Venue pricing and food

My venue is very inclusive (I'm getting married on a boat) and includes almost everything. The only vendor I have to hire is a photographer. The total for the venue is about $5,000, including food, drinks, bouquets/bouts, coordinator, and cake. For 40 adults, no children. I chose to have my wedding in the morning on a Sunday (what I wanted anyway) and got it for a cheaper price because of that. I don't know how many people you plan on inviting but I think your budget sounds reasonable, depending on where you are. Good luck.

Our budget is around $****. Ceremony is $100, and reception is $150. I am making all decorations for both venues. Most of our budget will be food. Cake is being made by a friend and she is giving us a discount. Still need to find a photographer.

Daughter's wedding venue is $1500, but includes tables, chairs, tablecloths, many decorations, set up and take down. Also includes a coordinator there. This is just for the reception. Venue holds up to 160 people.

Daughter & fiance wanted a church ceremony, so that was an additional venue cost of about $800, with officiant, janitor, coordinator, and organist.

Catering is $20/person; this is in the Midwest. Buffet dinner with 2 entrees per person. Additional for servers and gratuities.

Additional venue costs are hiring a bartender and a security person while bar is open. These are required by law in their area, but are not that expensive.

The bride & groom will be paying for the alcohol (bringing in their own) separately.

When you figure the cost of a venue, it is important to consider what is included in the pricing.

Our venue is $1,250 + a little over $100pp for catering (not including alcohol). I got some way crazier quotes like $6,000 for just the space, tables, and chairs - but them’s the breaks when you’re having a peak season wedding in the city.

Venue - $1000 (5 hour weekday rental with 2 hours of setup and 1 hour of tear down, tables, chairs, ceremony and reception sites, and access to all parts of the grounds/buildings for photos.

Our weekday food/bev minimum is $3,000, and we should be coming in just a little over that before taxes, service fees and tips are factored in. Altogether, we are spending about $6,000 on the venue, catering and bar for 45 guests.

ETA: Staff, dishes, basic linens etc. are of course included in the catering and venue costs.

I chose a venue that is apart of our county park system. Its a lodge/barn like setting for $300 per day. That doesn't include anything other than tables and chairs for approx. 175 people though. My original target budget was 5k for 135-40 guests but its been expanded to 7.5k recently because 5k wasn't realistic. I am sure when it is all said and down it will be more. So I am trying to utilize personal connections to cut cost down on some rentals etc. I only budgeted about 1-1.5k on decorations/linens/centerpieces/misc rentals. Everything else will be for the catering, bar, and photographer. I know everyone wants an extravagant day but you can do as little or as much as you want just make sure its for you! Honestly venues that just charge per head for food and include service are the best in my opinion if you want to avoid DIY. If the venue makes you use their catering/bar I think the space shouldn't cost to rent.

Our food and beverage minimum is $3500, but we are inviting 80 people and it will come out to about $5000 with food, booze, etc.

We are also having the ceremony there, which is an additional $500, but I think your budget is totally doable if you have a reasonable guest list, and look at ways to cut costs. We are saving money by having our wedding on a Sunday and doing a brunch menu, which is $45 a person vs. $80 for dinner!