Location, Location, Location!
More than a saying in real estate, the location (or your venue) really sets the tone for your wedding. And with the cost of an average wedding in Northern California around $50,000, your venue can eat up a huge part of your budget.
When I was planning my wedding, I bought all the books and magazines (Pinterest wasn't a thing yet) and still thought I found every possible option for venue locations. Since becoming a wedding photographer, I've discovered a whole new world of venue options I'd never considered before. All of which offer the character, charm and beauty of some of the more “traditional” locations.
Community Centers and Halls
Maybe it’s different outside California, but here with the population growing, many communities have come together to build the most gorgeous centers which are a fraction of the cost of some of the larger venues without losing any of the beauty. The Piedmont Community Hall boasts TWO patio locations with gorgeous diffused light in the ceremony space and a traditional tea house!
Museums and Libraries
One of the coolest parts of Museums and Libraries is that there is already art and architecture built in so you can spend less on filling the space to make it beautiful. From modern to classic, there’s a library and museum to fit every style.
The Patio of The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
AirBnB and PeerSpace
I saved the best for last. It honestly didn’t even occur to me until I recently shot a wedding in a CASTLE (ok mansion shaped like a castle) the couple was able to find on AirBnB! At a fraction of the cost of renting an entire winery for the day AND the benefit of being allowed whatever vendors they wanted, it was really a brilliant move. However, AirBnB is commonly homes so for more unique options, consider PeerSpace where you can sort options by guest count and venue options. Plus the best part, prices are right there so no hunting and emailing and tracking down info packets.
