Help weddings are so expensive

I wish there were a magic answer, but there isn't. My son's getting married in five weeks, and for less than 60 guests, they're paying over $7K (and growing). I've called in some favors, but it's still hardly budget friendly to host 8 tables with great apps, a menu of five table side ordered entrees, an open bar, and some insider graces...plus the expenses of wedding garments, decors, and other professional vendors. You have to cut the guest list. That's it.

It's gonna be hard to host that many guests. Especially in Boston...I believe it can be very expensive there. I'm hosting 150 in Phoenix for $20k. And that's what I'm at right now...who knows what the final count will be.

NH might be a little cheaper, but not in any designated "wedding" venues. You would have to get creative. For reference, my 130person wedding is costing us 30k and I cheaped out on more than I would have liked to. It's in NH.

I have a guest count of 170 and my orginal budget was 15k but im already over budget. Looking at about 16.5 k now. However ny venue was 4k but I loved it and couldnt say no!

Emma unfortunately I can't comment on the costs on wedding where you are and help you there but I can say that those who want to be there will travel, just be prepared that some might not but that's ok (it will help you guest list too), they have a lot of notice. The majority of both of our families live on the other side of the country (am in Ireland) and had between a 2-5 hrs drive depending on where they came from, some also travelled from uk, France and US. They all came bar my aunt who was on holidays abroad. I am friendly with all of my cousins so I understand it's very hard not to invite them, for us. We didn't send STDs and only told family and close friends who we knew we would definitely want. Then when it came to invites we cut friends who we hadn't seen in the two years of planing (and hadn't mentioned wedding too) also we didn't have too many neighbours/parents friends there. (We were paying for it all so had this choice). We also picked an off peak time of year and a Thursday (was over the easter hols). That all helped with venue prices.

I am in the Boston area as well. I would echo cutting the guest list, but also research the style you want for your wedding and venues that fit that style. Look at venues that allow you to bring in your own caterer/alcohol and provide a DOC. Historic estates often allow for that. Consider a Friday or Sunday wedding or an afternoon wedding instead of Saturday night. Some vendors offer a break on price during those days as well. Have you seen Hamilton Hall in Salem MA? Gorgeous historic estate in one of the best neighborhoods in MA and very reasonable. They allow you to bring in your own catering, provide a DOC and have a beautiful park across the street if you want to do an outdoor ceremony. Stay clear of places who want you to meet a food and drink minimum. There were so many places we loved but couldn't stomach paying $**** for food and drink that wouldn't be consumed.

Boston is an expensive area. Either cut the guest list or move out of the city into a suburb. Look for an off peak time and maybe even a Sunday

Have you looked at Bella Luna in Jamaica Plain? I'm currently researching venues in Northern New England and that place seemed pretty reasonable and the photos looked cute. I've never been there so don't actually know what it's like in person though! Good luck - weddings are pricey!

Oh my God, I am in the Boston area (outside of it) and we are having ~150-160 people and our catering alone is over $10,000. I looked at tons of venues and this was the cheapest I could find. I think you need to cut your guest list and maybe look into off season or Sunday weddings.

@Emma DH and I both come from large families. There were people we were sure we would hear from if we didn't invite them but we left them off the guest list anyway because we never see or speak to them otherwise. And guess what, not a peep! I know it feels like you have to invite everyone but I am here to tell you that you don't. DH and I felt it was more important to invite some friends who we do see regularly and leave off family who were only going to be invited because they were related to us. Our rule of thumb with family, if I only see you at the occasional wedding and/or funeral and we do not communicate otherwise, they were not invited. The best advice I got for the guest list came from my mom- "you have to draw the line somewhere and there will always be someone left on the other side." And to be honest, there were still members of my family I could have left off the guest list. If I could do it over again, I would leave them off and invite more friends!