Wedding + Harrogate = Too expensive!

abby1234519

Many moons ago I came onto this forum and posted that I was pregnant by a fellow student who didn't want to support me and I didn't know what to do.

Moving on 3 years later I have a wonderful two year old boy and am happily engaged to a wonderful (different) man who I have been with since I was 14 weeks pregnant. Yes I still have debt but Its being payed off (slowly) and we have a happy family life.

Anyhoo, he asked me to marry him in April and my first thought (apart from yes) was oh god money! We live in Harrogate ...its just very very expensive. I reckon I could get a wedding for 5k if I tried to have a nice wedding at a hotel without spending too much. But thats 5 k that I could pay debt off with. Anyway my grandmother has decided to give me two thousand pounds (maybe more depends on what her bond is worth when it matures) to get married with.

I would quite like to be able to get married for 2 grand in total but I can't see how its feasible in this town. I've looked at the Wedding tips and looked at halls etc but I cannot find anywhere that would let me bring my own food! ARGHHHH

Does anyone have any experience in budget weddings in an expensive place?

loopylouc

I think I may be able to come up with a few ideas. We're in Harrogate too. Have a look at a some of the local village halls - most quite reasonable to book and you can bring your own food or get caterers. These are some that we looked at.
Kettlesing Village Hall - we have booked this one - 10 mins drive out of Hgte
Follifoot village hall has a lawned area and a good hall
Ripley town hall - if you find their web site it has pictures set up for a wedding.
Darley village hall
If you don't have huge numbers then how about the Balcony at Harrogate cricket club - they can cater or you can do your own. For a sit down meal I think they can seat up to 56 ish. This was one that we looked at and is lovely but on the small side.
Mind has gone blank a bit now - join some of the facebook wedding groups their is one for Harrogate, you will find that their are businesses advertising on there that are more West Yorkshire based and the costs are lower but most would travel to Harrogate
If I think of anything else I will add more. I hope that this has helped a little.
L xx

lettice

http://www.whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com/2013/05/an-intimate-tea-room-wedding-with-a-first-look.html

Really wouldn't like to say how much the above wedding cost but if you've got small numbers, it looks like a lovely choice from the photos!

Fen1

Try marrying mid-week with an afternoon-tea reception. None of this evening-do with music malarky. The people who really know and love you will respect the fact that you are putting money towards debts rather than
squandering it on confetti.

If you are looking for good quality food, how about the Metro Restaurant, Harrogate catering college?

abby1234519

You know whats funny, the thought of having a dance with my other half is excrutiatingly cringeworthy. He can't dance and I just giggle at everything serious!!!! I'd rather do all the cutting the cake thing and then go play games outside on some grass. Welly Whomping all the way!

Loopylouc I am looking at ALL of your suggestions, I didn't know the balcony was as nice as it is. You always just assume places like that will be outdated. I am swinging towards follifoot village hall though as I love the idea of a rusticy wedding

Moomin21

when i was looking in Harrogate, i think the cheapest were the Yorkshire Hotel and the Kimberley Hotel, Yorkshire hotel looked really nice! a lot of hotels do cheaper deals in winter and on fridays if that would work for you and your family?

Other places to consider could be wetherby and ilkely, think there are a few places there?

Another cost saver could be to have a smaller, call it 'intimate' day do and then invite the majority of people to the evening...this isnt always possible tho as this is what i wanted but couldnt due to family politics!!

We're getting married in Leeds, and I didnt see a massive difference in prices to be honest, Bradford way might be cheaper! one place we did look at was the Old Barn at Esholt, near guiseley, they had loads of different price options!

abby1234519

Moomin21 wrote: »

when i was looking in Harrogate, i think the cheapest were the Yorkshire Hotel and the Kimberley Hotel, Yorkshire hotel looked really nice! a lot of hotels do cheaper deals in winter and on fridays if that would work for you and your family?

Other places to consider could be wetherby and ilkely, think there are a few places there?

Another cost saver could be to have a smaller, call it 'intimate' day do and then invite the majority of people to the evening...this isnt always possible tho as this is what i wanted but couldnt due to family politics!!

We're getting married in Leeds, and I didnt see a massive difference in prices to be honest, Bradford way might be cheaper! one place we did look at was the Old Barn at Esholt, near guiseley, they had loads of different price options!

Where did you choose in Leeds in the end? Can I be really rude and ask what sort of scale wedding you are going for. I'm trying to do a budget rustic shabby chic wedding although my other half would much rather do a grand hotel champagne wedding!

loopylouc

Glad to be of use - I did spend ages trawling sites for venues with my daughter, hotels were just out of our price range. Had another thought for you today if you are wanting a rustic wedding. A friend told me of a wedding that they had been to where they made up picnic baskets for each of the tables, they filled them with breads, quiches, ready prepared salads, cherry tomatoes, cheeses etc. All the food was bought from supermarkets the day before and then the baskets were made up on the morning. They borrowed picnic baskets or bought them in charity shops and car boots before hand.

abby1234519

loopylouc wrote: »

Glad to be of use - I did spend ages trawling sites for venues with my daughter, hotels were just out of our price range. Had another thought for you today if you are wanting a rustic wedding. A friend told me of a wedding that they had been to where they made up picnic baskets for each of the tables, they filled them with breads, quiches, ready prepared salads, cherry tomatoes, cheeses etc. All the food was bought from supermarkets the day before and then the baskets were made up on the morning. They borrowed picnic baskets or bought them in charity shops and car boots before hand.

That is an amazing idea....I've been looking at Marks and Spencers food order thingy. I am rather excited now

Moomin21

abby1234519 wrote: »

Where did you choose in Leeds in the end? Can I be really rude and ask what sort of scale wedding you are going for. I'm trying to do a budget rustic shabby chic wedding although my other half would much rather do a grand hotel champagne wedding!

Hi abby.

We have gone for Cookridge Hall in north Leeds, its a bit odd coz its attached to a health and fitness centre, but the room for the reception is a big airy conservatory! you could proba add lots of shabby chic stuff yourself as its quite plane..my theme is lots of sage green, brown paper, twigs, natural sort of stuff! Their prices are pretty good to, cheapest set menu is 24.95 per person with some nice looking dishes, and the cheapest drinks package is 9.99 which is really good! might be a good compromise with your OH!! have a google, or PM me if you like! to be honest, there isnt a right lot of nice places in Leeds i don't think, unless you want a city centre fancy hotel!

xx

Moomin21

oh and you asked about scale!! 65 for day (i wanted about 5 people but hey ho) , 120ish for evening!

xx