Weddings are getting increasingly expensive, causing couples to seek advice on how to save money on vendors without sacrificing the beauty of their special day. However, budget-friendly doesn't mean that your wedding has to be ugly. By considering alternatives to the top wedding spots in the region, such as Boston, Cape Cod, and Newport, you can have a beautiful New England wedding without breaking the bank.
As a wedding planner, the first questions I ask couples are where they would like to get married and their budget. The average guest count for weddings in New England is around 100, and the cost of the venue, food, bar, rentals, florals, and more depends on the number of people attending. While finding a venue is not difficult, couples often fall in love with places they can't afford, leaving little room in the budget for other services like a florist or photographer. Fortunately, there are hidden gems throughout New England that are affordable and beautiful.
- Kings Hill Inn & Barn -
Venues like the Kings Hill Inn & Barn in Paris, ME, a historic Maine wedding gardens, barn and farmhouse venue. Where you can choose from multiple on-location ceremony sites and have your entire wedding party stay on the property in one (or all) of their rental homes on the property. They also have a beautiful barn to hold an elegant reception and several other amenities to help you save.
- Zorvino Vineyards -
Another out-of-the-way venue is Zorvino Vineyards. Zorvino Vineyards is a picturesque vineyard located in Sandown, NH, on 80 beautiful acres in the middle of a New England hardwood forest. You can book your venue, lodging, florist, rentals, caterer, and more through them at rates much lower than many of the all-inclusive venues in the popular wedding hubs.
- Hilton Garden Inn -
The Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, ME, has an incredibly low event fee with accommodating packages for every budget. They have an Indoor and outdoor ceremony location as well as Ballroom for reception. Their banquet halls can host up to 300 guests with options for smaller events. Plus you can instantly reserve between 10-25 hotel rooms for your group.
- The Lighthouse Inn and Suites -
Now, are there budget-friendly venues in the main wedding hub areas? Yes! For example, The Lighthouse Inn and Suites offers a breathtaking views, historic charm, the salty air of Nantucket, and a ceremony location on the beach in Dennis, MA. They have an ample reception space, and they have catering, bar, and lodging included in their packages. Their food and beverage minimums are reasonable as well. Plus out-of-town guests receive a discounted rate even if you choose not to book a room block.
- Hidden Gems -
These venues can accommodate over 100 guests and save you a lot of time, money, energy, and stress. There are beautiful venues in the Berkshires and Connecticut as well. Coastal Maine also offers the opportunity of a beach wedding for a fraction of the cost that you will see in the other New England coastal areas. These suggestions are a bit of a drive, but lodging fees are much less expensive the further away you get from the coastal wedding venues.
Alternatively, many VRBO rentals allow weddings and other events. Some even have enough indoor space for an adequate rain contingency plan. Their event fees tend to be very low, and you can have an intimate backyard wedding for much less than a traditional venue. 782 Wrentham is an up-and-coming intimate venue with space for 100, a beautiful wooden ceremony location on site, and lodging onsite for the bride and groom and a select number of guests. Located just minutes from Gillette stadium, it is a hidden gem that isn’t overpriced.
Ultimately, your wedding day is about celebrating your love, and it can be beautiful no matter where you say "I do." By exploring hidden gems and budget-friendly venues, you can save money while still having your dream day with as little stress as possible.