San Francisco is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a fact that makes this Golden Gate City a dream destination for weddings.
And while it does carry a reputation for being pricey, there are quite a few budget friendly places where you can have a wedding ceremony without breaking the bank. Even better, there are also many locations that are offered at discounted rates either when it’s not on a Saturday or during the off-seasons. Join me as I take you through some of these. With that said, the only thing you shouldn’t skimp on, are San Francisco wedding photography services. Quality pictures of your wedding should be at least number two in your priority list.
Budget Friendly Wedding Destinations In San Francisco
The Presidio Golf Course & Clubhouse, featuring ocean and bay views is yet another budget-friendly venue you may want to try out. It also features a cathedral ceiling and limestone fireplace and will cost around $500-$5,000 per event.
The Swedenborgian Church is one of the most affordable wedding venues in San Francisco. With a warm wood interior and huge brick fireplace as well as a quiet garden out front, it’s indeed your goto venue if youâre looking for a sense of class but are short on your budget. The venue will cost somewhere from $1,400-$2,200 per event, depending on the size and profile of the wedding ceremony.
Another hidden jewel in San Francisco is The Marines Memorial that comes at a rate of $1,750-$2,250 per event. Here, the entire 10th and 11th floors are dedicated to unique banquet and meeting spaces.
Apart from the ones highlighted above, other budget-friendly venues in San Francisco include the Jewish Community Centre of San Francisco ($185-$4,400 per event), the Fort Mason Center ($1,350-$9,400 per event) and the Hornblower Cruises ($98 per person and up). There is also the Hotel Kabuki ($55/person and up) and the First Unitarian Universalist Church ($700-$1,500 per event).
Please note that the above-mentioned prices are simply approximates and could vary depending on the day of week, whether it is on or off-season, space reserved, guest count, etc.
Some Key Points That Will Enable You Capitalize On Your Wedding Funds In San Francisco
One of the best ways to enthrall your guests is to have a 4 to 5 hour break between the ceremony and reception, during which time they get to explore San Francisco and get ready for the nighttime reception.
To get your guests groove to their favourite tunes, you can ask your friends and family for song suggestions prior to the wedding day and create your own playlists to be played at the reception venue, connecting your iPod/iPhone to the venue’s music system.
Also, instead of a full meal type reception, going for a cocktail reception with 15-20 different small appetizer style foods can be a cost effective alternative that your guests will love. Itâs always good to have enough bartenders because lines at the bar are not too inspiring.
Booking your wedding venue on a weekday is cheaper and can save you money on vendor services like catering and entertainment. Going for an off peak wedding, like planning the wedding during winter is another approach to cut costs.
You might also consider having the ceremony and the reception at the same place. This can save a lot of money on transportation. Having the same vendor offering multiple services can help you get better rates. A friend or a family member with some unique skills might add something special to your big day. So, it’s always helpful to ask if they might be willing to contribute (and they always are).
San Francisco is aptly referred to as The Paris of the West and is definitely a dream destination and a romantic place to get married, not only for the rich and famous but also for everyone who wishes to create a lifetime of wonderful memories to cherish!
