10 Planning Tips for a Bride on a Budget

Compare Packages - Compare every wedding package detail for the venues of your choice. Some venues may include a dance floor, others may not. It’s important to price these items out to make sure you are getting the best deal.



To Rent or Not to Rent – You may find an affordable location to host your wedding, but it may not equipped to handle events. You may be spending more renting tables, chairs, etc… and could be spending more in the long run. Make sure to crunch the numbers.


All Inclusive – Choose a venue that can accommodate a ceremony and reception in the same place. You will save money on additional site fees and transportation. Not to mention your guests will appreciate driving less.


Networking – Look to friends and family to see if they have managed or have access to a venue location. A family member may have a scenic property you could host a wedding at. You may even belong to an organization that offers a venue at a discounted rate. Explore all possibilities.


Location – Depending on your location you may be able to save a heap of money on decorations thanks to the beauty of the surrounding area. Pick a spot with gorgeous backdrop and your guests will not even be looking at the décor.


Rehearsal Dinner – Save on an expensive rehearsal dinner by hosting a backyard barbecue or picnic at a beach.


Accept Help – Some relatives may want to help with flowers, cake or a post-wedding brunch in lieu of a traditional wedding gift. Bottom line, your friends and family love you and want to help… you should let them.


Budget – Develop a detailed budget and stick to it. Determine what is important and forget the rest. On an average, couples spend half their budget on food and beverage.


Consider the Day, Time and Season – Save some money by hosting your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to avoid those premium prices for Saturdays. By hosting an earlier reception time you can drastically change the price of the meal per person. A luncheon is a nice alternative to a dinner and much more affordable. Season is another item to consider, most venues offer better rates for fall or winter weddings.


Bigger is not always better –Find a venue that is small and intimate and keep the guest list to a minimum. Not only will this save you money but it may eliminate some stress caused by large weddings.


Happy Planning!

Lake Tahoe's Newest, Most Unique on Mountain Venue!

This past Saturday, Lindsey and Nick were the FIRST to have their wedding ceremony and reception at the brand new Zephyr Lodge at Northstar California! This guest decided to mountain bike to the event.

Zephyr Lodge is two gondola/chairlift rides up through the beautiful Tahoe mountains and is a new LEED-certified building, hosting weddings for up to 350 guests.

The guests enjoyed cocktail hour from the deck boasting panoramic views of the Pacific Crest.

Brilliant twist on a candy bar for a mountain wedding- a trail mix bar!

This wedding was for 200 guests and as you can see is quite spacious.

Floor to ceiling windows let the guests enjoy the views all night long until the sun set right in front of them.

The ceremony site needed no other decor in the background except the scenery at 8,410 feet!

What a spot for the first kiss as husband and wife- breathtaking!

Congratulations Lindsey, Nick and Maizey (flower girl labradoodle). Best of luck on your future and thank you for such a spectacular wedding debut at the Zephyr Lodge!

-Bxo