Vancouver Wedding on a Dime
How We Crafted a Magical Celebration for $12K and Left a Couple Smiling!
Embarking on the journey to plan a wedding is thrilling, but the financial reality can often be daunting. Especially in Vancouver in 2023 when everything just seems to be costing way more than it used to. So when I was asked to plan my friend’s wedding with a budget of $15K, I knew I was up against a challenge. In this post, I'll share the secrets and strategies that not only met but exceeded expectations, showcasing that love doesn't need a hefty price tag.
Venue: Finding ‘The One’
The two biggest considerations for finding a venue on a budget are:
Either find a venue with a low rental fee that allows you to bring in your own food and beverage, OR
Find a venue that has a low minimum spend limit.
With my clients, we decided to go with the second option. I discovered a gem with breathtaking views of the city and mountains. With a minimum spend of just $1500 I knew this was ‘the one’ when my bride saw the tent with string lights set up and told me: this would be my dream wedding.
The venue provided the food and beverage. The minimum price for a summer BBQ style buffet was $32 per person. And we budgeted $30 for alcohol per person. This along with music fees, venue rental fee and service, brought the food, beverage and venue cost to $3,600.
Photo + Video: Capturing Memories
With the venue booked and the wedding date set, the search was on for the perfect photo+video team. We secured a fantastic team at a reasonable price who were with us from ‘getting ready’ to ‘bouquet toss’. Total cost: $3,360 - an investment the couple was extremely happy with.
Decor: Setting the Mood
Flowers, chairs and decor can quickly add up. A savvy florist provided arch rental, bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, sweetheart table floral arrangement, 4 centerpieces and arch florals for a total of $1500.
We rented chairs as the chairs that the venue provided didn’t complement the look my couple were going for. If we had asked the venue to source chair covers for us, it would have actually cost more than the chairs we ended up renting. Total cost of chairs: $450 including delivery and pickup.
We sourced table numbers from etsy for $30. Table number holders were found in my own neighbourhood’s “buy nothing” group! We purchased a “Mr. & Mrs.” sign from Facebook marketplace for $20. We also sourced a welcome sign with room to add table assignments from Facebook marketplace for $30. The table assignments were designed in Canva and printed at home. Invitations were also designed in Canva and sent digitally to guests.
To give the reception a more magical feel, we bought string lights from Costco for $70 and lit up the reception tent with them. The cake was a beautiful two tier with flowers on top and cost $300.
DJ: Packing the Dance Floor
Luck was on our side with a close friend of the couple providing his DJ services at a discounted rate of $600. He also graciously took on the role of MC for the evening, elevating the celebration.
The Look: Styling the Couple
The bride and groom looked stunning. The groom’s look totaled $500 while the bride found her dream dress at a bridal show for $650 with alterations costing $250. Her shoes were purchased for $160. And to finish the look, the bridal hair and makeup, without a trial cost $300.
The Legal Stuff: Tying the Knot
Last but definitely not least, a marriage license in British Columbia costs $100. We also booked the officiant from the BC marriage commissioner registry. The cost for performing the ceremony and filing the paperwork is $78.75. The commissioner didn’t charge a travel fee as she lived quite close to the venue itself.
The Grand Total: $11,998
Summing it up, our meticulous planning resulted in a dream wedding for $11,998. Now I should mention, my couple ended up spending just a bit over this amount as they splurged on some candles and opted for a more expensive food option. However, they comfortably stayed below their $15,000 budget.
Conclusion: Weaving Moments of Wonder
So here it is folks. If you also want a certified wedding planner who can keep you on track for your spendings, or you want a planner who can plan a lavish celebration with no budget limit, contact us!
Happy New Year and here’s to making your 2024 wedding dreams come true!
