Venue help!

$3k may be possible for a very limited guest list, probably no more than 50. Would you consider a small, intimate ceremony and dinner at a nice restaurant afterward? Many restaurants have private rooms that you can rent out for an evening, that way you could still have dancing, toasts, cake cutting, etc.

I'm from MA too and we had that same head spinning reaction as well, things can definitely get pretty pricey here! I think it's doable, but it also depends on what kind of wedding you want/your style, how many people, the specific city, etc. Have you guys ever thought of looking into VFW/American Legion posts? There are some really nice ones that are usually much cheaper than banquet hall type of venues. I also agree with the PP about restaurants, definitely something that could be awesome and that you should look into. I'd also say to keep searching and talking with venues, sometimes they are willing to work with you and make a customized type of package.

I'm from LA, and I had the same issues, venues are outrageous!! It's really all about guest count!! It can definitely be done but you definitely won't be able to have more than 50 guests, maybe less. Also, having the wedding on a weekday or Sunday can really drop the price alot!! Having it during off season will also drop the price alot!! I don't know about MA but in LA off season is July and August because it's so hot down here. Another thing is I don't know but try to look in smaller surrounding cities instead of big cities, this should help alot too!! My wedding is 38 minutes on the interstate away from the city we live in and just that small distance helped to drop the price down!! My FH and I are paying for everything ourselves so we booked the date 2 years in advance so we would have plenty of time to save up and pay for everything. I also shopped around alot!! Looking at over 65 venues online and 25 in person until I found the a venue with the most stuff for the cheapest price while still having it look elegant and classy!! It will be tough, but it can be done!!
Good Luck we everything!! I'm sure your wedding will be amazing!!

Ss you mentioned $3000 is a tight budget, especially since you want that to include the venue, food and beverages. But it’s doable. However, to make it work best, you’ll have to be open to being very creative and also having a very small guest count for an intimate wedding.

View Quoted Comment I’ve been looking but my biggest issue is that I live in Boston, and most of my family does too. His family lives in Texas and Colorado and Maine so we can really go too far out /:

Is the 3000 just for venue, food and beverage? Do you have another amount budgeted for vendors.?

View Quoted Comment Honestly we don’t really need a ton of vendors. I’m teally not a huge fan of flowers, we know a photographer, a videographer and a dj who all offered to do it for a very very discounted rate or for free. We’re diy-ing our decorations. Our only real expenses are the venue, food, drink, attire and the rings.

long story short that’s what we agreed on for a venue budget for us

How many guests are you looking to have?

View Quoted Comment Our list is around 50!

Have you considered a restaurant wedding? Typically, there is no charge for the venue at all, so long as you're buying the food from them. And restaurant prices aren't that different from catering prices.

View Quoted Comment A lot of restaurants have a “buyout fee” on top of the food. And dancing is a huge part of what I want my reception to be.

Have you looked into state parks/gardens? And then hiring out catering, ect I'm in CT and some of the state parks we looked at ranged from $100-350 to host a ceremony&reception.

View Quoted Comment Excellent! Sounds like you’re good to go

View Quoted Comment I’ve found a lot of state parks won’t allow alcohol and a lot don’t allow music

Depending on where in MA you are, I would consider Wright’s farm in RI! I’m going to view the venue Sunday, it’s a little more than you’re looking for budget wise but their price INCLUDES gratuities and tax! $4,600 includes the space, meals, linens, wine toast, a bridal suite, bar staff, cake cutting, display easels, and a coordinator, and I mentioned before but INCLUDING TAX AND GRATUITIES!! And that’s for up to 225 people!! We were trying to keep the guest list under 100 to keep a small budget, but found even with the cheapest of options it still wasn’t cutting it. From the pictures it’s definitely not “glamorous”, but can easily be dressed up!

If you are around the Malden area. The JACKSON hall on commerce street, right across the stop and shop has a pretty nice size hall, which you can rent for about $600 dollars for 4 hours +2hours for decoration. We used them for our son's communion last year. The fee does not include food or drink but they do have a bar set up. I don't remember what the bar fee was exactly.

I actually have a list of places that fit you budget.

Gerarions Hall
knights of Columbus Nanhunt (venu is 300 bucks)
emerlad Hall in Abington (get married on a Friday everything included for 3,000 with a 100 guest count)

Have you checked out the Garden House at Look Park? I have heard they are reasonable with price. I think they me be close to your budget

http://www.lookpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/garden-house-inquiry-packet.pdf

Anything is possible. How many guests do you have? If you get married at a public place say the beach or a park you only would have to pay your officiant. Then you could rent a VFW or a hall. Most restaurants have function rooms as well. You could do a backyard wedding and rent a room as well. Good luck and congratulations