Planning a Wedding on a Budget in Southern California
So, you’re planning a wedding on a budget. And I don’t mean a $50k budget, I’m talking a $30k budget and under.
First of all, it’s possible. Yes, even in Southern California, and yes even with a substantial (100+) guest list. It just takes research, planning, and a commitment to your budget. Let’s explore the many different aspects and considerations when planning a wedding on a budget.
Venue
Let’s begin with the first thing all newly engaged couples should lock down, the venue. Arguably, for couples on a budget (yes, a wedding under $30k in SoCal is considered a “budget” wedding), finding the right venue is key to staying on track. Try and find venues that allow you to bring in the “big ticket” vendors that traditionally can eat up a lot of your budget: catering and alcohol. The only caveat with finding a venue that will allow outside catering and alcohol is that some also then don’t include essential rentals like tables, chairs, and linens, which can add up as well.
Here’s some venues in the Los Angeles and Orange County area that allow outside catering, alcohol, and provide tables and chairs.
Catering and Alcohol
So, you’ve found the perfect venue and now you need to feed your guests. The obvious and most budget friendly catering options are also the most casual. Tacos, BBQ, Pizza, etc. All of these options are not only delicious, but generally very budget friendly. Additionally, many catering companies (including taco services) can/will include disposable plates, napkins, and cutlery with your services, which can further help you save.
If guest experience is a high priority on your day, I can’t recommend investing in a second buffet line, taco cart, etc. enough. More often than not, catering companies will tell you one time frame for food service, let's say 45 minutes for 100 people to get tacos, and it will take close to double the amount of time. Spending the extra $1,000-$2,000 is always worth it. It keeps people fed, happy, and focused on enjoying your beautiful day rather than wondering when it will finally be their turn to eat.
If you’re providing an open bar for your guests, there’s a few things to consider in terms of budget. First is where you’ll be purchasing the alcohol. Wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club will almost always get you the best prices on beer, liquor, mixers, and soft drinks. If you’re also looking to have wine I’d recommend contacting your local Trader Joes or Wine Bar for case discounts and special orders.
The second is whether or not you want to provide your guests with strictly beer and wine, or have a fully open bar. While a fully open bar is the norm, beer and wine will still make your guests plenty happy and keep your party as a more manageable level of rowdy. If you do want liquor at your event, consider limiting the choices to 2-3 signature cocktails to help with costs, and add a bit of a personal touch to the bar.
Most venues that allow you to bring in your alcohol will still require that you hire a licensed bartending service to serve the alcohol, in order to comply with local regulations. There are a plethora of skilled and economically accessible bartenders in SoCal! If you’re truly looking to save on labor costs you can always reach out to your local bartending school to see if they have a referral list of recent graduates.
Photo, Video, and Content Creators
Now comes to the (more) fun part, finding the people that will take the pictures and videos of your big day. If you have a specific style of photographer you prefer (i.e., documentary, traditional, etc.) try and search for photographers with these key words. No matter what photographer you may look into, be sure to check out a wide variety of their work and consider how you feel about their editing style, posing, composition, etc. as opposed to falling in love with a photographer just because the couple in the photo are super photogenic.
Looking to save money on photos? Look for photographers who might be newer to the wedding industry and thus offer more economically accessible rates as they build their portfolios. You can also look for photographers who offer packages with less hours covered, and forgo the getting ready picture time to save some extra bucks.
The decision to hire a videographer is a very personal one and is definitely worth discussing as a couple. If you’re wanting the polished, edited video of your day, be sure to allocate the appropriate budget for a videographer. If you’re more interested in someone capturing the frequently missed moments of your day, a content creator may be a better choice. Both professionals will deliver beautiful snippets of your day you can treasure for years to come.
Decor, Dress, Details, and More!
Ok, now this is the fun part. Designing your dream day from the dress, to the florals, to the cocktail napkins. It’s so easy to get caught up in creating the perfect, Pinterest-worthy wedding/event (guilty!). The reality is, the customized matchboxes, floral arches, printed napkins, and multiple dresses add up just as fast as your venue, food, drink, and photography.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding filled with personalized details, luxe florals, and stationary galore, I’d start by distinguishing between your “must haves” and your “wants”. For example…
Must have
Welcome Sign
Unplugged Ceremony Sign
Custom Matchboxes
Floral Arch for Ceremony
Bridal Bouquet
Reception Dress
Polaroid Guest Book
Want
Floral Centerpieces
Custom Bar Sign
Menus
Bridesmaids Bouquets
Custom Cocktail Napkins
Parasols
By clearly defining what you will and won’t compromise on, you can best figure out how to allocate your budget. This can also help you become a little more creative with your decor budget. Want menus but don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars? Maybe do one menu per table. Want each guest table to have florals? Consider DIY-ing some bud vases! The options and alternatives are endless and can all be done to fit your budget.
There’s so much that goes into wedding planning, what I covered here isn’t even half of it. But, if you’re determined to stick to your budget when wedding planning, even in the LA/OC region, it is possible.
I gravitate towards and specialize in brides who are looking to be more economically conscious on their wedding day. Having the right planner / coordinator on your side is key to achieving your wedding dreams, no matter the budget. I have vendor referrals, insight, and genuine support for all brides and all budget. I believe in you. Let’s create your dream day together.
Interested in learning more about budget friendly wedding planning in Southern California? Contact us today!
All photos sourced from Pinterest
