How to Have an NYC Wedding Under $5,000
Love the idea of an NYC wedding but hate the price tag? We got you! BLB Events is breaking down for you how to have a wedding in this city for under $5,000. Of course, you won’t be renting out a venue or having 100 guests, but for couples focused on celebrating with 10-15 closest friends and family and having a relaxed & informal night, this is a great budget-friendly and intimate option.
The ceremony
Ask a friend or family member to officiate your ceremony. Choose your favorite park in NYC and invite 10-15 of your most important people to come see it! The only things you’ll have to pay for here are your marriage license ($35) and a park permit to host the ceremony ($25).
The reception
Reserve a table at your favorite restaurant for yourself and 10-15 guests. You probably won’t have a private space, but rather a big communal table with other people around. For dinner and a round or two of drinks, you can keep your spend at or under $2,500.
If you’d like to do a cake cutting, you can order a small decorative cake to cut, plus a sheet cake to serve all your guests. All in, expect to spend about $90 on this.
Photography
Of course, you’ll need a photographer to capture your day! Spending $1,500 on two hours will get you a really good photographer to capture your ceremony, some portraits, and the beginning of the reception. That’s all you really need!
The details
If you’d like a bouquet or boutonnière for yourself or your partner, find a florist that will accept a la carte orders. You can easily keep this under $300. To make it even less expensive, pick up flowers yourself at a local store and make your own!
For attire, you can easily spend $100-200 on a dress or suit rental. Of course, you can always wear something you already own, too.
Expect to spend about $100 on an UberXL or two to get from your ceremony to reception space. You can always cut out this cost by walking from one to the other.
The after-party
Just because you’re having an affordable wedding doesn’t mean the party has to stop after dinner! Choose a local bar and buy your guests one round of drinks. The space and music is free, and your guests can buy their own drinks as the night goes on.
There you have it! Celebrating your marriage in NYC doesn’t always have to mean spending more than you’d like to do it. As long as you’re comfortable with a micro-wedding and an informal evening, you can cap your wedding at $5k by following this guide. Happy budgeting!
