Is it possible to have a wedding under $10,000 in NJ/NYC?

I'm in CT. We thought 10K would be reasonable we are well over that by now.

If you do something smaller with less guests yes You can do it. Sure

If it were me, I would cut that list down to about 25-30 people and plan something really lavish for that smaller group.

If it needs to be 100 (and it's rare that a guest list can't be cut somewhere), you'll do best with an afternoon dessert reception with cake, punch and snacks.

Anything can happen if you play your cards right. But you have to know with that budget, you have to set limits and stick to them. Best wishes!

It seems like you either need to cut the guest list or expand the budget.

option 3: elope.

It will be tight. Try Friday night or Sunday. And is it 100 invited? Look for a venue that includes the cake, has centerpieces or a venue where you bring it all in and find a caterer that can bring in trays of good food, simple décor (lots of candles can look lush and be inexpensive) and get on Facebook wedding sale sites for items.

For everything?

Not with any quality. That would give you roughly 50.00 pp for food/tax and service, which comes down to about 35.00 PP for food and drink BEFORE tax and service. You're also talking about one of the most popular weekends of the year.

NYC won't work. You can try the Garden Vista Ballroom (talk to Jim). They have a 5000.00 package and you can bring your own liquor in. You could also try the Hird Lake Spa, which is a summer camp renovation; I believe it's in Blairstown NJ.

Listen, I"m right with you; I can't imagine dropping 30,000.00 on one night, but the only way, in this area, is to cut the guest list in half or more.

10k in rural PA? Sure.

In NYC? Not possible.

You'll need to be flexible and maybe look at a cake and punch if you're insistent on 100ppl.

Mine will be around 10,000 maybe closer to 11. with around 200. but I live in Iowa and we'll be getting married in a smaller town where the cost of living is really low here.

Try looking at less populated areas! Or cut other things. I.e.: we had to go with a less expensive photographer, our decoration budget is pretty small, my dress was quite in expensive. Hope that helps!

EtA: sorry about 200 people invited.

I think 15k is a bit more reasonable. I'm in northern nj and having 100 ppl. It's all about the venue of course. Spending about 7,500 on venue. So adding everything else, I think it's best to boost the budget up some....if u just rent a place and do the catering yourself you could definitely do it for 10k

Chicago bride here, second most expensive city for a wedding after NYC, also trying to keep a tight budget. Our venue alone with food, cake, liquor, bartenders, room rentals, & tax/gratuity for 130 guests is at 16K. I would suggest a smaller guest list or bump up the budget if you are able. Pushing your date out helps a lot.

I'm in the SF bay area which is pretty pricey too. We're keeping it to 12k or so ONLY by cutting our guest list to 28. We were looking ot invite 100 or so and couldn't seem to get the cost below $18k, and that was going to be for a pretty standard, cookie-cutter event that neither of us could get super excited about.

Be flexible with your date and time of day. Like off peak season on a Thursday.....

NYC here. Original budget was about $15k. We're going to be well over $25k. (88 guests.)

I'm in southern CT, planned for 20k for 120 guests and we are well over that now. It's possible to stay under 10k in this area, but you need to massively cut your guest list by more than half. 10k is the cost for just my food and alcohol including tax and gratuity.

I paid more than that for 30 guests in North Jersey.

So- yes- but you're going to have to drastically cut your guest list.

I'm in PA with a 100 person guest list and I'm hoping to be spending about $10,000. I did up my budget once from $7,000. It can be done in the smaller towns but I doubt it in NY.

I know everywhere is different. But in st.louis I don't think I could have done 10,000 for 100 people. We are having 150 people and right now are paying 36,000 before honeymoon. And that's not including my dress because my mom paid for it. So if we are including the cost of my dress we would be at 37500.

Im in NY... I began to freak out when many venues were more than 10K .. for 100 guests etc. I have 75 guests, venue is $7k includes cake, food and unlimited booze. Of course i have to do an afternoon reception to lower the cost. Flowers is close to $2400 since I want an arch and all that... ice sculptures for my bar is $400... small things add up.. between photo,video, shoes, dress... maybe cut down your guest list. Or do a Sunday reception.

My guest list is about 250 and my budget is $10k. I have not used any "friendors", and have stayed within my budget for everything. What really saved the most, is my hall suggested a caterer, and that caterer provides everything we need to decorate the reception. Just do research on vendors, compare costs, and decide what you want to spend the most money on.

Yes, I am the minority thinking this. But, I say it can be done.

You would have to drastically cut your guest list. It can be done but you need to either cut guest list or add more money to your budget. You can also push the date back and give yourself more time to save.