Does anyone have any $ saving tips on how to throw a cheap wedding reception? I need to find a place fast!?

I already have and paid for the dress, the cake is being taken care of as well ( mother in law ) I found a church to do it for $150 flat but where I am having a problem is where the heck am I going to have my reception. We are using our economic stimulus. checks to get married. Our budget is $1,200. the church and marriage license fee's have to come out of that money as well. I found flowers @ walmart and we are doing all of our own flowers. My boss is going to work out a deal with me for food because I work for a restaurant that he owns. I need a location is what I need and for cheap. I need some tips on like where to call I live in Bradenton Florida but just like suggestions of places that you might try that you know wouldn't cost much. ANY leads will be helpful I am running out of time. Thank you in advance and if you have any other questions I will make sure and keep up on this to answer you ASAP if I left anything out. THANK YOU SOO MUCH if you help and please help if you can =)

Does anyone have any $ saving tips on how to throw a cheap wedding reception? I need to find a place fast!?
Hey girl, I'm in B'ton too! The rates around here suck don't they? Since you didn't say what day of the week it'll be or how many people, I threw together a bunch of places I thought might be the least expensive, but yet still pretty. I'd try all the bed %26amp; breakfast inns, and lodges/resorts on Annamaria. If all else fails, there is that Moose Lodge on Annamaria on Gulf drive by the Beach House. These all look pretty expensive, and most places only allow specific caterers. Another idea is to look up/google as many caterers as you can in our area, and see where they cater. That will give you an idea as to where you can look for facilities that won't make you order food through them. I hope something in here triggers something for you! Good Luck girl! Keep in touch, Let me know what you end up with! If I think of anything else I'll email you!


Lake Manatee State Park


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Myakka State Park


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Chelsea Center


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Harrington House http://www.harringtonhouse.com/weddings....


Palma Sola Botanical Park


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Sarasota Garden Club


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Selby Botanical Gardens


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Tropical Breeze Resort


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Reply:Does the church you are marrying at have a fellowship hall or something similar? Many people have their reception at the church where they will be married and it doesn't cost any extra, or if it does, not much.
Reply:if the church has a fellowship hall or gym, you could make that work. the hard part is that most likely the cheaper the place, the more you have to do- which might even end up in renting tables etc.
Reply:http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=wedding... you will have to call to get prices.
Reply:Rent a meeting room at a Knights or Lions hall, they're usually cheaper than the hall itself and sometimes they'll work with you.
Reply:Have you tried the fellowship hall at the church? Or someone's backyard? Maybe a park?
Reply:Instead of having a wedding reception, why not just go to Home Depot and buy a ladder, then maybe stop by Walmart and pick up some cheap luggage.





In case you're thinking "Huh?" Here's how it works:





You and your fiance' split up the luggage between you two. Both of you pack up your things a few days in advance. Then, he sneaks over to your place late at night, leans the ladder against your bedroom window, you toss down your luggage to him, he puts it in the trunk along with his luggage. Then you climb down the ladder and into his arms. Then the two of you then drive off to Las Vegas or Wendover and get married discretely. This method is way cheaper and less stressful!.





I don't really have any ideas for you off hand, I just thought you could use a few laughs.





I see nothing wrong with having a nice, but practical wedding without having to take out a mortgage just to pay for it. You don't have to go all out. You're doing it the smart way. More couples who are about to get married should take a lesson. The money you save by being conservative with the wedding and reception could be better spent on a down payment for a home or something.





Best Wishes
Reply:You said your boss owns a restaurant, what about seeing if you could do it there. Of course, it depends on the size and time of your wedding. It would save you and him transportation costs and the whole setting up.


Like everyone else suggested, check and see if they have a fellowship hall or rec room in the church.


IF you really want to cut costs, you could scrap flowers all together, or use some from friends and families gardens.
Reply:I'd look for a community hall or a VFW or Elk's or LIon's Club or something like that. Check with Park's %26amp; Rec Dept - sometimes they have rooms to rent for fairly cheap too
Reply:Well, check with the church and see if they have a fellowship hall....they are usually small but that will save you money on transportation and decoration really bc you can recycle the decorations you used in the ceremony. and also the room may just be small enough to put a (not being smug or mean) stereo verses a dj and then you'll save there too.
Reply:Wow, I just want to say I will be watching for the answers you get. My fiance and I are spending $1200.00 on our wedding as well and having it in the park. That budget doesn't include alcohol. Even though we can't serve alcohol in the park, I'm still interested in knowing how you fit it into your budget...maybe I could upgrade something else if I found a fabulous way to save!





Good luck!
Reply:I guess the best way to save on costs is to do everything yourself and shop around looking for the best deals.





Compare prices and look for specials and deals.





There are plenty of website that offer free tips and advice such as http://www.my-wedding-reception.com
Reply:Hi Sarah and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!





Good for you for wanting to have a wedding on a budget! I love trying to help brides with a "budget" wedding. These are my favorite types of questions to answer. As I always say to the others, a "budget" wedding doesn't have to be a "cheap" wedding...there is a difference!!





With that said, I see others have given you the idea of utilizing the fellowship hall at the church. My other suggestion would be to have it at the restaurant where you work. Is there a private room there?





I see your addendum regarding the alcohol. OK.....so here is my "two cents" worth:





~ When helping brides on a budget, my first thought is to have a SMALL wedding. I am talking maybe 50-75 guests (MAX!)





~ Also....I really don't see how you are going to serve food, alcohol, and rent a place for a reception. That is going to be way over your budget.





~ Make SURE that the church fee of $150 is secure. Does that include the minister's fee as well? Double check that. Also....will you be wanting to utilize the organist or pianist for music? How much is that going to be?





~ So....let's say the $150 includes the minister....so that leaves you with $1,050 (minus the marriage license).....just as an example, let's say your marriage license is $50....so that leaves you with $1,000 for everything else.





~ What is the groom wearing? Do you also need to rent a tux? Are you having bridesmaids and groomsmen? If so, you will need to get them a gift. Again, what about the minister's fee? Then.....what about a rehearsal dinner? The rehearsal dinner can be something very easy (possibly at the church in the hall)....like pizza and soda. However, you will still need to figure that amount in to your budget.





~ Again, I love to help brides on a budget, but yours is difficult given what you WANT to have -- food and alcohol.





~ You certainly CAN have a very elegant wedding and then serve "finger foods" along with cake, punch and coffee in the church fellowship hall.





~ To be honest, I think you are going to have to scale back your idea of what you want for your reception. There are many, many alternatives to the "typical" reception of food and alcohol.





~ Some ideas would be to serve "finger foods", cake, punch and coffee (which would need to be at a non-meal time, like 2-5 p.m.).





~ Another alternative would be to have it at a park or in someone's backyard and do a "potluck" or have a BBQ.





~ Another very elegant option would be to have a late night wedding....say 7:30 or


8 p.m. and then have a "dessert reception" (again AT the church) and serve a variety of desserts..of course, cake, and maybe some brownies, cookies, etc. Then you could do a "coffee bar" of different coffees, etc. Serve some fruit and nuts also.





~ OR....possibly you CAN do it at a hotel. However, as someone who has hosted two receptions at a hotel, I know for a fact that you will not be able to bring in your own food. You will have to utilize their catering and also their alcohol and bartenders. This is usually very costly.





~If you still want to do the food and alcohol, check into halls like VFW halls, Lions Clubs, Elks Clubs, etc.





One other idea. You could certainly have an elegant small wedding with close family and friends and then simply go out to dinner at a nice restaurant after. This would be a very nice option too!!





Well....that is all my two-cents worth. Good luck with everything and I hope you have a beautiufl day!