Bargain Wedding Ceremony

Lselenaa on 08/06/2016 - 15:58

Hi fellow ozbargainers
I'm in need of help from seasoned ozbargainers.
My best friend is getting married on a budget. She has her reception already booked (asian 200 people at a restaurant)
The dilemma is she wants to just get a celebrant to wed them at home, because she doesnt want to spend extra money (very tight budget)
A few of us have decided to chip in together for a tight $600 budget ceremony for about 20 people. This is to include byo drinks, food, decorations (balloons, flowers), venue hire. I'm having issues finding somewhere appropriate.
Initially I was planning some kind of rooftop, but they're proving to be too exp.
Tried finding a place on airbnb, none avail.

Any other suggestions?
Greatly appreciated.

General Discussion

Comments

  • Tuesdaygal on 08/06/2016 - 16:09

    Neighbourhood houses? Scout halls? I've been to many birthday parties at neighbourhood houses during weekends, I think they charge about $20 per hour. They usually have adequate facilities and you can decorate to your heart's content.

  • dasher86 on 08/06/2016 - 16:14
    +1

    20 people? A nice backyard BBQ should do it if the weather is right =D

  • supnigs super skids on 08/06/2016 - 16:19

    20 people isn't that much. Easily in backyard. Buy a few large sails if you like

  • Adz81 on 08/06/2016 - 16:22
    +4

    Venue wise, I noticed you're in Melbourne? There's some lovely public gardens there… for 20 people, couldn't you do it in the Botanic Gardens or something? Could get that for next to nix I would've thought.

    • danyool on 10/06/2016 - 13:42

      next to nix

      Maybe if you go to a suburban park you might get away with it for free, but I doubt it would be free at Botanic gardens.

      Couldn't see a price list for Melbourne Botanic Gardens but in Sydney there's a whole range of different prices - minimum $330 for small wedding - and it wouldn't be one with primo view which would be $500+

      https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Venue-Hire/Wedding-Ceremonies/…

      • Adz81 on 10/06/2016 - 13:51

        Ceres Community Garden seems fairly reasonably priced:
        Weddings using another approved external caterer, or ceremony only (no catering):$2.50/person/hour (based on a minimum of 50 people, so you're looking at $125 for a small group for an hour). Ceres garden is a stunning location.
        http://ceres.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/wedding-broch…

  • gevidian on 08/06/2016 - 16:32
    +4

    Get the celebrant to get them wed at the restaurant prior to meal. All 200 guests get to attend a wedding cum reception.

    • piggyfund on 08/06/2016 - 17:10

      my cousin in law did that and it was awkward as hell. No one heard anything and there was a huge stairwell in the way but depending on venue it may suit.

    • ChillBro on 10/06/2016 - 06:52

      All 200 guests get to attend a wedding cum reception

      Not enough budget for wedding cake?

  • piggyfund on 08/06/2016 - 17:09
    +1

    They can get married at Treasury Place/City Hall - I think it is about $300, then take photos nearby and you can go for some food and drinks in a nice bar nearby. Canape platters aren't very expensive and people can buy their own drinks. Can't she borrow some money and pay back her parents after wishing well gifts? I can't imagine they would fork out for a huge banquet for 200 but neglect to think about the actual ceremony. You're a good friend.

    • Limitless on 09/06/2016 - 08:17

      The whole ceremony budget is $600 so that is half the budget just on the venue alone…

      • piggyfund on 09/06/2016 - 10:07

        That includes the celebrant and license (plus music decorations etc etc). You can't get away from paying for the license. It is at city hall so they charge you how much it costs, who knows what the celebrant would charge. It's reasonable considering the average wedding costs over $35K

  • BigTed on 08/06/2016 - 17:27

    Who are you using for the celebrant and how much is it costing?
    Is the celebrant cost in your budget already?

  • selenaa on 10/06/2016 - 06:46

    Wow thanks for the suggestions guys.
    In terms of costs, the couple want to fork out for the whole wedding themselves, parents arent in any position to help out much more after contributing to the reception.
    Yes is it too awkward to do it at the reception with so many guests as piggyfund mentioned.
    My friend wanting to keep the costs minimal- decided to just wed at home with just family and closest friends. Not her first choice, but extenuating circumstances is really keeping a tight grip on budget.
    So that is why I'm running ideas on a surprise budget ceremony. The $600 budget is strictly just the ceremony- its the amount I can come up with so far, maybe extra comes in later from others . Celebrant fee is separate.
    I have mentioned to her going to the registrar office for the ceremony. She wasnt that keen as I believe max amount of people that can attend is 8, which won't fit both sides of the immediate family.

    I looked into some of the nice gardens surrounding Melbourne city, just booking a section of the garden for a wedding ceremony is about $360.

    This planning is a lot harder than I initially thought :(. Obviously budget restricts it, but trying to find something intimate/special enough is hard.

    Anyway thanks for sharing ideas guys.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/06/2016 - 11:42

    Maybe they should just hold off the wedding until they have the money for it.

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