Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

Fyre Posted: Dec 13, 2007 09:42 AM

Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

Hi everyone,
My FH and I are trying to decide if it's more feasable to have our wedding here in NY where we are both now livng (FH is originally from Alabama and came up, found a job, and now doesn't want to leave!).
He is executive chef in a restaurant, and we would probably be able to get a discount on having what will probably be our small wedding celebration there.
However, I have found alot else to be expensive. To be honest the idea of a Vegas package wedding appeals to me, as it's all taken care of for us, and it's inexpensive-however with that it's the airfare and lodging as well.
A nice wedding but affordable is what we are looking for, but the prices seem to run into the thousands, and we don't have that sort of money to lay out on cakes, flowers, etc.

Does anyone have any ideas? We probably would have our dinner/reception at the restaurant he works at, but ceremony site, cake, etc is still up in the air.

Thanks,
Fyre

oOElisaOo Posted: Dec 13, 2007 09:54 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

Hi! I just sent you FM.

Eternalyyourz Posted: Dec 13, 2007 09:58 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

i dont think so... I really really really wanted to have a nice wedding on a low budget.... but I dont think it is possible! Everything just keeps adding up!!

skinny237 Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:04 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

Define small? Approximately how much or how many people?

vika111 Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:10 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

What exactly are you looking for? What's the approximate budget? For the price of airfare and accommodations in Vegas (for more than 2 ppl, I assume) may be similar to the price of a simple wedding in NY. Mine was on a budget & we held it in Brooklyn.
Also, it may be cheaper on a weeknight instead of a Saturday or Sunday. Consider something off season.

ammie1016 Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:11 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

Mine in under 25K

Sunday's are cheaper. Plus its before a holiday and most people have off. YEA

davenjess Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:12 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

yes, please share your budget..that'll enable us to help a lot more!

my budget is 15k and we're paying for everything ourselves except for: part of the video, flowers and my dress.

MayWeddingGrl Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:17 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

I have sent you FM.

DeeluvsVinny Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:18 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

My friend had a wonderful wedding for 115 people for under 15K. lots of places offer packages. we need more ideas on what you're looking for...

RKellner Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:20 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

Anything is possible....
Im not sure how to help you for vendors... Since you want to have your reception at his restaurant...
If you didnt have it at the restaurant that he works at, you could always go to RH that have all inclusive packages....
Where I am getting married my package includes EVERYTHING and its 8995 which is REALLY cheap!
You just have to pick a date that is in off season.... Sundays are ALWAYS cheaper and if you do a sunday morning type affair itll be alot cheaper....

diva7531 Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:26 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

You can absolutelt have a wedding on a small budget. The package in Vegas is what it is, you ever hear the saying you get what you pay for. Have the celebration at your FH's resteraunt. Use candle CP's instead of flowers. Is the rest wired for sound? You can programan IPODto have a music playlist. All you need is a photog. But different kinds of cakes instead of one big one. It is totally feasible. You just have to make it what you ant, not what other people expect.

Fyre Posted: Dec 13, 2007 10:52 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

We're definately trying to keep it under $3000.
What we have decided to do if we have it here is have it Sunday from 12-3, and since they restaurant is fairly quiet at that time, it wouldn't be a problem.
We are still adding up the people we want to invite, but there probably won't be that many. FH's family are in Alabama, and we doubt they would travel up here for a wedding.
We are pagan folk, so a 'church' wedding, unless it was Unitarian Universalists are out. I wish we knew a nice non denominational minister/officiant to marry us for nothing, but that just isnt' how it works! We don't know anyone here, that way, but have looked up some officiants, and they mainly charge around $500.00, which just sounds like alot to me.
We are debating having the ceremony there, although FH would love to have ceremony outdoors.
I can't and truthfully, when I think about it, wouldn't want a completely traditional wedding, we want something small, intimate and sort of fun.
We know someone who's a neighbor we plan on asking to attend and do the karoke for us...we feel we would of course pay him for his time...it means alot to us that he be there, and yes, the restaurant is wired for sound.
Thanks for all the help,
Fyre

Dani731 Posted: Dec 13, 2007 11:01 AM

Re: Is it possible to have a NY/LI wedding on a small budget?

You can get a judge to marry you for free or for a very low fee $50 - $100. My boss got married on the low & she went to his court to get married, but he said that he would travel to any local location to marry couples free of charge because he does not believe in charging to marry people. I have his card somewhere. If I find it i will FM you his info. This is judge from Nassau courts. Very nice man.