We asked three planners to work with a big-day budget of $5,000. Here’s how they toed the bottom line.
Party Option #2: Afternoon Picnic
Photo Credit: Erich McVey on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly
Planner: Joseph Todd St. Cyr, New York City and New Hampshire (josephtoddevents.com)
Guests: 60
"An afternoon event saves you money because you don’t have to serve a big meal," Joe notes. For the ceremony, you can eliminate an "altar" that requires a structure and floral element simply by having guests form a circle around the bride and groom.
Signature Cocktail: Forgo an open bar and offer a special drink. Try grapefruit juice, vodka and just a touch of blue Curacao, served over ice in a highball glass, garnished with a lemon wheel and blueberries.
Décor: Rent cotton linen in French blue and cover cocktail, bar and buffet tables. Rent white wooden folding chairs, slender highball glasses, white ceramic platters for buffet, serving pieces, dinner and dessert forks. Arrange lavender, herbs and greens in low white vessels.
Menu: Cold fried chicken, red bliss potato salad, a green salad and a tomato/mozzarella/basil salad and sliced avocados.
Cake: Have a three-tiered white wedding cake with a triple-berry compote layer. Garnish with a few blooms that match your bouquet. Forget coffee; it's expensive to serve with all the components.
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