While making Monday’s post, I noticed that I had a blog comment waiting for moderation. It was from someone named Natasha and she was asking some great questions about the Berkeley. I approved the comment and then went to answer it but I couldn’t find it anywhere. So I’m going to paraphrase Natasha’s questions here and answer them now.
Natasha is interested in having her wedding at the Berkeley but she has a budget of $20,000. She was wondering if the Berkeley would do a cocktail-style reception and if that would cut her costs.
The Berkeley certainly will do a cocktail-style reception but I don’t know exactly how much that would drop the cost. I know we tried playing around with our food costs and things didn’t budge as much as we would have thought though we are having a sit down dinner so that does make things a little different. I think the Berkeley does have a minimum food cost (at least for weddings) and if you want to use them you need to meet it.
That being said, I think Natasha should figure out what she’s comfortable paying for her venue/food costs, present that figure to the Berkeley and see what can be done.
As we experienced first hand, doing a wedding at that venue for $20,000 is tough but it could be done and here’s some tips on how that could happen:
- Have it on a Friday
- Have a cash bar
- Have your wedding cake double as the dessert
- Get a reasonably priced dress
- Have the wedding night at home
- No limos
- No DJ/live music
- Get hair and makeup done/paid for as a gift
- Simple DIY invites
- Simple everything else
- Follows some of the advice mentioned on these sites
The good thing about the Berkeley is that it doesn’t need much in terms of décor and its florist, Jennifer from Flower Girls, is great at working with small budgets. So I wouldn’t worry about the flower budget.
The photo budget on the other hand, well, maybe Natasha has a friend who’s a photographer.
In all honestly, I think Natasha could pull off her wedding at the Berkeley if she could get the venue at about $13,000 or less. I don’t know if the Berkeley would go for that number but as the saying goes, it never hurts to ask.
Natasha, you certainly can have a wedding at the Berkeley for $20,000. I am working with an $18,000 budget and am getting married in the Field House this November. We are having a cocktail reception on a Friday evening in the off season, which dramatically cut the costs. For us, throwing a great party in a beautiful location with delicious food was what was most important, so that's where we spent our budget. You can save in other places; look for a great deal on a dress, have a small wedding party (we have only one witness each) to save on flowers and other costs associated with attendants, check out Martha Stewart's online templates for wicked invitations. When it comes to wedding planning, especially on a budget, it's all about priorities. Decide what's important to you, forget about what's not and I guarantee you'll get the wedding of your dreams.
ReplyDeleteAnd, last note, the Berkeley is absolutely willing to work with you to create your perfect day on your budget. Call them! You'll be surprised.