A Midwest Perspective on a 30 Person Wedding
One of the first questions couples ask when they start planning their intimate wedding is: "How much should we actually budget?" It's a fair question, and one that doesn't have a simple answer. As someone in the wedding industry here in Southwest Ohio, I've seen 30-person weddings range from $5,000 to well over $30,000, and here's the thing—they were all beautiful in their own way.
Let me share what I've learned from real couples about budgeting for an intimate celebration, specifically from a Midwest perspective where we can still get incredible value without the premium pricing of coastal markets.
The Reality Check: It Varies More Than You Think
When I recently asked couples about their 30-person wedding budgets, the responses were all over the map—and that's completely normal. Your budget will depend on several key factors:
Your location within the Midwest (even within Ohio, Cincinnati pricing differs from rural areas)
Your priorities (are you splurging on food, flowers, or photography?)
The vibe you're going for (laid-back backyard versus elevated barn venue)
Time of year and day of week (Saturday in October versus Friday in March)
What's included in your venue (all-inclusive versus à la carte)
The important thing is to go into planning with realistic expectations rather than assumptions based on what you've heard from friends or seen on social media.
Real Budget Examples from Real Couples
Let me share some actual numbers from couples who've recently celebrated their intimate weddings:
The $5,000 Wedding
Yes, this is possible! One couple pulled off a beautiful 30-person celebration for around $5,000. How? They focused ruthlessly on what mattered most to them and got creative with the rest. Typically, weddings at this budget level involve:
A backyard or public park venue (minimal or no venue fee)
Family-style or buffet catering from a local restaurant
DIY or minimal florals and décor
A friend or family member as photographer
Simplified bar options (beer, wine, and signature cocktail)
Digital invitations and simple paper goods
This approach works beautifully for couples who value the gathering over the grandeur. There's something wonderfully authentic about a backyard celebration where the focus is purely on the people and the commitment.
The $12,500 Wedding
This is a sweet spot for many Midwest couples planning intimate weddings. At this budget level, you can typically include:
A mid-range venue rental ($1,500-$3,000)
Professional catering with plated service ($50-$75 per person)
A professional photographer ($2,000-$3,500)
Quality florals and décor ($1,500-$2,500)
Full bar service
Professional DJ or live musician
Wedding cake or dessert bar
Invitations and paper goods
One couple I spoke with had their wedding at this budget level and mentioned they felt like they didn't have to sacrifice anything important to them. They chose a venue with natural beauty that didn't require extensive decoration, which helped them allocate more funds toward an incredible photographer and chef-prepared meal.
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The $15,000-$20,000 Wedding
When you move into this range for 30 guests, you're entering "splurge territory" where you can really elevate specific elements. Couples at this budget often choose to:
Book a premium venue with amenities included
Offer a high-end culinary experience (think multi-course plated dinner, passed appetizers, premium bar)
Invest significantly in photography and videography
Create a stunning floral installation or multiple arrangements
Add special touches like live music, lounge furniture, premium linens, specialty lighting
Include welcome gifts for guests or a post-wedding brunch
Several couples mentioned that this is where they felt they could have the "luxury" intimate wedding—every detail carefully curated and beautifully executed.
The $25,000+ Wedding
For couples working with this budget for 30 guests, the sky's the limit. This allows for:
A destination wedding or multi-day celebration
Luxury accommodations for guests
Celebrity or sought-after vendors
Completely custom everything (custom dress, bespoke invitations, designed-from-scratch florals)
Additional events (rehearsal dinner, welcome party, farewell brunch)
One couple shared that they spent around $30,000 on their 30-person wedding, but it included a weekend getaway experience for their guests, with accommodation, multiple meals, and activities all included.
Breaking Down Where the Money Goes
Understanding the typical cost breakdown can help you allocate your budget wisely. Here's what I generally see for a $12,500 budget serving 30 guests in Ohio:
Venue: $2,000-$2,500 (20%) This might include the ceremony and reception space, tables, chairs, and getting-ready areas. Some venues include more, which affects other categories.
Catering: $3,000-$3,500 (25-30%) For 30 guests at $100-$115 per person including service, rentals, and full bar. This is often the largest single expense.
Photography: $2,500-$3,000 (20-25%) A professional photographer with 6-8 hours of coverage and digital images. For intimate weddings, many photographers offer customized packages.
Florals and Décor: $1,500-$2,000 (12-15%) Bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets if applicable, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and ceremony arrangement.
Music/Entertainment: $800-$1,200 (8-10%) DJ services or a live musician for ceremony and reception.
Wedding Attire: $800-$1,500 (8-12%) Bride's dress and alterations, groom's attire, accessories.
Miscellaneous: $900-$1,000 (5-8%) Invitations, marriage license, tips, emergency kit, guest book, favors, etc.
The Midwest Advantage
Here in Ohio and the broader Midwest, we have a significant advantage when it comes to wedding budgets. What might cost $200 per person in New York or California can often be done for $80-$120 per person here without sacrificing quality.
Our local vendors are incredibly talented, our venues are beautiful and diverse, and the cost of doing business is simply lower. This means your budget stretches further, allowing you to either spend less overall or invest more in the elements that matter most to you.
At Cedar Bay Farm, for example, we've worked with couples across the entire budget spectrum. Some choose our space specifically because they can create an elevated experience at a reasonable price point. The barn's natural beauty means you don't need to spend thousands on transforming the space—it's already stunning.
What Couples Splurge On
When I asked couples with 30-person weddings what they chose to splurge on, here's what I heard most often:
Food and Drink With a smaller guest count, many couples upgrade to premium catering options. Instead of standard banquet fare, they opt for a celebrated local chef, farm-to-table menu, or specialty cuisine. Some include extensive passed appetizers, premium wine pairings, or a craft cocktail bar. When you're feeding 30 people instead of 150, these upgrades become much more feasible.
Photography and Videography Time and again, couples told me their photos were their best investment. Many chose to book both photography and videography, or opted for extended coverage to capture getting-ready moments and the entire reception. With an intimate wedding, your photographer can capture more candid moments and individual interactions.
Florals Several couples mentioned creating one show-stopping floral element—maybe a dramatic ceremony arch, a lush centerpiece installation, or an abundance of bouquets and arrangements. With fewer tables to cover, you can go bigger and bolder on statement pieces.
The Experience Some couples splurged on creating an overall experience: maybe a weekend getaway aspect, special transportation, premium welcome bags, or a post-wedding brunch. The goal was making the celebration feel like a true event rather than just a single evening.
Where Smart Couples Save
Just as important as knowing where to splurge is understanding where you can save without sacrificing quality:
Weekday or Friday Weddings Many venues and vendors offer reduced rates for non-Saturday weddings. For a 30-person celebration, it's often easier to host on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon since you're coordinating fewer schedules.
Off-Season Months If you're flexible on timing, consider months like January, February, March, or November. The venues and vendors you love may have more availability and better pricing.
Simplified Bar Options Instead of a full premium open bar, consider beer, wine, and one or two signature cocktails. Your 30 guests will appreciate the personal touch, and you'll save significantly on alcohol costs.
Digital Elements Save the dates and invitations can be beautifully done digitally. For a small guest list, you might choose to do formal invitations but skip save-the-dates altogether.
Ceremony and Reception in One Location By keeping everything in one place, you eliminate transportation costs and timing complications. Guests also appreciate not having to drive between locations.
The Budget Conversation with Your Partner
One of the most important things I tell couples is to have honest conversations about money early in the planning process. Some questions to discuss:
What's our realistic total budget, considering our savings and family contributions?
What are our non-negotiables? (These are the 2-3 things that matter most)
What are we willing to DIY or simplify?
Are we comfortable with debt for our wedding, or do we want to stay within cash flow?
How do our families feel about budget and their involvement?
I've seen couples stress about wedding costs when they haven't aligned on these fundamental questions. Getting on the same page early prevents conflict later.
Building in Buffer
Whatever budget you land on, build in a 10-15% buffer for unexpected costs and last-minute additions. Things come up: you fall in love with an upgrade, you decide to add a videographer, the guest count inches up slightly, you want to tip more generously than planned. Having that cushion reduces stress significantly.
Getting the Most Value
The key to maximizing your budget isn't necessarily spending less—it's spending intentionally. Here's how:
Prioritize ruthlessly: Identify your top 3 priorities and allocate the bulk of your budget there
Interview multiple vendors: Get quotes from at least 3 vendors in each category
Read contracts carefully: Understand exactly what's included and what costs extra
Ask about package deals: Many venues and vendors offer better pricing when you bundle services
Be honest about your budget: Good vendors will work to create options within your range
Trust experienced vendors: Sometimes paying a bit more for proven quality saves money in the long run
A Final Thought on Budget
After talking with dozens of couples about their intimate wedding budgets, here's what stands out: the couples who felt best about their spending were the ones who stayed true to their values and priorities.
Some spent $5,000 and felt like they had the perfect day. Others invested $30,000 and felt the same way. The difference wasn't the amount—it was the intentionality behind the spending.
For a 30-person wedding in the Midwest, I typically tell couples to budget between $10,000-$20,000 for a beautiful, well-executed celebration with professional vendors. You can absolutely do it for less with creativity and DIY efforts, or spend more for luxury touches. But in that middle range, you can create something truly special without financial stress.
At Cedar Bay Farm, we work with couples across all budget levels to create their perfect intimate wedding. The beauty of a micro wedding is that you have options—you can choose where to invest and where to simplify based on what matters most to you.
Ready to talk numbers and possibilities for your 30-person wedding? Let's schedule a time to visit Cedar Bay Farm and discuss how we can make your vision a reality within your budget.
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