How to find a cheap wedding venue for a large guest count
High guest counts paired with tight budgets and strict vendor rules lock couples out of traditional spaces that force in-house catering and steep per-person minimums. Searching for raw land, farms, or outdoor properties on city outskirts allows couples to bypass vendor restrictions and bring their own alcohol or caterers to keep costs down.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Asking online communities for a fresh pair of eyes and venue recommendationsDid this help you?
- 2Searching for rural outdoor properties or farms on the outskirts of town to set up tentsDid this help you?
- 3Scaling down guest count or increasing the overall venue budgetDid this help you?
- 4Looking into public parks, community centers, or non-profit spacesDid this help you?
- 5Searching extensively in multiple cities or travel destinationsDid this help you?
- 6Looking for full restaurant buyouts for receptions to gain flexibility on food and alcoholDid this help you?
- 7Doing extensive Google searchesDid this help you?
- 8Looking into smaller private charter companies instead of large tourist boatsDid this help you?
- 9renting some summer campsDid this help you?
- 10Having the DJ make a grand announcement to transition guests downstairs together for the first danceDid this help you?
- 11Ensuring there is plenty of lounge seating with tables on the lower floor near the dancing and barDid this help you?
- 12Searching online and looking into specific locations like garden at the hops, perona farms, and kings cole farm.Did this help you?
- 13Looking into city parks department websites for venue rentals that provide tables, chairs, and kitchens while allowing licensed outside vendorsDid this help you?
- 14Searching for local women's clubs or historical estates that offer lower rental ratesDid this help you?
- 15Searching for venues further away such as Perris CADid this help you?
- 16Waiting until the venue issues a formal contract before booking other vendorsDid this help you?
- 17Searching for alternative budget-friendly outdoor venues or city parks departmentsDid this help you?
- 18Booking the sentimental location just for photos and hosting the wedding elsewhereDid this help you?
- 19Asking for recommendations on online forums and wedding planning communitiesDid this help you?
- 20considering elopingDid this help you?
- 21choosing a venue that is way too big for needsDid this help you?
- 22sacrificing dancing or outdoor ceremony optionsDid this help you?
- 23Asking for recommendations on online forums like RedditDid this help you?
- 24comparing multiple venue options across different states and price pointsDid this help you?
- 25seeking opinions and recommendations from online forum membersDid this help you?
- 26Waiting until spring to get married in an outdoor garden or park instead of DecemberDid this help you?
- 27Opting for an indoor city hall ceremony to save moneyDid this help you?
- 28Looking into non-traditional venues like Airbnb or VRBO to save money on venue fees.Did this help you?
- 29doing everything ourselves with the help of our friends and familyDid this help you?
- 30requesting whatever permits we need for an outdoor public spotDid this help you?
- 31booking venues a year in advanceDid this help you?
- 32using wedding planning apps like The KnotDid this help you?
- 33relying on intuition and looking for a wow placeDid this help you?
- 34focusing more on taking care of great food and making the normal place as good as it can beDid this help you?
- 35Coordinating individual vendors separately and hiring a private chef or caterer for an independent rental propertyDid this help you?
- 36Looking for resorts or venues that offer dedicated micro-wedding packages with basics includedDid this help you?
- 37Asking for venue recommendations in local community forums.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Hello! My fiancé and I are having trouble figuring out which time and where to get married is best.”source ↗
“The city hall is definitely cheaper so we’re going back forth on which option makes most sense.”source ↗
“I plan on wearing a wedding dress with a train and not crazy about getting married in the cold.”source ↗
“My dilemma is that I found a venue close to my hometown that is reasonably priced but quite plain.”source ↗
“At the same time, those cute and picturesque places near big cities like Cracow or Warsaw are more expensive and you definitely pay for the looks.”source ↗
“It’s also challenging to organise it from abroad which would be my case living permanently in Switzerland.”source ↗
“I have only found ONE venue that lets you bring your own alcohol/food.”source ↗
“There’s gorgeous places but have bar packages that have like angry orchard and bud light, none of which my family or friends drink.”source ↗
“Now that I’m searching for venues, there is nothing in the area that I need to get married in (I say need because it’s not a want.. lol) like that at all.”source ↗
“I’m just picturing these giant spaces being mostly empty with my handful of tables. No places for people to relax, just sit at round tables.”source ↗
“Another caveat is we would like the option to have some dancing, which is kind of not congruent so that’s also stressing me out.”source ↗
“I could use some advice before I close all my tabs and decide to elope.”source ↗
“Our budget is $30k for everything so I’ve been having trouble finding venue+catering under $18k in my area (Northern VA).”source ↗
“I’m just a little overwhelmed trying to figure out which properties would actually allow something like this!”source ↗
“That’s a major ask at that price. I would look for a farm or outdoor property on the outskirts of town where maybe you can setup a tent or something.”source ↗
“That’s a huge ask. You’re looking to spend less than $40/guest?”source ↗
“I’ve done some google searching and have really only found a couple that match what we’re envisioning.”source ↗
“We’re looking for a place around NJ/NY/PA, ideally within 1–2 hours of Jersey City. We need accommodation for around 5 days, and for about 2 of those days we’d like to do the wedding functions at the same property or somewhere very close by.”source ↗
“Our total budget is around $5K–$6K for the stay/venue.”source ↗
“r/wedditnyc but your budget is a little low for the ask.”source ↗
“I’m worried that after dinner half the guests will just stay upstairs sitting and talking while the other half goes downstairs to dance, and that it might make the party feel a bit empty.”source ↗
“The couple tried the whole grand transition thing with the DJ announcing the party was moving downstairs but half the older relatives just parked themselves in the restaurant with their wine and never budged.”source ↗
“I went to a wedding like that and it was a bit frustrating because people had to go all the way up to take a break from dancing plus then you had to leave your stuff on different floor.”source ↗
“i feel like i've exhausted all of the obvious options that show up when i try searching so hoping someone has some ideas i havent heard of!”source ↗
“Looking for a wedding venue in socal preferably between OC and Ventura county that can accommodate 70 guests.”source ↗
“I’m looking for a wedding venue around 5k that lets me bring my own vendors.”source ↗
“Am I being delusional with a 5k venue budget?”source ↗
“Looking for a wedding venue in socal preferably between OC and Ventura county that can accommodate 70 guests.”source ↗
“I’m looking for a wedding venue around 5k that lets me bring my own vendors.”source ↗
“Am I being delusional with a 5k venue budget?”source ↗
“Hello can anyone recommend me good wedding locations That look like castles or beautiful estates that have an indoor and outdoor area. My count is 100 people and my budget for the entire wedding is 40k”source ↗
“all of the wedding websites are always showing the same few venues over and over so we are struggling!”source ↗
“We have tried The Knot, Zola, and Wedding Wire.”source ↗
“I’m looking for something more flowery and plant-focused — lots of greenery, flowers, and a pretty natural setting.”source ↗
“The one thing we do need is for it to be accessible for people with disabilities, so somewhere that requires a huge hike probably wouldn’t work for us.”source ↗
“Nothing affordable has availability for this spring because it’s so rushed, I understand a lot of girls book a place a year out”source ↗
“This mama is tired of the knot app.”source ↗
“I’ve been struggling finding a venue that can sleep 40 people comfortably.”source ↗
“I’m hitting a brick wall with inflation of prices in the last year and need a fresh pair of eyes before I pass out from planning lol”source ↗
“Hi all!! I am struggling to find a venue that costs up to $10k and fits 250-300 people in Austin, TX. I would also ask for there to be no vendor requirements (I want to DIY a lot of it and bring my own alcohol/caterer).”source ↗
“Looking for any HOMES that host weddings . 50-70 people. Still willing to pay 3-4k for venue but would love to have a HOMEY feel with tropical vibes.”source ↗
“My biggest problem is that this venue says they are not able to give us a date until September 2027.”source ↗
“However, I’m afraid of moving forward with booking vendors while only having a tentative date.”source ↗
“I’m really dead set on having this venue—but I don’t want to inconvenience my guests and vendors, and potentially lose both them and money because the venue won’t give me a set date.”source ↗
“Help me narrow down a venue!”source ↗
“We also have a 35k budget for 80-100 guests. Is this reasonable or which venue would be most reasonable for costs?”source ↗
“Hi all! My fiancé and I are planning a destination wedding just outside Verona (Valpantena area) likely midweek, with around 80 guests (up to 100).”source ↗
“We're looking for a place where our guests can stay together for about 3 nights that can also host: a welcome dinner the night before the wedding a relaxed pool party or day-after event”source ↗
“Looking for a recommendations on venues/event spaces to have a ceremony and wedding for 125-150 guests. BYO food and drinks highly preferred.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 3Where should we stay on our wedding night?
- 5Where to find non-traditional wedding dresses