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Beginner October 2023

Venue or Restaurant?

Aisa, on September 21, 2019 at 7:42 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 8
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Hey everyone!

I'm reading through all of these forums and bow my brain is starting to get confused on the best option for my wedding. We only have about 45-50 guests (all verbal confirmations since it's so far out), and we already put a deposit on a beautiful venue. But now that I'm thinking, is a big venue costing around $3700 worth it for the wedding/reception for only 45ish guests? The total for everything, including the catering, cake, etc will be about $****, depending on what the photographer costs.
So, is spending $8500 a normal thing for a small wedding/reception? Should we start considering a small wedding ceremony and then maybe a restaurant reception? I'd love to have the wedding and the reception in the venue we picked because it is private and I can customize the decor and have the DJ, etc.
But is it a little overboard to spend that much for such a small group of people for only about 5-6 hours?
Thoughts?

8 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on September 23, 2019 at 4:49 PM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    If you can afford the venue wedding, I would stick with it. I don't think there's any such thing as going overboard just because of your guest count. If anything, it means that you can host your guests even better. If spending the $8500 is going to overextend you financially, maybe consider a change of plans.

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  • C
    Dedicated September 2019
    Cardioqueen ·
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    I think if you can afford it you should keep the venue you love. A restaurant wedding could be great, but it sounds like you really love this venue and want the ability to customize everything.

    I am doing a cocktail hour the night before my wedding with about 40-50 guests so I researched local restaurants a bit. In my area a lot of the restaurants that can accommodate that large of a group have a sky-high bar minimum — so I’m not sure how much you’d really be able to save.

    That said, maybe it would be a good idea to do a walk through at a restaurant or two to see if it’s a good option? Maybe they are more customizable than you think?
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  • Chandra
    Master May 2019
    Chandra ·
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    We spent about $13k for a wedding with just over 50 guests.
    It really just boils down to your vision of your wedding and what you can afford.
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  • Keri
    Expert November 2019
    Keri ·
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    $8500 seems completely reasonable for 50 guests. I'd keep the venue. You probably would only save $1000 or so and wouldn't have the same wedding vibe with decor and decorations.

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  • Amanda
    Master December 2020
    Amanda ·
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    I'd say stick woth the venue because thats a lot of people for a resturaunt and you may add more people a long your planning time. I have about 85 guests I'm inviting expecting 70 or less to come, and we have a 10k venue then 2k photographer and the other 8k budget is honeymoon and extras like dress, rings, etc. At a resturaunt you wont get a DJ with personalized music, you can't usually set it up with florals and stuff like a wedding, etc.
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  • Watts
    Super March 2020
    Watts ·
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    We are spending about 10k for 60. It's a restaurant/venue. It's absolutely beautiful and it's worth it. You deserve the wedding you always envisioned even if it's small. I keep panicking because I'm spending a house down payment on one day 😲 if you can afford it, do it!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    If you love your venue, but would like to save a little, would a Fri or Sun evening (or Sunday brunch) cost less? You could save 30-50%.

    If it’s in your budget, go for it. We spent about $14K for our wedding with 15 guests, and about $14K for our local reception for 50 guests.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Do you want dancing? If not, I think a restaurant is fine. If you do, I'd look for an actual venue.

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