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Santa Barbara Private Estate Budgets

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Or email James R. Johnson of Events Unlimited

If you have decided that the estate wedding is right for you and your families are planning to make that investment, then you can afford that everything goes right and nothing goes wrong. Multimillion dollar estates are unique and often present an unsuspected array of situations that you do not want to become problems: parking restrictions, delivery timing, setup and breakdown, neighbors.

Private Estates Budget Guidelines.

First and foremost to consider is the ideal time of year and number of guests you are anticipating.
- Often couples will inquire about touring locations – saying that the location will determine when they will wed. This is naïve.
- Estate owners often reside in their residences, therefore they will want to know not only when your wedding is scheduled but also the number of guests that you anticipate entertaining before they can show yo their property..
- Estate locations most always require an outdoor reception; this may limit your options to particular months or seasons. Also keep in mind that the colder, shorter days of winter often require costly items such as heaters, canopies, flooring, and lighting.
Secondly, you, your fiancé/fiancée, and your families should determine the maximum operating budget that your are comfortable spending on your wedding and reception. (This amount should exclude accommodations, gifts, and wedding attire.)
Determining your budget after you have begun booking venders or touring locations is inadvisable and will likely result in a great deal of surprise and stress. It is imperative that you have a general idea of what your budget is.

Sample Budget Component Costs
based on 140-persons guest count. Budget for Typical Estate Wedding
based on a 140-person guest count

Budget Components Average Cost (US$)

Estate Fee
5,000(&up)

Coordination Fee (required for most respectable estates)
4,000

Catering (passed hors d’oeuvres, sitdown, or buffet dinner)
50.00 per guest

Beverage (beer, wine, champagne, sodas, bottled waters)
30.00 per guest

Staffing (setup, event, and cleanup)
20.00 per guest

Floral (ceremony, cocktails, dining room, miscellaneous)
20.00 per guest

Rentals (tables, chairs, china, stemware, linens, dance flooring, kitchen, bars, etc.)
30.00-40.00 per guest

Photography (packages vary widely)
2,500-5,000

Wedding Cake ($3-5 per slice)
600

Valet (required at estate locations)
1,500-2,500

Entertainment (during ceremony, cocktails, & reception)
2,000-5,000

Invitations (selection-dependent)
2.00-5.00 each

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Budget Component Cost (US$)

Wedding and Reception (at $250 per guest)
35,000

Planning and Location
8,000

Infrastructure (any hidden costs associated with location, including bathrooms, canopies heaters, lighting, power, and other structure-oriented items)

2,000

Total
45,000

Other costs to consider include power and lighting, bathrooms (the plumbing of most older estates cannot accommodate guest counts greater than 100), insurance (a simple homeowner policy of a family member will typically suffice), and security (often a requirement of the estate owner).
If you can fit into the parameters of this formula, you will not have a problem creating the beautiful estate wedding of your dreams (spring & summer)

(Left: Bouquet by Beach Ball)

It is fair to say that a 120- to 150-guest estate wedding in Santa Barbara during the warmer spring and summer months costs somewhere around $40,000 to $50,000. If your ideal budget is $25,000-$30,000, your should probably consider something other than an estate location. (Note: Even with 100 guests, you would still need a $35,000-minimum budget in order to provide all that is required at most estate locations.)
Thirdly, hire a professional event planner to help you bring your wedding dream to fruition, to keep you on schedule and on budget, and to present you with qualified and proven service providers.
If you plan to spend $30,000+ on your special day, it had best be just that – special, as perfect as a day could possibly be.

James R. Johnson of Events Unlimited
If you can fit into the parameters of our formula, you will have no problem creating the beautiful estate wedding of your dreams
James R. Johnson of Events Unlimited
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There are many private estates to choose from for the couple that prefers complete privacy.
We have coordinated many Commitment Ceremonies and work with several local gay and gay friendly businesses. Cérémonies d'engagement mutuel
Il y à Santa Barbara beaucoup de belles propriétés privées pour ceux qui préfèrent une totale intimité.

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