How Much Does a 50–100 Guest Wedding Cost in Roanoke VA?
A 50–100 guest wedding in Roanoke VA usually costs between $15,000 and $35,000, depending on your venue, food, décor, and time of year. Smaller guest lists help control costs, but your choices still matter. Here’s how to plan a realistic budget in Southwest Virginia.
Planning a wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains sounds simple at first. You pick a date, invite your favorite people, and say “I do.” But once you start pricing vendors, you realize there are many moving parts. The good news? A 50–100 guest wedding gives you flexibility without the price tag of a 200-person event.
Let’s break down what you can expect in an area like Roanoke VA and nearby cities like Salem, Blacksburg, and Lynchburg.
What Is the Average Wedding Cost in Roanoke VA?
Wedding prices in Southwest Virginia are lower than in big metro areas like Northern Virginia. That’s
one reason couples love getting married here.
For 50–100 guests, here’s a simple cost range:
Venue: $4,000–$9,000
Catering: $4,000–$10,000
Photography: $2,500–$4,500
Flowers & décor: $2,000–$5,000
Music/entertainment: $1,000–$3,000
Attire, cake, rentals, extras: $3,000–$6,000
These numbers vary based on season, day of the week, and how detailed your vision is. Virginia seasonal considerations also play a big role. Fall weddings in the Blue Ridge Mountains are in high demand because of the changing leaves.
Many couples find that booking a dedicated wedding venue helps simplify planning because key elements are already built into the space.
How Much Does the Venue Cost for 50–100 Guests?
Your venue is usually your largest expense. In Roanoke VA, pricing depends on:
Indoor vs. outdoor space
Included tables and chairs
Getting-ready suites
On-site coordination
Ceremony and reception in one location
Choosing a local event venue like Bent Oaks Manor often reduces rental needs because the property already offers beautiful indoor and outdoor areas. When you don’t have to transform a blank space, you spend less on décor.
Couples planning in Salem or Blacksburg sometimes consider banquet halls or restaurants, but these can add hidden costs like extra rentals or limited event time. A private property gives you more control over the full day.
How Much Is Catering for 50–100 Guests?
Food costs usually run $20–$100 per person in Southwest Virginia. That means:
50 guests = $1,000–$5,000
100 guests = $2,000–$10,000
Buffet service costs less than plated dinners. Bar service is another factor. Beer and wine only will cost much less than a full open bar.
Many couples planning smaller weddings are also thinking about atmosphere. A mid-size guest list allows for more personal touches, something couples often overlook until they explore ideas about how to make your wedding feel intimate even with a big guest list.
When your guest count stays under 100, you can shift money toward better food or upgraded desserts without blowing the budget.
Do Seasonal Dates Change Wedding Costs in Virginia?
Yes, they absolutely do.
In Roanoke VA and across Southwest Virginia, peak wedding months are:
May and June
September and October
Fall is especially popular because of the Blue Ridge Mountains backdrop. That demand pushes prices higher.
Winter weddings (January through March) and some summer dates can cost less. If you’re flexible, weekday weddings also save money.
Couples comparing dates often benefit from understanding seasonal considerations for your wedding date before signing contracts. Weather, daylight hours, and guest travel from Lynchburg or Blacksburg all affect your overall experience.
What Hidden Costs Should You Plan For?
Even small weddings come with surprise expenses. Here are a few that add up quickly:
Marriage license fees
Vendor tips
Hotel blocks for out-of-town guests
Transportation
Extra décor upgrades
Overtime fees
This is where many couples go over budget. Looking back, some say they wish they had thought more carefully about their priorities. That’s why conversations about what couples regret most about wedding planning can be helpful early in the process.
When you know what really matters to you, it’s easier to spend wisely.
Can You Have a Beautiful Wedding Under $20,000?
Yes, especially with 50–75 guests.
Here’s how couples in Roanoke VA make it work:
First, they keep the guest list tight. Every guest affects catering, rentals, and bar costs.
Second, they choose a venue that doesn’t require heavy decoration. Historic properties and estates already offer charm, which lowers floral and rental needs.
Third, they focus spending on what guests remember most: good food, clear sound for the ceremony, and great photos.
A well-designed space like Bent Oaks Manor allows couples to host both ceremony and reception in one place, cutting transportation and time limits that sometimes come with other event venue options.
Smaller weddings also leave room for more meaningful details, whether that’s handwritten notes or upgraded dinner service.
What About Photography and Entertainment Costs?
Photography in Southwest Virginia typically ranges from $2,500 to $4,500 for full-day coverage. Experienced photographers charge more, but they also know how to handle varied lighting and shifting weather.
Music costs vary too. A DJ might run $1,000–$2,000. A live band could be $3,000 or more.
For 50–100 guests, many couples find that a DJ fits the space and budget best. Smaller guest counts mean you don’t need oversized production or lighting.
How Does Guest Count Affect Total Cost?
Every guest adds:
A chair
A plate
A drink
A favor
A slice of cake
That’s why trimming from 100 guests to 75 can save thousands.
If you’re on the fence between inviting everyone or keeping it close, think about how you want the day to feel. A 50–75 person wedding in Roanoke VA often feels relaxed and personal. Guests can talk, move around, and enjoy the setting without long lines or crowded dance floors.
In Southwest Virginia, where many guests drive in from Salem, Blacksburg, or Lynchburg, smaller weddings can also make travel and lodging easier.
Is a 100-Guest Wedding Considered Small?
Historically, yes. National averages are often over 120 guests. However, the numbers are trending down in areas like southwest VA as couples are choosing more intentional guest list to not only save on cost, but also make the day more personal and intimate.
At an indoor/outdoor venue like Bent Oaks Manor in Roanoke VA, that guest count allows you to fill the space enough to feel festive and active, but not overwhelming.
It’s a sweet spot for couples who want energy without chaos.
Final Thoughts: Comparing Bent Oaks Manor to Average Venue Costs
When you look at local averages in Roanoke VA, many wedding venues just charge for space — ranging roughly $2,000 to $15,000+ for facility rental alone, depending on size and amenities. Many other historic houses or banquet halls in the region fall into that general range, but you still pay extra for things like tents, tables, chairs, tents, and coordination unless it’s built into the price.
By contrast, Bent Oaks Manor offers tiered options that help you manage your budget with more clarity. Their “Simply Yours” single-day package around $4,500 gives you exclusive use of the property, outdoor space, and basic setup, which already sits at a typical rental cost but includes more access and function than a bare room. Their “Memorable Manor” weekend package around $7,000 adds linens, multiple getting-ready spaces, lodging for a small group, and space flexibility — perks you’d usually add separately at other venues. The fully **“Effortless Day” all-inclusive experience — $22,000–$32,000 — bundles catering (for up to ~100 guests), bartending, DJ, florist, photographer, desserts, and a tent, putting most major vendors under one price umbrella.
Compared to the average all-in wedding costs in Roanoke VA — often $30,000–$35,000 or more when you add catering, entertainment, and vendor fees — Bent Oaks Manor’s structured packages can simplify budgeting and reduce surprise costs.
This gives you a clear picture of where your money goes — from simple space rental to a complete weekend experience — and helps you decide how much to allocate for guest count, amenities, and extras without losing the charm of a Blue Ridge Mountains wedding.
Roanoke Wedding Cost FAQs
Is $20,000 enough for a 75ish-person wedding in Roanoke VA?
Yes. With smart choices on venue, catering style, and décor, $20,000 can comfortably cover a 75-person wedding in Southwest Virginia.
What is the cheapest month to get married in Virginia?
January, February, and sometimes July tend to have lower demand, which can reduce vendor costs.
Does guest count or décor impact the budget more?
Guest count always has a bigger impact because catering and bar service are priced per person.
How far in advance should I book a wedding venue in Roanoke VA?
For peak fall dates, 12–18 months in advance is common. Off-season weddings may have more flexibility, sometimes as short as 12-16 weeks!
