March 30, 2025

How to Plan a 150-Guest Wedding in a Big City Without Spending $50K

If you’re dreaming of a big wedding in a major city — we’re talking LA, NYC, SF-level expensive — and your guest list is pushing 150+, it might feel like you need a trust fund just to send the invites. But don’t worry — $50K+ is not the only path to your big day. With smart planning, realistic expectations, and a solid wedding spreadsheet, you can absolutely pull off a stunning, meaningful celebration for under $45K.

Let’s talk about how to do it.

💡 Why Big-City Weddings Get So Pricey (So Fast)

When people say, “You can’t do a wedding in LA for under $50K,” they’re usually factoring in:

Traditional venues with high rental fees
Full-service catering + open bar
Florals, DJ, stationery, favors, and the whole Pinterest package
Weekend prime dates
Guests in the triple digits

These elements can add up to $50K or more — but you don’t have to say yes to all of them. In fact, you can have an incredible wedding by rethinking how and where you spend. The key is tracking everything from the start.

🧠 Smart Budgeting Starts with a Spreadsheet

One of the most consistent pieces of advice from brides and planners alike is: track everything. This is where a wedding budget spreadsheet becomes your ride-or-die tool.

You’ll want to:

Set a total budget cap (e.g., $40K)
List every category of spending (venue, food, attire, decor, etc.)
Allocate percentages to each based on your priorities
Track quotes and actuals to keep you on course
Update it regularly to spot overages before they happen

📊 Tip: Manjasheets' Wedding Budget Spreadsheet is built exactly for this — including categories for guest count, vendor quotes, and payment tracking.

🎯 How to Trim Costs Without Losing the Vibe

Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing the magic. It just means you’ll need to choose your priorities and get creative.

1. Venue: Rethink “Traditional”

Instead of a hotel ballroom or high-end venue:

Look for restaurants with private event spaces (bonus: decor, furniture, and catering are usually included)
Search Peerspace or local rental halls with built-in amenities
Consider Friday or Sunday weddings (prices are often 30–50% less than Saturdays)
Explore venues outside city limits — even 45 minutes away can make a huge difference

💬 One LA couple hosted 160 guests for under $40K with a Sunday restaurant reception — no venue fee, just a food & beverage minimum.

2. Catering: Go Buffet or Family Style

Plated dinners are beautiful but expensive. Buffets, food trucks, or family-style meals:

Cost less per head
Require fewer staff
Offer a more communal vibe

🎉 A bride in NorCal kept her $55K wedding with 170 guests under control by prioritizing food over florals and DIYing the rest.

3. Florals + Decor: Go Faux or Borrow

Fake florals are way more realistic than they used to be
Join BuyNothing or local wedding swap groups
Choose a venue that’s already visually stunning (less decor needed)
Skip large centerpieces and focus on key impact areas like the arch or head table

🎨 One couple sourced decor from friends and thrift shops, spending under $500 on styling the entire space.

4. Guest List: Consider a Slight Trim

Every guest adds cost — not just for food, but chairs, rentals, favors, even staffing. Cutting 25 guests can easily save $2–3K.

👥 Guests care more about celebrating with you than fancy details. If you're stressed, they'd rather you feel joy than pressure.

5. Skip What Doesn’t Matter to You

No DJ? Use a curated playlist and rent speakers
No open bar? Offer wine, beer, and a signature cocktail
Stationery? Go digital
Designer gown? Try secondhand shops or sample sales

💸 A bride found her wedding dress on Etsy for $70, altered it herself, and still looked stunning.

✨ Real Couples Are Making It Work

Here’s what other real couples shared:

LA couple did 150 guests for ~$45K with a Sunday wedding and DIY decor
Bay Area couple spent $40K on 125 guests by trimming extras like video and elaborate florals
One couple spent just under $30K on 170 guests by focusing on food, skipping planners and opting for digital invites
A destination wedding in Austin came in at $35K for 150 guests — food, bar, and venue included

The common thread? They tracked everything in a wedding planning spreadsheet and made decisions based on what mattered most to them — not Instagram.

✅ The Bottom Line: Yes, You Can Have Your Dream Wedding Under $50K

Planning a large wedding in a big city on a budget is challenging — but absolutely possible. The key is being intentional, flexible, and organized.

Start with a budget spreadsheet. Use it to map your goals, track costs, and stay grounded. Don’t get swept up in what a wedding “should” cost or look like. Focus on your priorities, whether that’s feeding everyone great food, dancing the night away, or just being surrounded by people who love you.

Remember: weddings don’t need to be extravagant to be unforgettable.

✅ Ready to Take Control of Your Wedding Budget?

Start planning with the Wedding Budget Spreadsheet from Manjasheets. It’s the easiest way to track vendors, guest counts, seating, RSVPs, and every penny you spend — all in one place.