Help! Planning wedding on a tight budget! Under $4000 in Houston, TX! Help!

Decor - I am planning to DIY that myself

Invitations - I will do the same for that as well, with help of in-laws

Rings - have already been bought

I live in humble :-)

Well, my budget is $3500/45 guests. I couldn't find all inclusive to save my life girl. We chose our locations down in La Porte, one is the USS TEXAS Battleship, the other is a restaurant that has banquet rooms overlooking the ship channel. What's your theme etc? I didn't count your budget but after total above, why have you left over?

We were originally going for The Lodge inside Huntsville State Park. Freaking gorgeous, but have to be off the premises by 10pm and that wasn't working with us. However it's only $150 on non holidays and ha tables and chairs, but you have to provide all linens. Has an old bar inside, and 2 rooms and of course bathrooms and a decent kitchen. We were gonna do BBQ but we scrapped all that. Ohhhhh it also has a MASSIVE stone patio overlooking lake Huntsville :-) that's included exclusively with the rental :-) and its also $2/guest entrance fee.

I am getting married in KY but I have a similar budget. Maybe for a venue, you could do a church recreational center or park, depending upon if you want to be outside or inside. For food, really if you think about finger foods may not always be cheaper than catering because of all the time it takes to put into it, so look into as many options as you can.

When we looked for all inclusives in Houston we couldn't find any under 10 grand. If I were you, I'd consider getting married on a Friday night or do Sunday brunch, because it's cheaper at most places (my venue cost is cut in half for Friday night weddings). Plus if you just do cocktail hour or light brunch you can save on food / alcohol costs.

I actually just looked at an awesome website and it looks like an awesome venue as well!

http://www.eventsetcweddings.com/_index.html

It is about 2600 total, excluding my dress.

2300 for ceremony and reception and then money leftover for catering and deocrations!

Ashley - I went and look at that place a long time ago and it is nice.

I don't know the area, but I do know that the most economic route will be to find a restaurant where you can do everything...

That's what a friend of mine did in the DC area and was able to get everything down to $2,500.

Any restaurant that has event space and catering capabilities should be able to quote you for event space, staff, food, and linens. Thats the best way to go. You can DIY your centerpieces and cake (though they may have a bakery that they can recommend and get you a deal with - i.e. whoever supplies their pastries/desserts).

Check out http://www.multiplicity.co/pages/venue_rental_16.asp

They are located in Katy and I believe they are a relatively inexpensive option - they aren't all inclusive though but provide a lot of bang for your buck

Beautiful ceremony area as well

Check out Absolutely Divine Catering - they offer full meals as low as $12/person. We are using them for our wedding and the food is really good.

Have you looked at St. John's Chapel downtown? It is right when you enter downtown from Allen Parkway - super super cute. The chapel rental I think is $1,000 (I called when we were looking, but I don't remember exactly) and then you can have your reception outside (which requires a permit from the city, but the permit is less than $50).

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions!!

I finally decided on the brackenridge recreation complex. Its 2 hours away from where I live in Edna, Tx. We're doing a small ceremony at their gazebo overlooking the lake. With a small reception, we plan to travel to austin(another two hours) for a small weekend honeymoon.

Gazebo is 110: 75 for renting and 36 deposit

Small meeting room: 110 ^^ same price

Planning to have a caterer and baker

Same dress : $588

Planning to spend about 1200. Cheapest option ever!!