Nigerian / American Wedding on a budget?

Where are you getting married? How far a budget goes varies greatly by region! I planned my wedding for around 9k for 150, but that was in Utah.

I'm looking in Northern Virginia or Maryland outside of the DC metro. DC is also an option but I worry about hotel prices for my guests.

Hi Chi-Chi - we live in MD (but are from TX) and looked briefly at hosting our wedding here. The prices are crazy in this area! You'll be hard pressed to host 150 with $15,000, especially in the DMV. We are probably going to be over that for 70 people in TX. Does your budget include your dress, hair, makeup, invites, etc.? We are only having a day-of coordinator and that is perfect to us.

We decided on a mansion all together when we budgeted everything we had together against if we chose a venue the mansion came our cheaper. I say go for it

Hey Chi-Chi, I'm also doing a Nigerian- Canadian wedding in 3 days!!!

We spending $15k for 130 guests. FH and I did all the planning and we cut out some unnecessary things like favours & programs. Our invitations were sent online(The Knot)... So there are some things that you can do without and that will help your budget.

PS: I had a lot of great tips from WW family. I'd encourage you to browse the forums daily you will be thankful you did!

We're having 150 guests in Maryland, and most venues we looked at were above your budget, especially on Saturday. You might be able to do it at a park.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help. It's nice to know I'm on the right track. We may have to come down on the guest list. I sent it to my parents to cut family (sheesh!) I'm hoping to get a free dress with www.bridesacrossamerica.com. I'm a Military bride!

Hi Chi Chi! I just became an army wife and I was able to get my dress through Brides Across America. If you need any information please let me know.

Chi-Chi, look at mncppc for mansion rentals. You can get one around $5,000; however most mansions will not allow outside caterers. This is because their vendors are used to working in that space and the rules that come with it. I went to a Nigerian/American wedding at Newton White Mansion and it was beautiful! Good luck!

Hi Sarah,

I reached out to a salon via email and registered online. How did it work? Were there appointments at your salon or did you come early to beat the crowd? Was there a nice selection of dresses? Any insights would be great!

Thanks for the tip Lynelle--I totally forgot PG county public venues. This site is great!

Chi-Chi

Done!

Hi Chi-Chi!

I'm in the DMV as well. Honestly, $15K is going to be REALLY difficult for 150 people (potentially not possible to be frank). I started out with a budget of $10K before researching and realized that it wasn't really doable for 75 people.

As far as an outdoor/indoor mansion type place, look up MNCPPC. That's the Montgomery County parks and there are a few manors and mansions owned by the county that have decent rates (since they aren't privately owned). Also, look in PG County for the same (county owned mansions). There are a few of them that I can think of. If you happen to live in either of those two counties, you'll get a discount on the space as well.

I wound up renting Kentlands Mansion in Gaithersburg for a great price. However, that venue isn't big enough for 150 (I don't think). But going the city/county owned route saved us a TON of money on a venue.

In DC especially, 15k will not take you far with that budget and guest list. ALSO, a mansion is not going to be cheaper than a traditional venue. Why do you need an outside caterer? All inclusive will lower your costs!

Cut the guest list because typical, that would give you 7500 ish for food and drink, and that's really not enough, especially for a prime date in prime season on a prime night; IF you can even find a place that's open.

Something has to give, and it may be your fiance's insistence on a Saturday.

Chi Chi

Congrats!

The options in the DMV for your price point are limited but it's totally possible. Reach out to the Cherry Hill Ballroom or Oxon Hill Manor if you want outside catering. Both are reasonably priced and allow outside catering. If you're looking for something all inclusive and still reasonably priced take a look at Woodmore Country Club or Ceresville Mansion.

The vendor search tool on here is pretty good too.

It also may be a good idea to consider an off peak date. Prices are a lot lower off season if you're dedicated to a Saturday wedding.

Best of luck!

Good Morning Chi-Chi,

I'm a DMV bride! It all depends on where you're looking. Try http://www.pgelegantsettings.com/ . They have places like the Oxon Hill Manor, PG Ballroom. Also look at Bed-n-Breakfasts (we considered Laurel Grove, they were very sweet). Since you are a military bride do not forget to ask about discounts. Its definitely possible just make sure to shop around and budget. Good luck and happy planning!

Hi Chi-Chi, there was an appointment at the first one I went to but not the second (they just told me to come in). I would definitely recommend that you call the salon and make sure you have an appointment in place. Getting their right when it starts ensures that you will get the widest selection. There were hundreds of dresses there and I was treated like any other customer. They were able to give me a just under $2k Alfred Angelo for completely free. Also I would suggest looking into accessories while you're there, they gave me my veil 30 percent off. I hope this helped, good luck.

I absolutely adore Nigerian lace!!! Maybe you can find a way to incorporate it into your attire and/or your decor.

Also, if you go with Maryland, I seriously recommend looking at tf caterers (http://www.tfcaterers.com/). They can do a mixed African (ex: West African Style Meat Balls, Tunisian Chicken Wings with Oranges, Spiced Bass with Crunchy Rice & Watercress Salad) and American (ex: Pecan Crusted Scallops with Peach Chutney, Tenderloin Brochette with Béarnaise Glacage) menu. They offer other services for weddings too (decor, music) and can even help you find a location. I think they'd be really good at helping you put together the kind of event you're aiming for.

@nope a lot of brides ask about outside caterers so that they can self cater....

View Quoted Comment Hey, @Chi-Chi and Mercy. I'm doing my own wedding too soon. I am hoping for no more than 100 guest (I really only want 75). I like that you all were able to have both wedding for less than $20,000 I would love to see a break-down of costs (even if it is an estimate). Appreciate it.