NYC wedding for less than $3,000. Can it be done? I need serious help

3,000. Can be done if you had your wedding in a park and held the reception in a resturant that cost no more than $ 35pp.

It can be done. The park is a great cost savings idea, but is the alcohol part important to you? My suggestions- discuss with FH what you really want. Entertain the idea of a late night cocktail reception or dessert reception- venue hunt until you drop. Be upfront with your budget, surprisingly in this economy people are more willing to work with a budget. I helped plan a friends wedding for 85 people for less than 4000 (she later cancelled it and went for a big wedding when her dad offered to pay...but any who..) It can be done. I suck at DIY projects but the girls here are great at sharing and explaining, so take on what you can yourself.

Given that the reception is typically half of the total cost, the restaurant would have to be less than $25pp to make this work.

If you are counting on having both ceremony and reception in the park, is there a picnic shelter you could rent in case of rain? If so, you might consider serving picnic-type foods, which would likely be less than standard catering.

We're doing a cookout and some of my family is bringing their favorite cookout dish for our wedding/reception. My wedding cake is actually 7 dozen cupcakes with a small cake on top of the stand which I have ordered at Wal-Mart (cheesy I know but affordable) all for $60.00. I am having my wedding/reception at a campground and the total cost for everything will be less then $1,000. My altar will be shepherd hooks with tulle which is inexpensive. I ordered 50 invites from www.vistaprint.com for less then $20.00 including shipping (I hit a major sale last month). I have ordered things from Oriental Trading and Shindigz for my centerpieces and favors. I have also ordered my veil and tiara/necklace set from www.lightinthebox.com all for $30.00 (shipping included). If you do some digging and realize what is really important to you a wedding/reception can be done tastefully and cheap.

I am also borrowing my chairs for the wedding/reception from our local fire department and my aunt will be the photographer.

It will be tough, but it might not be impossible. Not having alcoholic drinks is actually a great thing for you...it will remove a major expense! Do you already have a particular park in mind? How much does it cost? What is included with it...tables? Chairs? Do you want to have the reception in the park? Are you limited to NYC? The city has pretty limited options when it comes to outdoor spaces for private parties.

As for food, you'll probably have to do something light and casual. You could look into having it catered by a restaurant. A bride on WW had hers catered by Panera (http://www.paneracatering.com/Home.aspx)...I'm not sure what their prices are, but I'm sure it's reasonable. I live in central NJ but depending on your location, we have a GREAT caterer that we use for family parties who gives us a massive amount of really good food for around $10/person...I could share her contact info with you if you want.

Give us more information so that we can help you more!

Wow - im in nyc and I have to be honest... $3000 is not going to go far. :o/

Also- it takes 4-6 months to have your dress made so I am concerned about your time frame.... your invites need to go out 6-8 weeks before your date and can take several weeks so you need to get those asap- - which also means you need to lock down your location. Im not saying its impossible- its going to be tight and tough... especially since you are so close to your date.

Id say research research research... good luck!

Lots of DIY projects. I would also suggest looking into some areas close to NYC but not in the city. These other areas will probably be cheaper and more accommodating.

Thanks for all the suggestions and support ladies. I order my dress already, am making my vail, my husband to be has a tux, my friend is going to make my cake, a friend that does make-up and hair for broadway shows might help, music will be iPod, save the date from VistaPrint (THANK YOU DANNA), invitations from Walmart (THANKS DANNA) and we have 2 locations in mind Fort Tryon and Hudson River Park. I spoke to my councilman (which am friends with) to see if he could do anything in regards chairs and tables in these 2 locations and he is looking into it. We don't have a back up RAIN DAY plan and that is not good. ROSIE I Would love to have the contact number for that catering place in central NJ. THANKS

So now, am looking for cheap party rental place, mail out the save the date, later mail out invitations, get caterer and after picking the location, decide on decorations. AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

I will keep you all posted. ONCE AGAIN, THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL SUPPORT!

XOXO

We saved a ton of money by renting out a function space in a pub, vs. a fancy restaurant. Then I spent about $300 on flowers to spruce the place up. You just have to get creative with venues.

I'd save the money on the STD. Your invites are going to go out soon (I hope) and the postage and printing for STD is really an expense you could cut out easily.

Like other ladies have said.. it will take ALOT and I mean ALOT of DIY. Try your best to compare a florist prices vs fake flower prices. In my area it was cheaper to do fake, I did my bouquet for $25 and its done. I just got my flowers for my BM and MOH bouquet's last night from Michaels and caught their 50% off sale on flowers. If you have a Michael's near you.. be sure to see when their sales are!

@Mary makes a good point, saving $ on the STD is good. Another place to try and look for is depending on where your friends and family live. A lot of apartment communities have rooms/clubhouse/lounge areas for for rent or even for free that if you live there you can use. Some times it is even just a deposit that you get back as long as their are no damages. A friend of mine had her wedding and reception in the courtyard of a nice high-rise in Providence. It is something to look into.

Delfin,

Can you trim your guest list? For example, if you cut it in half, your cost would be approximately half. Also, if you had the ceremony and reception at the same venue (e.g., restaurant), you wouldn't need to rent chairs and wouldn't need to worry about a thunderstorm in July.

Dan

I saw somewhere in one of my bridal magazines a girl got married at central park. I think the rental fee was $25. She rented chairs for the ceremony but if you have a real short ceremony guests could stand. The same bride had a lot of OOT'ers and made a little map of the city and had guests take the subway to a restaurant for dinner. I just thought of a neat idea if you're creative you could get plain fans for the ceremony (maybe use it as a favor?) if its hot and then maybe draw a map from the ceremony location to the reception location on the fan.

Once again, these ideas are wonderful! I was thinking of the fan Idea Chasity, thanks. One of the sites does not allow chairs, tables nor music. SAD!

The other problem that came to mind was BATHROOMS! We are planning a late afternoon (5 pm) engagement. Public Bathrooms close at 6 pm.

I am looking into renting the other other part of a restaurant like Chelsea suggested. I have to call later tonight. Lets see how that goes.

Will keep you all posted.

Thanks

Check your mailbox, I sent you her contact information in a private message

Since you're getting so close to the wedding date, you can skip sending out save the dates to save money on printing and postage. If you do want to notify people, maybe you can make an e-save the date and e-mail it out to your guests?

Rosie you are wonderful. I already order the save the date.

Delfin, I'm in NY and do corporate planning. I can find you a place in the Riverdale section of the Bronx for a day reception, not too far at all from Ft Tryon Park. I also have ideas for a midtown place that you could use if you have a sunday wedding.

Email - I can help you. *********@***.***

Sixty people in a public park anywhere honestly seems like a bit much in terms of sound, possible rain issues, and logistics (travel). I'd give forty as a max.

With sixty people coming, marry at the Bethesda Terrace. Bathrooms are nearby, there are benches just in case some wish to sit, and the arcade/ underpass provides space just in case it rains. Get the permit ASAP for such a large crowd. Then find a nearby restaurant. You could even consider doing pizza, which is cheaper, but the restaurant must be within walking distance (72nd Street -ish via either 5th Ave or Central Park West). Moving such a crowd is going to be difficult.

Or find a restaurant with outdoor space in which to marry. You can always have your Aunt the photographer take pre -ceremony photos in Central Park. Or hire a photographer for an engagement session (which is much less) if you want stellar park photos. These can be displayed on your wedding day.

Tryon Park is incredible.