Let’s talk wedding budgets! Actually, let’s get real real & talk about pricing transparency in the wedding industry, specifically the Charlottesville market I know & adore. I often work with couples who are planning a Charlottesville wedding from out of town (we have planned for couples from Texas, New York, Louisiana, Europe, New Jersey, Colorado, Singapore…the list goes on!) One thing that I often hear is that wedding costs are very different in different places than what we typically expect in Charlottesville, but trust me we aren’t inflating budgets. So, I think we need some transparency & education on our market.
Disclaimer: I planned my own wedding in San Diego in 2016 at 24 years old, and spent about $15,000 all in. We had a plated dinner for around 80 guests at a lovely winery with in house catering, flowers from the grocery store, & an inexpensive photographer. Honestly the only things I’d invest more in today would be florals (because I know my true self now at 32, & my true self loves flowers)…& photography, because my husband is 6’6″ & tragically missing a forehead in a lot of photos. All this to say, let no one tell you how much you “have to” or “should” spend. I spent a fraction of the typical budgets I work with, & loved my wedding (again, would spend more in a couple places but I’m also not 24 & fresh out of college). You should spend on the things that matter, & remember it is just one day (ok, one incredible, beautiful, perfect day hopefully filled with florals & a talented creative team, but hey, I’m biased).
Venue
One of my favorite things about planning weddings in Charlottesville is the incredible variety of wedding venues we have in our beautiful Blue Ridge region. From wineries to elevated barns to breweries & cideries, to downtown metropolitan vibes to private estates, we have it all! Depending on what your venue includes & what you are prioritizing, most venues that we work with in Charlottesville range from $7,000-$15,000. There are exceptions to every rule & variables such as private estate weddings, rentals, & rain plan tents, but that’s a good range to consider.
Food & Beverage
This is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, and your all-in cost is largely dictated by your guest list (more humans=more food + more drinks). You’ll make a lot of decisions that will affect this number: Beer & wine or full bar? Buffet, plated, stationed, or family style service? Passed or stationed hors d’oeuvres? From a casual BBQ menu to an elevated, multi-course plated dinner, we typically see couples invest in a broad range anywhere from $100-$300 per person.
Florals
Personally, I absolutely love flowers & I believe your wedding is an opportunity to go big on florals! (Because really, when else in your life are going to have an excuse for this much pretty?!) That being said, I like to think of this line number on the budget as a matter of your priorities. How much a part of your wedding design & aesthetic do you want florals to be? If you’re a pretty minimal flower person, you will invest less here. If you’re ready to go big & do all the things (floral ceiling installations, dreamy tablescapes, a flower-heavy ceremony design…) then this number will be bigger on your budget because it is a bigger priority for you. In general, I see a range of $30-$90 per guest when we think about floral investment, very much dependent on how much of a focal point the florals are in your wedding design. Our usual all-in floral budgets range from $7000-$10,000.
Photography & Cinematography
There are some industry standards here, but this investment also varies based on a photographer’s experience, editing style, shooting style (film, digital, hybrid), & artistic talents. This is much the same for cinematography. The general range I see most of my clients booking is between $3,000-$8,000 each, with outliers upwards of $10,000.
Music
The big question: Band or DJ? The next big question: Recorded music or live musicians at your ceremony & cocktail hour? There’s a huge difference here in style of ceremony & reception & your overall vibe. I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong answer, & honestly love working with both bands & DJs. It really depends on what you’re going for at your wedding! Most DJs we work with are between $2500-$4000, with add-ons such as lighting or photo booths adjusting these numbers. Most bands we work with are between $5,000-$10,000, varying based on size of the band, requirements such as stages & generators, and opportunities to book additional services such as a musician for your ceremony and cocktail hour. If you’re going for a DJ at your reception & musicians at your ceremony and/or cocktail hour, we see numbers around $600-$1,000 for live musicians.
My Hot Take
Your wedding celebration is an opportunity to tell your love story, surrounded by the people you cherish. The biggest budgetary tip I can give you is this: First, your wedding investments should be guided by your priorities, not everyone’s opinions, Pinterest, or movies. Second, your guest list is a true turn dial on your budget: the number of people you invite affects your food, drinks, dessert, rentals, florals…almost everything. So, give serious thought to whose names you add to that list, & invest in the things that feel important to you. Your wedding is one day that is the beginning of your marriage. It is also the curation of a core memory & an incredible day you’ll hold in your heart forever. So, invest in it, but do so wisely & guided by the things you care about. And (a little biased, but it’s true) trust your planner & the team we hire together! Cheers to Charlottesville weddings in all their beauty & created by many talented hands in our community!
XOXO,
LAE Co
While the sunlight will create a gorgeous ambience during the day (even if it’s cloudy), you’ll want to be sure you have a great lighting plan for after the sun goes down. We love to start with bistro string lights along the perimeter and swagged throughout the tent, then build out a lighting design once we have “eyesight light” covered. A sailcloth tent in particular lends itself beautifully to hanging chandeliers, paper lanterns, or other hanging installations (hello, floral clouds!). We believe lighting should always come from above & below, so we always include plenty of candles in the table designs as well, to fill out that romantic ambient lighting. Lighting is also a consideration as guests leave the tent: You’ll need adequate lighting for the pathway to the restrooms (more on that below!) & you’ll want to be sure the way to the parking area is lighted as well.
Consider your guest list. If Uncle David is in a wheelchair, will he be able to access the reception tent & move around easily once inside? You’ll want to consider any accommodations needed to make your celebration accessible & enjoy
That’s all quite a lot to think about, but it is so worth it for a gorgeous tent design! I might be a teensy bit biased, but the real step one is to hire a professional wedding planner who has experience with tented weddings. Our team will think of things that you might not have considered, & help guide you through decisions to ensure the most return on your investment. A professional planner also has a network of trusted vendors & creative partners whom we can bring in based on each client’s budget & design. A few of our favorites are linked below.
