catering (maybe Italian or BBQ) and host at a community center or legion type venue or you’re going to have to have your ceremony/reception at a non-meal time and just have some snacks/cake/punch and end before dinner.

I agree you'll have to cut the guest list down, maybe try a Friday wedding they're usually cheaper, getting married out of peak wedding season saves money too. Have a beer and wine only reception will save too. You can find affordable photographer and DJs you just have to shop around.

Yup, I agree with Rachael above. Try these ways to cut costs.

Look for a DIY venue on the outskirts of town. Then you can bring in your own catering. I was able to do this (Texas) and our catering for 200 people is around $5000. Our alcohol bill is around $3500. These things cut the costs significantly.

Hi

Where in NY are you looking at? I live in NYC but decided to go out into long island and i am getting sooo much more bang for my buck. I have 175+ in May on a Sat and Venue is below 20k.

View Quoted Comment I live in the Bronx and my fiancé lives upstate. We’ve been looking in Orange County, NY and jersey. Oh really!!! Any recommendations on places?

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!!! 🤗🤗🤗

View Quoted Comment When you did a DIY venue what were things you
had to rent?

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!! 😃😃😃

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Were getting married at Smithtown Landings, while it is further out in long Island (Suffolk County) and most of family is BKLYN and Staten Island it makes for a nice mini destination wedding. Their Max Capacity is 200 but Im sure not everyone will RSVP yes... You are the only wedding on property so i liked the exclusivity of it. I would definitely check them out speak to Mandi and let her know I sent you she is super sweet. Also check out the Watermill my uncle got married there, and Jericho Terrace, my friend is getting married their in April 2021 and got a pretty good deal and The Estate at Farrington Lake in New Jersey.

I think I'm having 150 people for around 25,000, I think hosting 230 guests for 20,000 is going to be tough. I think you will likely need to cut down your guest list. I'm sure you've done the math but $165 pp x 230 people is almost double your budget. maybe keep venue shopping if you want a larger guest list, or see where else you can save. good luck!

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So I actually tried to avoid renting as much as possible because I figured I could bargain hunt for the same stuff and pay the same amount or even a little more to own it and then I could turn around and sell it. The venue provided tables and chairs (luckily they were the chiavari chairs and farmhouse tables) but that was it. My MOH had tons of white table cloths that had been purchased for an event a few years ago. I bought 200 linen napkins on Amazon for $70. The only things I've rented are plates, glasses, and silverware from a local place for $390. This includes them washing it all so I don't have to worry about that. The venue has zero limitations on vendors so I can choose anyone as far as food, alcohol, decor, DJing, etc. For alcohol, I'm paying a vendor for their service which is $600 and then I can personally go buy the alcohol myself which makes it much cheaper. Anything we don't use can also be returned! I know bringing in our vendors has cut costs significantly because the preferred vendors for venues are usually SUPER high.

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Also, unless you really want their vendors I wouldn't go with the package when you can find other photographers and DJ and get a better bang for your buck. I have a bunch of DJ and Photographers and other Vendors i would be happy to share with you. Its how i kept the cost down! Best of luck... what day were you going for?

View Quoted Comment That would be amazing! Thank you so much 😊! We’re thinking either a Friday or Sunday. Maybe April or August...depends on the place and pricing of that too.

I'm gathering the impression that you have in mind a more traditional wedding (held at a wedding venue with good food and music). I don't think the wedding you envision will be possible with your current budget in NYC with your current guest list. I'm guessing the cost of what you have in mind would cost at least double your current budget, if not more.

Here are a few ideas to save money:

1) Look into a "destination" wedding at a cheaper location, like upstate New York or another place that is special to you to see if things would be cheaper there. It could be an hour or two away or in another state. Before you book a venue, I would research the average price of having a wedding reception in the location you choose.

2) I would cut your guest list by at least 50 people as tough as it sounds. This is the number one way to cut costs for your wedding. Omit children, coworkers, anyone you haven't spoken to in 5 years, etc from your guest list.

3) Do your own flowers using websites like Flower Moxie.

4) Find a venue that will let you hire different catering companies and purchase your own alcohol for the event. This will save you thousands and gives you more options to find ways to save money! If you have to stick to the menu of the venue, you don't have much of a way to cut down on expenses.

5) Completely cut out extras or things that aren't important to you from your budget and 'splurge' on the things that are important to you, even if they are 'traditional'.

6) Omit some of the extra parties (welcome cocktails, medium sized rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch) as these add up quick!

7) Serve beer and wine only instead of an open bar

8) Have a best man/maid of honor and omit a traditional bridal party (you'll save money on flowers, gifts, robes, and they will save money too).

By making some tough decisions early on in the planning process, you guys will be able to afford a wedding of your dreams instead of stretching your budget so so thin. Doing that would really cause a lot of stress in the planning process. Focus on including the people who support you and will be there whatever the future holds instead of inviting everyone you've known throughout your life.

Best of luck!!