Simple Wedding for a cheap couple
September 15, 2010 5:13 AM Subscribe
It is that time and we are looking for an inexpensive wedding venue. Ideally a B&B somewhere in NC or VA. We don't want to have to pay $4000 just for the venue. Details inside.
We will not be having a large reception. Just an intimate seated dinner following a small ceremony with max 30-35 guests. The guests will all be coming in from out of town, so it would be nice to have them be able to stay in one place. We would like a picturesque outdoor ceremony and ideally the dinner would be outdoors as well, but could be indoors if needed. The guests will pay for their own lodging. We are trying to keep our venue/ catering budget under $2000. We want to keep everything simple. We will handle decorations and flowers (which in a nice looking place we won't really need). The catering can be in house or we can bring someone in. Fire away!
We will not be having a large reception. Just an intimate seated dinner following a small ceremony with max 30-35 guests. The guests will all be coming in from out of town, so it would be nice to have them be able to stay in one place. We would like a picturesque outdoor ceremony and ideally the dinner would be outdoors as well, but could be indoors if needed. The guests will pay for their own lodging. We are trying to keep our venue/ catering budget under $2000. We want to keep everything simple. We will handle decorations and flowers (which in a nice looking place we won't really need). The catering can be in house or we can bring someone in. Fire away!
Response by poster: Oh, and most likely in May...
posted by MayNicholas at 5:45 AM on September 15, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 5:45 AM on September 15, 2010
Best answer: May in VA/NC means the Blue Ridge Parkway! Weddings are a specialty.
posted by headnsouth at 6:08 AM on September 15, 2010
posted by headnsouth at 6:08 AM on September 15, 2010
My cousin got married at a B&B in Scottsville, I think. (Somewhere about 20 miles south of Charlottesville.) I am trying to remember exactly where it was, but failing (this was in 1997 :P). My best guess would be the Chester.
Their small wedding package says that it costs $3850, but that includes two nights of lodging for 10 guests. Even if their block rate was half of their listed lowest price, that would bring you close to your $2000 limit. But if you want a weekend next May, you'd better act reeeeeally fast.
Note: my cousin's wedding had about 30 people, and we couldn't all stay together. But I was perfectly happy in Charlottesville, which was a really fun town, and the drive was beautiful.
posted by Madamina at 6:12 AM on September 15, 2010
Their small wedding package says that it costs $3850, but that includes two nights of lodging for 10 guests. Even if their block rate was half of their listed lowest price, that would bring you close to your $2000 limit. But if you want a weekend next May, you'd better act reeeeeally fast.
Note: my cousin's wedding had about 30 people, and we couldn't all stay together. But I was perfectly happy in Charlottesville, which was a really fun town, and the drive was beautiful.
posted by Madamina at 6:12 AM on September 15, 2010
My parents own a bed and breakfast in Richmond, VA. It's called The Kensington. It's reasonable and don't tell my mom I told you, but she'll neogtiate if you do it in a friendly way. My parents are fun and not uptight. If you call, you can tell her Katie sent you :)
posted by orsonet at 6:53 AM on September 15, 2010
posted by orsonet at 6:53 AM on September 15, 2010
I had a similar sort of wedding at The Inn at Old Virginia, which is in Staunton, Virginia (very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway!). It's a lovely inn, though it may be difficult to book enough rooms for that many folks. If they still have the same chef, their food is amazing too. They have a little app that lets you put in your requirements and get back an approximate cost; I'm afraid I don't recall how much ours cost, so it may be outside your range. That said, if it does fit in your budget, I highly recommend it; the people are great, the food was great, and the accommodations are lovely.
If all your folks can't fit in the Inn there, I do know there are quite a few nice places to stay that are pretty close by in Staunton.
posted by ashirys at 7:03 AM on September 15, 2010
If all your folks can't fit in the Inn there, I do know there are quite a few nice places to stay that are pretty close by in Staunton.
posted by ashirys at 7:03 AM on September 15, 2010
Best answer: Try the venue finder at intimateweddings.com. I haven't used that feature but I've gotten good wisdom from the blog as I plan my own wedding.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 7:11 AM on September 15, 2010
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 7:11 AM on September 15, 2010
Best answer: Check out state parks; I had a 40-person wedding on the beach of Lake Michigan for $50 (permit fee for <5>
To keep expenses down, stay away from using the word "wedding" when you're talking to hotels and restaurants as it makes a lot of assumptions kick in and prices increase. Say you're planning a party with a sit-down dinner.
This advice is assuming you're not looking for an all-in-one package thing.
posted by bookdragoness at 9:06 AM on September 15, 2010
To keep expenses down, stay away from using the word "wedding" when you're talking to hotels and restaurants as it makes a lot of assumptions kick in and prices increase. Say you're planning a party with a sit-down dinner.
This advice is assuming you're not looking for an all-in-one package thing.
posted by bookdragoness at 9:06 AM on September 15, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you for the suggestions! We are also looking in to Natural Bridge since they have an inn on premise.
posted by MayNicholas at 4:43 AM on September 16, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 4:43 AM on September 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by MayNicholas at 5:29 AM on September 15, 2010