We would like to get married at the end of July or the first weekend in August of 2009. We would really like to get married in Santa Fe outside surrounded by the mountains. Due to the fact that neither of us live there, it makes it difficult to plan a wedding.... we don't even know where to start....Our budget is $10,000. Do you think we can get married in Santa Fe for that amount of money?
ART & SOUL response:
First of all, congratulations on your engagement!
The budget issue is a sticky question. It depends entirely on how many guests you are expecting will attend.
Not wanting to burst your bubble...I'm assuming you are interested in hosting an elegant wedding with great food and beverages, good music and some simple decor in a beautiful location. If so, 10K doesn’t go very far in Santa Fe, for a couple of reasons:
1. You’re looking at the most expensive season to be married in.
- In 2009, Santa Fe Opera starts July 3rd and runs through Aug. 29th. SF Opera pushes all hotel room prices up. Spanish Market is the weekend of July 24-26, 2009, which will also push hotel prices up. This is a consideration if you have many guests that will be traveling to Santa Fe for the wedding.
- Because of the aforementioned events, there isn't much negotiating room with vendors -- the best vendors in Santa Fe will often have $ minimums and will need to be booked in advance.
- Sites for 100+ guests are even more challenging if you are working with a smaller budget.
- Current wedding research shows that the average wedding costs 27K; we have found that to be true. And this was for weddings in 2006.
The good news it that rain is considered good luck for the married couple! :-)
Here's the reality: There are limited sites in Santa Fe with mountain views. Santa Fe has a wonderful selection of venues and sites, but those with mountain vistas are harder to come by.
Hyde Park Lodge is one of the few that are affordable. But they do not book 2009 dates until Jan. 2nd or so in 2009 and one would need to stand in line at the park to reserve a date for 2009. There are always a dozen or so couples who stand in line right after the New Year to book the lodge. They don’t book any dates for 2009 until after the 1st of the year, because they are part of the national park system. So another question to ask those who are planning a destination wedding, is...Do you have any family in New Mexico that could stand in line for you after the New Years?
Consider setting a wedding date in the off-season
Considering an off-season date for your wedding is something you may want to think about. May (before Memorial Day weekend) is a beautiful time for weddings and hotel rooms and site fees might be a tad more affordable. Also consider the last half of October (after Balloon Fiesta), which is lovely in New Mexico.
March, April and November of course, are good to consider if you'd like to be able to do some price negotiating.
I hope this helps!
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