Does anyone have any ideas on arranging a wedding for 200-250 guests on a budget?

Question

I would like and my ceremony and reception held @ the same place, ceremony outdoor, reception having an indoor through to outdoor flow. We are pacific islanders, so their needs to plenty of food and drinks (preferably non-alcohol). My wedding party will probably consist of 7 bridesmaid and 7 groomsmen. We are in Auckland so pricing needs to really good. Our wedding is in December, so a summer wedding at that. I would like heaps of photos taken, as I believe this is going to be the best day of my life. So basically everything needs to be on a budget. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

Yes!  I don't know of any specific place where you can do it, but once you rent the hall, you can ask the wedding party to find dress clothing in a certain color sceme - something they could wear more than once.  Something that says 'wedding party' and sets them aside from the guests, but something that is low-cost.  I would also divide your guest list into four categories and maybe send color coded cards to each of them.  On these cards (example) the guests with the pink cards can make an appetizer dish and write the recipe on it for you.  the guests with the blue card can make the entre dish and write the recipe, the guests with the yellow cards can make the drinks or just provide them, and the guests with the purple cards can make the desserts and write the recipes on them.  Then, you can instruct them to bring food dishes instead of presents.  That way, food is taken care of, you have plenty of food left (or people can take some home, or the wedding party can do that as a thank you gift).  as for 'thank you' gifts to the guests for coming, you can maybe make sure that each guest gets a flower from the wedding itself?  That would pay for the flowers and get rid of them at the same time.  And it would be a nice keepsake.  

You could ask other friends to do certain picture assignments for you: friend A could take pictures of the food dishes before they are cut open and served - crediting whoever made it  Friend B could take pictures of the wedding party and immediate family membes Friend C could take pictures of the various guests at various tables. This is all I can think of

Answer 2

My advice is to find a small hotel or bed & breakfast in your area. Most places have cute gardens for an outdoor ceremony and a large dining room or cottage or something to have the reception in. And you might even be able to get a room for you or your guests! Many B&Bs are used to doing weddings and have really nice packages that includes all sorts of useful services like dinner service and clean-up.

That's what I'm doing for my (much smaller) wedding. Good luck!

Answer 3

how about doing it in a park...many of them have nice building that can be rented...the wedding could be in one of those most open to a large cozy lawn maybe even overlooking the water.  this would be great for pics and indoor outdoor access

Answer 4

For photos- ask at a local college or university that does photography courses if any students would be willing to take photos at the wedding for a discounted rate (many are happy to do this as they can add the photos to their folios when they are going for jobs). Many of your guests will also bring cameras and take photos.

As for the food- having a cocktail-style reception, with finger food, punch, etc. is much cheaper than a sit-down meal. However, if you still want the guests to have plenty to eat maybe you could try for a buffet-style reception, where the guests still get to have a meal but it is less expensive than a formal 3 course meal.

You could rent a hall/garden and do everything yourself (or order catering) or you could have it at a reception venue where they do everything for you. I suggest searching "wedding venues Auckland" on google and seeing what you find, or checking local wedding guides.

http://www.venuehire.co.nz/auckland-wedd...

Answer 5

How do you want your wedding to "feel"?

Casual? and Relaxed?

Formal? or Semi-formal?

What time of day?

What type of venue? beach? barn? wedding hall?

Answers to these questions might help us help you with your budget...there are many ways to keep costs down if you go less formal.