Why is everything so expensive!?

Weddings are expensive, but worth it if you create long life memories!

Look for things that aren't specifically designated for weddings

My quote for a 40' x 60' tent was $1,800. You are getting a steal at $800. $100 a table is highway robbery though. That should be no more than $10.00

A medium size/low end food and alcohol wedding is more expensive in a backyard because the numbers do not balance. The savings on venue cost (this includes the hidden markup fee for food and bar prices through their contracts) to instead rent everything has to be a lot more than the cost of food and alcohol at a venue.

I am actually saving money doing a backyard wedding. However, that comes from having a deluxe bar and catering. I calculated that to have the super high end bar and food at a rented venue would cost me an extra $10-15k, while the rentals such as tent, tables, chairs, and a freaking bathroom trailer are $8,000. Spending less than $8,000 on food and alcohol would make having the backyard wedding a poor financial decision. I also chose to do it at my parent's home for sentimental reasons, which can affect your decisions based on the numbers.

Small?!!???????? Weren't you having a 200-300 guest count? That's not small. @Rachel S.'s budget looks pretty realistic to me.

We wanted to do an outdoor wedding at my parents house but the cost was double than having it at the venue we currently have. Outdoors weddings are expensive.

@Rachelphotog

My DW is going to be cheaper by a fair amount compared to that. I am actually astonished.

You can joke all you want about weddings being more expensive than other parties but it's true, and it's true for a very good reason.

As soon as you say wedding EVERYONE'S expectations (including yours) go up; it's really insulting and inaccurate in most cases to insinuate that JUST because it's a wedding, you vendors plot to screw you. We don't. That's why we're still in business.

You will not require a cake tasting for a birthday cake, nor will you bring inspiration photos and burst into tears if it's not right.

You will not have four consultations with your florist for centerpieces for a birthday party. You'll tell them you colors and your price and be done with it.

A wedding is a (ideally) once in a lifetime event that has been anticipated, in may cases, for years. Everything has to be perfect.

Backyard weddings are never cheaper and your tent price is scary cheap.