Budget wedding and how to plan from overseas

Carlser32

Hello. We are planning on getting married next year around May time. We live in New Zealand so unsure as to how to plan. Also on a strict budget. Open to location. Can do mid week.

Couple of questions:
Suggestions for cheap venues?
Does price per head include venue hire or do you pay extra for that?
Can you bring own wine to most venues?
Is it cheaper to do ceremony on site at venue or church ceremony and then separate reception?
Any general tips for planning from overseas- buy dresses/suits in NZ or Ireland, etc?

Totally lost so appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks! 😊

clint_silver

Carlser32 wrote: »

Hello. We are planning on getting married next year around May time. We live in New Zealand so unsure as to how to plan. Also on a strict budget. Open to location. Can do mid week.

Couple of questions:
Suggestions for cheap venues?
Does price per head include venue hire or do you pay extra for that?
Can you bring own wine to most venues?
Is it cheaper to do ceremony on site at venue or church ceremony and then separate reception?
Any general tips for planning from overseas- buy dresses/suits in NZ or Ireland, etc?

Totally lost so appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks! 😊

Give us an idea of budget and location. Your idea of a budget and someone elses might be 2 different things.

Venue hire will depend on the venue. You can have a wedding in a local GAA club who will be happy of the business. Get your own local caterer. Hire a dj to do the music. get friends to take pictures. Get a suit in dunnes stores. Or dont wear a suit at all. It doesnt matter. All depends on budget.

Some venues charge corkage, some dont.

Where youre having the Ceremony will depend on whether youre having a religious one. You dont have to have a religious one even if you are religious but if youre catholic, the priest wont marry you outside a church.

Let us know and we'll try pad out the answers.

SarahMollie

Yeah OP, you need to give us more to go on, but for what its worth, these are some of the things that I think start to make the cost go up and up;

1. Numbers. Most venues charge per head for a sit down meal so if you're keeping costs low, you need to be strict on who is invited(if you're having the ceremony there too there might be an additional charge)
2. Large bridal parties. In Ireland its customary to buy the outfits for both bridesmaids and groomsmen. Throw in hair and make up etc and a large bridal party can get expensive
3. Music. If you're trying to keep costs down, maybe think of getting a DJ for the whole reception rather than a band as they can be €2-3000.
Time of year - venues often have a different pricing structure for those who are willing to get married outside of peak months, also a weekday will increase your options.
4. Non essentials - things like wedding favours, photobooths and videographers etc which many people think are totally necessary because its the done thing, but IMO if you're looking for savings, they'd be the first things to go as they'll have minimal impact on your experience on the day.

You need to give us some idea of where in Ireland you're looking, how many people you'd like to invite and what your proposed budget is.