Options/Types of Venues under $1,000 or $2,000???

VFW halls maybe

eta: dont try to diy food for that many people, it would probably be cheaper to hire someone than to try to get all the food at retail prices (caterers can get cheaper rates). Not all caterers cost a lot.

1. Where are you?

2. DIY food for 200? This won't go over well.

3. Someones backyard?

Please don't DIY food.

I second brigit - maybe a VFW hall... Maybe (they might not even be that big). But DIYing food for 200 is a lot.. Please don't.

Olive Garden, Moe's Southwestern Grill, a lot of BBQ places, some Italian restaurants, and food trucks are options that you should definitely consider if you are looking for lower cost catering options. Please don't self cater. It isn't hygenic, and it poses a risk to your guests.

Self-catering a wedding does not go over well here because... botulism.

Hotels, VFW, fire halls, reception halls, etc etc etc. Please do not try to self cater a wedding for 200.

Maybe if a family member is a member of a country club or a church that will let you do it for less. Don't diy food. It's too much stress, you don't want you friends and family working on the big day, food poisoning...

Congratulations. First of all, the fact that your family is huge does not mean you have to invite them all. The venue is just the tip of the iceberg, and honestly, you're starting late for April '16.....

Food for 200 is NOT an easy DIY. You will find two people here who will tell you to just go ahead with that....the other 100 will tell you not to do it.

Those are my ideas. I know you didn't particularly want those ideas, but that's the reality, and usually it's helpful if someone tell it to you.

Where are you located? Check fire house banquet halls, community centers and VFW halls. All of those should be under $1000 to rent, but you may have to bring everything in.

Aunt or no, cut the guest list if you're on a budget. It's STILL going to cost a lot to food and drink those guests. And family should not be working at your wedding, whether it's cooking, decorating or DJ'ing....

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I can honestly promise you all that food (costs, etc) is taken care of... please don't worry about food. (this Aunt asked to do it so I can promise it's not an issue). It's the rest of the budget that I'm short on.

Mercilessly SLASH the guest list. You do not HAVE to have 200 guests.

Point out to your FH that not only will you be paying per person for food & beverages, but also tables, chairs, linens, dishes & flatware & glasses, servers/bartenders, and (optionally) centerpieces, menus, place cards, programs. And some halls large enough to accommodate 200 guests cost more to rent than some halls that accommodate 75-100.

Serving staff? Dishes? Linens? Tableware? Drinks and bartenders?

Trust me, I'm not worried, but with a small budget, the first thing that has to go is the guestlist.

Because it's not just food; it's invites, centerpieces, even thank you notes. It all adds up.

We're getting married at a hotel ballroom. Ours can fit up to 165, but there's another ballroom that can fit almost 400. Their wedding package includes use of the space, tables, chairs, linens, flatware, dishes, centerpieces, a honeymoon suite for the night after, dance floor, set-up and strike, and storage of our decorations for up to 3 days. It's $1000 because we have fewer than 150 guests, and would be $1,500 for any number over 150 guests. The biggest downside is we are required to purchase food and drinks from the hotel. Our catering for 140 people is probably going to be around $6,000. Oh, and our wedding is in Gainesville, FL.

As others have said, you really should cut your guest list if you're on a tight budget. It affects pretty much every other cost that goes into the wedding. And self-catering or friendors (when friends act as your vendors) are terrible ideas.

Do it in a restaurant, politely decline the offer to cater from your aunt. Most restaurants don't charge for use of their space, have a full bar ready to go, and have lots of menu options for whatever price point.

Let's say your feeding your guests for $40 a plate. That's $8,000 before anything else. Cut your guest list.

What about having everything at a B&B (which can then double as accomodations)? That's what we are doing- it's $1500 for the deposit and then we just have to pay for the food (they have a prof chef and banquet room). It's nice because we don't have to pay for every little thing (chairs, tables, etc etc) since it comes with the place. It might be worth looking into, for it's cheaper in the long run.

Idk where you live, but I wouldn't worry about being too hot in April... I would be more concerned about cold or rainy weather! For that reason, look at VFW or Fire halls. If you are getting married in a church, you could also have the reception in a church social hall but that might limit your alcohol choices. You may have a hard time finding places on such short notice for a Saturday.

Also, change your avatar! The rings are associated with spam/trolls so it will help you get more responses