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.
- 1Asking online communities for a fresh pair of eyes and venue recommendations
- 2Searching for rural outdoor properties or farms on the outskirts of town to set up tents
- 3Scaling down guest count or increasing the overall venue budget
- 4Looking into public parks, community centers, or non-profit spaces
- 5Searching extensively in multiple cities or travel destinations
- 6Looking for full restaurant buyouts for receptions to gain flexibility on food and alcohol
- 7Doing extensive Google searches
- 8Looking into smaller private charter companies instead of large tourist boats
- 9renting some summer camps
- 10Having the DJ make a grand announcement to transition guests downstairs together for the first dance
- 11Ensuring there is plenty of lounge seating with tables on the lower floor near the dancing and bar
- 12Searching online and looking into specific locations like garden at the hops, perona farms, and kings cole farm.
- 13Looking into city parks department websites for venue rentals that provide tables, chairs, and kitchens while allowing licensed outside vendors
- 14Searching for local women's clubs or historical estates that offer lower rental rates
- 15Searching for venues further away such as Perris CA
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
“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 ↗
Where this came up
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