How can I plan a wedding for 100 people for under 5k? in NYC? PLEASE HELP!?

Question

I am getting married soon, but we're a little short on cash!

Does any one know how I can plan a wedding for 100 people for under 5k in NYC?

PLEASE HELP!

THanks in advance!!

Answer 1

Here are tips to keep the costs low:
-Purchase a dress that has been discontinued (found at small bridal shops occasionally), a dress at a consignment shop, or purchase a used dress.
-Have a buffet, or heavier appetizers
-Have a cash bar, or no bar at all
-Consider serving only cake, small snacks, and some drinks
-DJ's are usually cheaper than a band, but shop around to get the best deal
-Limit the guest list as much as possible
-Make your own invitations on the computer to save; many craft stores sell beautiful paper to make computerized wedding invites
-Minimize flowers as much as possible (use candles as centerpieces)
-Have your ceremony in someone's backyard
-Have fewer bridesmaids and groomsmen, and eliminate the flower girl and ring bearer altogether
-Have an unconventional wedding in an unconventional location (ex. in an old barn, or in a field, or in a park)
-Use your friends and family members whenever possible (is someone good with the booze? have them bartend...does someone have a green thumb? have them make the flower arrangements...etc.)
-Buy wedding supplies in bulk
-Set up a dessert table rather than having a cake...you can buy a few cakes at a local bakery rather than having a $500 wedding cake
-Check rates for other seasons than summer, and other days than saturday because they will often be different and cheaper
-Try seeing if you have a shop in town where you can rent a wedding gown

Answer 2

In NYC? That may be impossible. Weddings are 25-50K on Long Island and that is to start - in NYC even higher. Here are some ideas - I don't know if they will bring you over 5000 but here goes.

See if you can rent some loft space. You may be able to rent some cheaply for an afternoon. Other places may be church halls. You may want to look outside of NYC to try and save money. Think VFW halls, and Elks Lodges. I don't know where you are going to find space alone for under 5000 let alone do up the whole wedding. Good Luck.

Also, if you are not picky on a date - call up catering halls. People cancel weddings and they are stuck with the date then. If you can plan a wedding in a month you may be able to get some deals (but probably not 5000)

Answer 3

In NYC that may be difficult, but I'm sure it can be done. I am budget shopper extrodinaire!!

Rent a hall or church basement

Better yet, try for a friend or family memeber's backyard

Don't use flower except in your bouquet. Candles are very inexpensive and have the same romatical feel. (my wedding was all candles accept for my bouquet and a little wreath around my bridesmaids candle holder) You can get them at any craft store or walmart for .68 a piece and then a votive holder or jar filled with clear rocks for $2.00 a piece.

Get your cake made at a local grocer instead of a name bakery. You can have a cake made for 100 people for around $500

Have your wedding mid day (between 2p and 5p) so people wont expect a lot of food. Have finger foods and appetizers. Serve 100 for less than $700.

Cake - $400
Food - $700
Decor - $100
Backyard - $Free
Dress - $300 (David's Bridal, or many bridal stores have nice dresses for under $500)
Invitations - $500
Photographer - $500 -$1000 (or have a family or friend take photos for you)
DJ/Music - $1000

Total - around $4000 add a location you might be just above $5000

Answer 4

Maybe if you are a graduate of a college in NYC, you can call up to see if you can rent a room, but even catering on that budget in NYC will be tough.

I gave up on a NYC wedding and had one instead in northern NJ. The price for the room was just too much even before catering. My wedding was still about triple your budget. I had 5 hour reception with open bar and cocktail hour, and sit down dinner.

There also is a place in Staten island you can take a ferry to from Manhattan, I just have no details on price or remember the name.

I think on your budget maybe you can find a restaurant with music and try that.

Answer 5

i do not know how expensive it is in other cities but so far i have a wedding going on for 500 people and im trying to keep it under 7000 so far...so i figure you have less people so its easily done...

The food is normally what eats up most of ur money so try and look for different caterers...locally i found a lot of peple that cater for under $6 a plate. You should try the same. I do not know what kind of food u want but u just have to keep in mind that u are on a budget. Most mexican restarants serve brisket...whats wrong with that?

do you own a house? or have a family member that does ? myabe the grooms family? girl you can ask for them to lend you their house. Find a cheap place that can rent you out tables and chairs. You can create a romantic setting by using rose petals and candles which is what was advised to me.

I hope you get all the help you need!! Also consider looking at theknot.com and weddingchannel.com they have budget systems that might help best wishes!!

Answer 6

You could have your wedding at a church.

If you shop wisely, you'll be able to get all that you need for the amount of cash that you have and won't have to borrow.

I live in Maryland and we have a dollor store here that is awesome.

You could buy invitations, decorations and dishes all for a buck

You must have great taste to start out with of course or else everything will look cheap.

How about looking through a magazine on weddings, picking out what you want, and have a friend or parent help find the same items but at discount prices.

Good luck

Answer 7

I'm a budget bride queen and even I say 100 for 5k is gonna be almost impossible. (at least if you insist on NYC) Consider dropping the guest list a little.

Perhaps potluck in the backyard or cater it yourself....the food bill is what will really eat your budget up.

If you can, have the wedding in a suburb outside city limits. You'd be surpised how much diff. twenty miles can make in prices.

The more formal you make it the more expensive it will be.

Answer 8

Start off by doing alot of the work yourself. Go to dollar stores, get wedding items there and alter them to fit your colors/theme. Check into city or local parks, usually there fee is alot less than some places. I have been married twice, had a church wedding both times, tuxs, dresses, whole nine yards, and did it all for under $700. let me know if you need anymore ideas, I'll be glad to help You can do alot with 5K

Answer 9

I am not sure that this will help. But , here goes....
get married in a family church and use their reception hall. Or get married at a family or friends home, make your own food to feed the quest. buy your dress online,make your own centerpieces, buy the flowers at a local one dollar store or have a family friend to send you some from a dollar tree, they also have the blocks that you stick the flowers into. Do not hire a planner or do and make sure that they know what your budget is from the start. NY ?hmmm going to be hard to stay within your budget . yet these things mentioned above should be of some help!
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

What I did for my wedding, which something you could do and some of it I got lucky.
I had a friend who catered, I went to Sam's Warehouse and bought the food. We did appetizers and not a dinner.
All of my flower arrangements myself bought fake flowers from a craft store.
I worked at a pub so I was able to barter some work to have the reception there. I got lucky for that.
All the other decorations Did with friends.
My mother made my wedding cake.

Hopefully this can help you out