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bay area wedding - reality check?

45K out the door budget for 120-150 people. Is Legion of Honor or De Young doable? Looks like its 7.5k for the facility fee and they have some pretty high end catering requirements.

Also looking at Winery SF on Treasure Island---seems significantly cheaper since the facility fee is included with food per person.

Also looking at Auberge du Soleil -- 5k facility fee about 120-150 /person for food.

Do we need to a) up the budget or b) look to lower cost venues or c) is this doable on this budget?

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  1. If you want to spend $45k for a high-end wedding, than your budget is doable for Legion of Honor or Auberge.

    I used to coordinate weddings and I think $150 for food might be on the light side for those venues - probably closer to $200 (I'm including alcohol and service).

    Then you have your dress, rentals, flowers, and incidentals which will push you to the $50k range.

    2 Replies
    1. re: CarrieWas218

      thanks! glad i'm not crazy. gonna have to be careful not to go over budget...

      1. re: CarrieWas218

        Don't forget photo/video, talent, sound&lighting. Those are all major line-items. If entertainment at the reception is important to your wedding, start booking now.


        1. re: chefj

          Seriously. I'll put aside my horror at the idea of spending that much money on a wedding "on a budget" (IMHO if you have to worry about spending that much, you're spending too much) and say that there are other venues just as nice where you can have more control over costs (you might want to check out some of the "discussions you might also like" coming up on the upper right).

          1. re: Ruth Lafler

            thanks! well we could increase the budget, just trying to figure out how much these things cost. by "budget" i just want to start with a figure and stick to it, and try to avoid surprises down the road. agree that 45k is already a LOT, but IMO no matter how much you're spending you should always worry about being smart!

        2. Sounds about right. I'm getting married in March 2013 at Kohl Mansion and we are up around 50k for 150 people. Our calculation includes rings, dress, alterations, favors, etc. Outdoor venues prob cheaper, but we couldn't risk b/c of time of year. If you have time, you might be able to save by going outdoors, like ChefJ said. If you want to stick indoors, consider Barn Diva in Healdsburg. We were scared by the venue fee and per meal pricing (and alcohol per person), but in the end, I'm not sure it would've been that much more than what we are currently paying. I could be wrong.

          1. I don't know what our SF daughter's wedding cost cause we gave her a check and she added what she needed/wanted to :) They had it at the Great American Music Hall and it was fantastic. Quite a glamourous setting with all the gold and red and columns, etc. After the service, we all moved up to the balcony where we had passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while they set up the floor for the dinner. She has commented on how easy it was to work with them. And the food was terrific.

            1. Just a comment on the Legion of Honor venue, not costs. A friend had her wedding there and it was one of the lovelier settings I've been in for that event. The drinks and food were def better than average. So you do get something for the money.

              2 Replies
              1. re: rubadubgdub

                thanks! it really does look amazing. leaning towards it with a ceremony in the court of honor and renting out the hall of antiquities/terrace/cafe for the reception.

                1. re: marrymee

                  Just make sure your guests bring blankets. I attended one and it was freezing cold.