Trying to plan a wedding under $5000... Help!

If you're willing to drive a little, check out the St. Cloud Marina banquet hall. I think their rates are reasonable especially for a weekday rental and the venue is gorgeous!

Don't be set on a venue for under $1,000. Take a look at different types of venues -- banquet halls, parks, restaurants - and then put everything on paper that you need for each venue. We ended up paying a lot for a restaurant reception, but it did not require any additional fees, rentals, tablecloths, etc. We literally just had centerpieces and pew bows. So it was in that sense more cost efficient than having to deal with many vendors, rent everything, buy stuff, etc.

Another great option for a venue is a state park...depending if you are willing to have an outdoor reception. Our total venue cost for Ceremony & Reception was $45. We had a back-up, in case of weather, but did not need to use it.

We would love to help you keep your entertainment budget down. We offer a wide variety of services including Professional Disc Jockeys, Photo Booths, Live Musicians for your ceremony, Officiants, Up Lighting and Custom Monogramming and much more! Please visit our website at http://naturecoastentertainment.com or call us at 800-493-0435. We proudly serve Tampa, Orlando and the Nature Coast of Florida and we never have any travel or set up fees!

The Harry P Leu Gardens is a beautiful location! However, it does require you to use one of six caterers listed on their website if you are having your reception there. You may want to check out the pricing on the caterers if you are trying to keep your costs down and make sure they fit into your budget as well.

Mary, you can do it! It will take much more prioritizing but if you keep in mind that a wedding is about celebrating two people in love not the fancy details things will flow much smoother. That being said, there are TONS of venues in the Orlando area for under $1000! Check out my favorites: Winter Park Country Club, Winter Park Garden Club House, and Leu Gardens, too! Also check out It's Tasty Too for cakes ( I use them for my personal cakes). I think they have the best rates in town. =)

Good luck and have FUN!

It can be done! We work with many budget minded brides and you'd be surprised how much can be accomplished with great planning & bargain hunting!

First off, prioritize. What do YOU want most from the wedding? The rest is fluff. A lot of people will tell you to cut your guest list or use a backyard, but unless both those ideas already sound great to you, they are worthless and will only stress you out more. Decide what your top 5 priorities are at your wedding, then skimp elsewhere.

We're doing our wedding for less than $6500 in Southern California and we were told we're insane to think that is doable.

I wanted a venue that was gorgeous, great food, and meaningful keepsakes for my guests. I was also not willing to skimp on what I would wear etc. What mattered less to me: Flowers, decorations, Make up and hair (I do my own everyday, and I can certainly find a friend to do it free if necessary).

In the wedding industry you tend to pay a lot for the "experience." For example, unless you are a fashion enthusiasts who needs to be catered to when dress shopping, you can find a SMOKING deal on designer gowns online.

My 2 girlfriends are also getting married this year. The three of us have New dresses by Maggie Sottero, They averaged $1500 for their dresses, mine was less than $100 because I shopped online and because it is a couple of seasons old. Maybe I am crazy, but I don't follow wedding dresses close enough to realize the difference between a 2010 and a 2012 dress and my guess is most your guests won't either and it will save a bundle.

The bulk of my budget went to my location. I booked somewhere completely unweddingingy for a wedding. Just wanted something beautiful that would feel like a vacation. So for half what a "cheap" wedding costs on average, I have a beautiful Inn in the woods with a view and sleeping space for 30 people.

When you are upfront about your budget constraints people will choose to work with you, or to turn you down. Don't be married to any one thing, but don't lower your standards if the first place you like says no.

Leu Gardens is a beautiful venue!!

I also did an outdoor venue with a cocktail hour instead of a sit down dinner. I did open seating to avoid the cost and trouble of seating and table cards. I did a DIY bar with a cool rustic barrel for the bottled beers and then we did boxed wine in these great dispenser: https://www.etsy.com/listing/122270805/box-wine-barrel-dispenser-with-letters , that saved us bartender cost and saved on wine! It is definitely doable!!

It's November 2017 and I cant find anything at all in New York. I'm trying to find a venue that will allow me to do the catering and bring my own alcohol myself. I would be doing everything for my niece's whose wedding I'm working on a budget of $10K total. Any direction is grately appreciated. HUGE THANKS

What state are you getting married in?

I am sure I am echoing a lot of people, but start with a small guest list. From there try to figure out the type of event you want, a big hall, an exquisite place? a park maybe? Unusual places are usually less expensive. Shop around and make sure to access all the possibilities. It is possible if you avoid tons of extras and a huge guest list.