Friday, June 13, 2008

#313: a $2,000 backyard.


getting charged a site fee is quite the norm these days. problem is...with a $10,000 budget, spending 20% on just renting ground space seems like...not a waste (especially for a yard like this one!)...but kind of like...reaching beyond my means. kind of like...knowing i want to spend $300 on a wedding dress but trying on the $5,000 ones. just cuz.

i mean, should i even be entertaining something like this? say for $2,000 (FLAT, no additional fees or taxes) i can rent that backyard.

i'd still have to stretch my wallet on:
tables/chairs
linens
food
drinks
staff
equipment
shuttle (parking isn't ideal so i'd have to shuttle the guests from somewhere)

given my goal here, what do you think i should do? keep the dream alive? or squash the inevitable early on?

17 comments:

Amy@Fiancé Meeting You Here said...

I say start pricing rentals out. You might still be able to swing
2k. Remember-everything is negotiable. I say keep the dream alive and have an order to your priorities. Tell vendors about your goal. Some may be willing to help! GL!

amanda said...

maybe try to find a venue that has at least some stuff thrown in. we found one in pasadena, ca that has tables and (ugly) chairs that you can use, and the site fee is around $1000-1600 depending on how many guests you're having and which space you want to use. there's still stuff to rent (linens, equipment, and we're renting chairs bc of the aforementioned ugliness, etc.) but it's not impossible.

Anonymous said...

keep the dream alive. definetely.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps try to find sites owned by the state or by museums. Unless they've figured out this wedding trick, they're usually cheaper than a privately owned site.

Tourist bureaus and chamber of commerces are a big help finding places like that.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you've thought about this stuff... you're so detailed! BUT... It's probably going to cost you $600-$800 for your chairs, tables, and linens. If you're paying a staff, contract cater-waiters get paid $10-$20 per hour depending on the job (trust me, that job is HARD), so the company you go through would be charging significantly more. If you're lucky, you may find a caterer who will create a $15-$20/head menu for you (look for someone who caters mostly team parties and corporate meetings). Throw in a shuttle for $800, and it will add up. Tere are so many venues out there with a MUCH lower base price. Some park pavilions are stunning, with a fire pit and bathrooms and wired for sound... And you'd probably get charged $300-$500 for the space. Some of the older mansions/houses that they offer for weddings cost around $2000 and include chairs, tables, and linens. So I say keep hunting. I think you can recreate the FEEL of this backyard for much less, and allow your guests the flexibility of easy parking. If you blow 20% of your budget now, at the very beginning of planning, you won't have any "blow money" when you discover that the dress you REALLY want costs $600 instead of $300, or the photographer you REALLY must have is $500 more than you were hoping to pay. Obviously, only you know what's right for you, but that's my take on it. :)

yaiAnn said...

Don't do it! There's got to be something else out there that's way cheaper.. Keep the dream alive. There is something out there for you!

Anonymous said...

For my wedding next June I went with that backyard at home feel but like this space they are all very pricey. So I went with a city park in my area. The park has been there since 1890 and it has a beautiful pavilion I still get that backyard feel but with only a cheaper, much cheaper, cost. Keep looking you will find something just as beautiful but for less. Your space is out there you just have to find it. Good Luck!!

Anonymous said...

Keep the dream alive. You may be able to find good deals on rentals through your caterer.

Our hotel is providing a free shuttle if we book a 10 rooms so you may be able to find a hotel in your area that does the same.

cats said...

i'm having a wedding in my parents backyard (with a tent) and we're spending about 8K on rentals. It adds up! Do you need restrooms?

k said...

Keep the dream alive! But if you decide that you love it, price it out by calling rental/catering vendors now...it might work, esp since you want to do the cocktail/ hors d'oeuvres reception. Or start by editing your guest list :(

Linda said...

We went with a cheaper site but are spending over $1k in rentals. If I had it to do over I would look for a place where that stuff was included and pay a little more.

MamaSqueaks said...

use that location as your template and hopefully you'll find one similar that includes the chairs, tables, linens, etc.

GL!

style-for-style said...

the site is gorgeous!!!
you could always skimp everywhere else!!!

But stay away from those 5,000 dresses!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am having the SAME problem. I'm working with a limited budget as well. One of the venues I checked out was 2k just to rent, and it didn't include a single table, chair, linen, fork, tent, NADA. SO FRUSTRATING.

Unfortunately my family doesn't have an amazing large plot of plush and beautiful land to use as the perfect setting, so I'm really worried about finding a venue that fits into my budget. :( le sigh...

Ten Thousand Only said...

thanks for the wisdom and advice.

i'm going to first visit the space so i'm not left to wonder "what if"...and then should i find myself falling head over heels, i'll take your advice and start pricing everything out right away.

also, the 'blow money' budget cushion anne mentioned is yet another thing i hadn't thought about but agree is important. especially given that i'm a compulsive buyer...especially of all things pretty and shiny! yikes.

thanks again and i'll keep you updated after my site visit. *crossing my fingers*

KarenDZachary said...

When pricing rentals, it might be helpful to know that in my area, an "anytime" (means anytime 9:00 to 5:00) weekday delivery and pickup is about 115.00. An exact-time delivery and exact-time after-hours (means after 6:00) pickup is 490.00. I know, whoa. So a home that keeps your rentals onsite and secure for a weekday delivery and pickup is a plus. In my area, it would save you over 300.00 bucks.

Unknown said...

Omgosh! I have to tell you, that your blog has been so helpful! I just got engaged in May and we are starting to venue hunt :P Your research has been so helpful!!! Could you tell me where the $2,000 backyard is? We actually found some great caters, so Im looking for the backyard type of thing. Thank you so much!!!!