Tight Budget ($15,000) Wedding in Baltimore

35.00 pp for food is not a lot of money when you consider staff and rentals...

And I understand that 15,000 is a lot of money, but part of that is stuff that no one really needs. Once you make decisions like a 3000.00 venue and a 2600.00 photographer (neither of which is extreme, honestly) the rest of the budget is probably going to go out the window.

@Spazzytazi - ah, thanks! I didn't look too far into them yet because I haven't found a venue yet. But wow, that is a lot of food, that is awesome lol I love the idea of a late night snack.

I second Mission BBQ, their food is ah-mazing. Haven't used them for catering though.

Thanks everyone for the input! We looked at a lot of venues and didn't have much luck at all finding anywhere that fit the vibe we wanted for under $3K ... most were in the $5-6K range. My fiancee is an artist and since thats how we met it was important to us that we could show some of his artwork in our venue as well. The venue is very open to whatever we want to do, including catering, so we thought that was a good call, as well, since many places we looked at had exclusive catering. Also, all $3,000 of that money is going to an artist run space, so we feel good about that. I appreciate all of the feedback about venues, but we had our hearts set on this space since before we were engaged, so it is what it is.

The wedding industry is ridiculous honestly. I hate that in order to have a wedding even remotely close to what I've envisioned (which is pretty low-key), we have to spend so much money. Maybe $15K isn't a lot to some, but to us it is.

Anyways, rant over -- looking forward to any other Baltimore catering suggestions anyone might have!

I feel your pain. Fellow Maryland bride here. Our budget is $20k for 125-150 people. our venue is around the 4k mark and catering is 6k which includes a open bar. I definitely understand your frustration. Are you willing to look at caterers outside of Baltimore that will come to your venue. They may give you more options. are you willing to take 1000 off of your photography budget or some other budget to add to food?

Allison, it's not the wedding industry; it's the decisions you've made along the way. YOU control every decision; if you took 100 people out to dinner , it would probably be close to 10,000.00 in NYC or close to it. It's not the 'wedding industry'; it's the reality of entertaining.

Cut the guest list. Easiest way to cut the budget. Don't send invites; call everyone. Don't have a wedding dress; wear whatever.

It's not the industry, it's what you've decided you need to have.

I was a MD bride, and I don't really have too many suggestions. Do you mean 15k for everything? (dress, rings, bridesmaids outfits, etc) I tried to keep it at 15k, but we ended up being at 22. Here's a few things to think about:

1) Day/ time of wedding. We did Saturday afternoon and it was cheaper

2) Have you considered a restaurant reception? We had ours at Maggianos in Tysons and it turned out beautiful. No venue charge, just a minimum you have to meet. Our bill was 6200 for 105 people, and open bar.

3) Are you really stuck on that photographer?? There's a lot of good ones out there. We paid 1k for ours and he was amazing.

I saw shop around as much as possible!

@sherry - really? A second day of humblebrag.

Look into R&R catering. They're great at working with your budget. Also, try some non-traditional caterers - like restaurants in the area.

We actually were able to do $15,000 in Alexandria by ditching our venue and booking it at a restaurant instead. We lost our deposit, but we saved thousands.

ETA: I looked back and saw how important the venue is to you, so scratch that last comment.

Really look into non-traditional caterers. Chipotle and Panera, for example, would have the capacity to cater that event. That might be a bit too casual for you, though. And again, look into R&R. I got a quote from them for $60 a person, and that included everything (service, linens, dishes, ice, barware, etc.) except alcohol. They did however have a liquor license so I could have brought my own alcohol and not had to worry about a license.

Your best bet is to change the time of day or the actual date. I have gotten at least 25% off from every vendor for doing a Sunday in February.

Harsh words from a so-called "celebrant" Celia. I'm not getting married in New York City. It is common knowledge that weddings are a billion dollar industry, something you of course must know as you are in it. There is no question that the second you mention "wedding" to a vendor in this country the price tag goes up. True, entertaining is expensive, but a wedding is much more so. I don't think there is any arguing with that.

Maybe I'm just being sensitive, but please think twice next time you decide to post such harsh words to a bride frustrated that she can't have a nice wedding for the price of a down payment on a house.

Best of luck to you.

Laura, I would love to know who your photographer was! I will admit I'm picky about the photos as that it a priority for me, but I am definitely willing to check out other photographers! The one we have been talking to is also the photographer for my best friend's wedding and I absolutely adore her style and work, but again, I'm definitely willing to check out others! I just hadn't had any luck finding anyone with work I liked for under that price.

Rachel -- you are my saving grace on this board! We are also ditching the DJ, I"m not looking at designer gowns, and are planning on doing wholesale flowers. A friend of ours manages a bar so can help us with that portion. Our priorities are the venue and photography, and so I feel good about putting our money towards that. It's hard for me to make decisions, but you have just made me feel so much better about those very important ones. THANK YOU!

Does your venue have any preferred vendors? It sounds like it may not do a huge wedding business so they may not, but if they do, the preferred vendors will sometimes give you a deal. Once I booked my venue, a DJ reached out with a discount because he often works with them. I think my officiant also gave me a discount for that reason. Having your friend help with liquor costs will definitely be an added benefit. Liquor is so expensive. Use vistaprint for STDs and invites. They have 40% off pretty often. Oh! Go to the Brides Against Breast Cancer bridal show in Baltimore this weekend if you can. They have dresses on super discount (and the proceeds go to cancer research) and they usually have some local vendors as well.

GIRL!!!! I'm in the same boat...yes, how is $15,000 considered a tight budget!! My FH and I had about 5 fights about the budget just bc he didn't understand HOW expensive weddings are.

I've been trying to find catering deals as well. I've noticed that BBQ is cheaper and feeds a lot of people.

I would also agree with previous posters that a) it's all about priorities (for example, though I'm trying to do it on the cheap, I am buying my invites since I'm not super-crafty and even my super-crafty sister-in-law's fell apart...) and b) $3000 does seem steep for a venue (unless it's more than just the space). However, I totally understand if the venue is one of your "priorities"...I lucked out that my church meets on the 3rd floor of the 1840s bldg so my dreams can come true

Good luck!!!!!!! I feel your pain

That is a lot for the venue. Does it include tables, chairs and linens? Our venue was only $1900 which included tables, chairs and linens. We used R&R Catering out of Virginia. I'm not sure if they do parties in Baltimore, but their pricing is very reasonable. Not including cocktail hour, the base price for the buffet was $23.95 a head. The food was absolutely amazing.

Why was this thread resurrected?? How far back did you have to go to find this?

Allison

I know two more ways to cut corners for you.

1st. "Sweat Equity" get as much of your family to do things that you would have had to pay people to do

2nd. try to do things yourself (part of #1 but slightly different) such as instead of your florist doing EVERYTHING themselves you could make your own corsages/boutineers and so.

Hope this helps, congratulations on your wedding!! I hope that after the crazyness ends you have an amazing day.

Jeremy Mathiesen

Eternal Wooden Roses

Ignore Jeremy's advice. It's the second time tonight he's suggested a hideous answer to a budgetary question. You don't want your family and friends sweating at your wedding. You want those people enjoying the experience without having someone tap them on the shoulder and telling them that they are needed in the kitchen -- and you certainly don't want them washing dishes or cleaning up after the wedding.

I was also going to say that the rental cost for the venue was higher than you probably should have gone for your budget.

My budget is exactly what yours is for the same amount of people, I am in the boston area but not in the city of boston. I realize that you have looked for a venue that worked for the two of you, hopefully that comes with tables and chairs because that's going to be an additional expense, our venue is $1150 and our catering is $4500 so that price is pretty good and right around what I am spending. I believe that we are looking at about $1000-$1500 for alcohol and ice and sodas prices are going to be different for you though probably.

The biggest way that I was able to save money was to reduce the amount of hours that I hired the photographer for. I was not going to settle and she agreed to do a 1/2 day. Normally her packages start at $3600 and she did the 4 hours for $1800.

We actually originally had a 10k budget but I have resigned myself to the fact that we are pretty much looking at 15k at this point.

@ Allison: I have been to nearly all of the venues, and have worked with MOST of the Caterers in the Baltimore area at this point.

For an affordable, and GREAT Meal for your wedding, I recommend Squires Italian Café. It is a Restaurant in Dundalk. For a wedding with 100 guests, you will spend less than $5,000 and that includes a Buffet with Veggie and Cheese Trays, 3 main entrees, and 3 sides, DESERTS, plenty of server staff, linens, tax, and the gratuity. I think back in 2009 my wedding had a catering cost of about $4,200 through them, and we had a very nice meal. The food is GOOD!

I recommend their Lasagna...Best around! Any of their chicken dishes will compliment the buffet well too! I believe their premium menue is like $36.95 per person, and that is as high as it get's...The menu we went with in 2009 was like $26.95 per person (for the food).

www.squirescafe.com

Call and inquire with them about catering for your wedding I believe Richard Bell is the guy in charge of Catering there. You will have a great meal, and save money on the food (assuming your venue is within 30 miles of Dundalk...they might have a bit higher charge for locations further away.

Another Caterer on the low cost side is Bear Bros Catering. I have worked a number of weddings with them in the past. I think they can accommodate a menu as low as $20 per person. Their food isn't as good as Squires (don't tell the I said that) BUT They are very affordable! (At least they were a few years ago when I worked with them on some weddings)

www.bearbroscatering.com

...Black Tie Caterers is another catering company to look into...They are probably a little more pricey than the previous two that I just mentioned though, but I know they are priced lower than many others in the area. www.blacktiecaterers.com

Putting on the Ritz Caterers are also AWESOME! I also Recommend them, and I don't think they are on the expensive side if you go with one of their budget option menus

http://www.puttingontheritz.com/

So those are my recommendations for budget to mid level Wedding Caterers that won't break the bank

Also, if you need a Fantastic, Experienced Wedding DJ...Contact me

Chiming in, I'm a Baltimore Bride to Be. 15K is reasonable for 100, I'm working 2000 for 14K. Rutting On the Ritz is my choice, cake is not included but they will cut it, plus they will serve your alcohol for you deepening on the location. The Gathering Place in Columbia used POTR and allows you to provide the alcohol, their venue rental is really great.

Absolutely Perfect Catering, Black Tie Catering, and Too Blessed To Be Stressed have fair catering pricing as well. Two can include the cake in your quote, Black Tie will include an open bar, the other two will let you provide the alcohol. Also, try Beefalo Bob's they have really great pricing.

If you're the crafty type, cut cost with DIY items (flowers, decorations, favors & stationary). A photobooth is a cool way to provide entertainment and favors in one cost.