When I first got engaged, I had it in my stubborn head that I would absolutely not spend more than $5,000 on the entire thing. I was convinced that I would be able to do it because I'm very thrifty and don't like to spend a lot on anything, let alone one silly day.
I have learned a lot in planning my own wedding. Mostly, I learned that it's not impossible, just tricky. It takes a lot of searching and work, and I sincerely applaud those who can pull it off. I'm not one of them. I chose to abandon my budget and go a little above that $5,000 budget to get what I really wanted as opposed to having to stress about price as much. I'm still spending considerably less than the average American wedding costs, which is usually priced around $20,000, but I'm okay with going over my original budget.
However, for those of you who are searching high and low in San Antonio or surrounding areas, I can help you out. There are many ways to stay under $5,000 without having to sacrifice the ideal wedding you've always envisioned, it just takes a little more effort.
The first thing that you need to consider in lowering costs is venue. Most churches have a low fee or ask for a donation, so those are always a good option for the ceremony. Even non-religious couples can have a church wedding at a location like the Church at La Villita with a non-denominational minister. You can even have a friend or family member marry you in a backyard or park, as long as they are ordained. It's a very simple process and can be done 100% online. Marriage Island, on the River Walk, is a great, inexpensive option for marriage ceremonies. http://marriageisland.webs.com/ratesservices.htm
Generally speaking, ceremonies can be done at a reasonable cost. Of course, places that allow for both ceremony and reception can be pricey, especially in the Hill Country, country clubs and golf courses. Inexpensive reception options include parks, suburban "club" houses and lodges, and some interesting places you've never considered. With any reception venue comes some kind of caveat. Parks are usually really cheap to rent out, but they don't allow you to play loud music. Neighborhood lodges and club houses may not be available to rent if you don't live in the area. The Great Northwest Lodge is $250 for 6 hours, but you if you are serving alcohol, you have to pay a fee and hire mandatory security guards. This is still a good deal, but you also have to be a member of their home owners association... or know someone who is! Visit http://www.greatnorthwest.org/item_detail.asp?id=179&itemdesc=GNW+Lodge+Rental for more information.
The Leon Valley Community Center is another inexpensive option- only $800-850 for a Saturday wedding.
http://www.leonvalleytexas.gov/reserve/docs/Community_Center_Prices_052606__2_.pdf
There are several different locations available in Schertz for reasonable prices. http://schertz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/SchertzRentalFacilities-RentalRatesPre-LeaseInformation.pdf
Another great option for receptions that's a tad pricier is the Koelher House near San Antonio College. For a smaller wedding (125 or less guests), you can rent the facility for $900 for 5 hours, or $975 for 6 hours. It's a unique place to have a reception, and you can use any caterer. http://www.alamo.edu/sac/koehler/ Many expensive places require you to use their caterer, which usually makes the bill skyrocket.
My fiance and I took a look at Depot 3, part of Sunset Station, because they only charge $200 for the room. They have a few other locations that are priced low, as well, but the catering is where they get you. Personally, I can't stand to pay $22 a head for Mexican food, because I think Mexican food should always be cheap. But if you're having a small wedding, it could still end up being worth your money, so check out Sunset Station! http://www.sunset-station.com/
Now most of these places require a bit of sprucing, but the low cost leaves room in your budget for decorations. If you're not particularly crafty, however, you may want to opt for a place that needs fewer decorations. These places are inherently more expensive, but there are some tricks of the trade that can still keep costs down.
One thing you can do to cut costs is have your wedding off-season. This varies among vendors, so check with the places you like first, because some consider November "off-season", while others don't. If you are set on having a May wedding (always "in-season"), consider having your wedding on a weekday. For instance, a Thursday, and even in some cases, a Friday or Sunday wedding will save on costs. Typically, this will also decrease your guest list significantly, because many will be unable to attend due to work and/or school schedules.
The Botanical Gardens offer many locations for weddings. Most are small, (100 or fewer), but the locations are so beautifully maintained that you'll save a ton on decorations. They have different prices for daytime and evening weddins:
http://www.sabot.org/ama/orig/Daytime-Web-Rental-Rates-2009.pdf
http://www.sabot.org/ama/orig/Evening-Web-Rental-Rates-2009.pdf
Also, check out church community centers and event centers. These are often reasonably priced, have large spaces, and provide a set amount of tables, chairs, linens, etc. For an example, check out: http://www.holyspiritsa.org/site_res_view_template.aspx?id=2d034f04-5e25-4925-bab9-df9c41bdb76b.
I hope this information has been useful! Check back soon for more wedding planning tips. I plan to cover photography, invites, and save the dates in my next entry!
