An event planner has lifted the lid on how much it costs to host your wedding at some of the world’s most iconic locations.
Cameron Forbes, who owns Forbes Functions, reveals how much brides have to spend to hold their wedding at places such as New York City’s famed Plaza Hotel, where ‘Bride Wars’ was filmed, and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the south of France, where Sophia Richie married Eliot Grainge.
The 25-year-old ex-banker first began her company as a side hustle but after hosting numerous successful weddings, she decided to make it her career.
Cameron documents the planning activities of her all-women team on a TikTok series called ‘Budget Breakdown.’
Cameron Forbes, owner of Forbes Functions, has released a string of videos on how much brides would have to spend to recreate Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding to Big or Sophia Richie’s wedding to Eliot Grainge
The young entrepreneur told DailyMail.com just how much it costs to tie the knot at one of New York’s most iconic hotels, The Plaza.
The hotel, which was the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, costs between $180,000 to $200,000 for 250 guests for a wedding next year.
The Plaza allows couples to hold their wedding event in either at the Grand Ballroom or the Terrace Room, which cost about $13,000 just to rent.
But if a couple wants to rent out either the Oak Room or the Palm Court as well, they are looking at an additional $30,000 for each room.
The fees cover china, glassware, cutlery, tables, and a bridal suite for the day of the event.
The Plaza allows couples to hold their wedding event either at the Grand Ballroom (pictured) or the Terrace Room. To rent out either of those rooms, the couple would end up spending about $13,000 in rental fees each
Along with this, those wishing to rent the Oak Room or the Palm Court (pictured) would have to spend an additional $30,000 in rental fees respectively
The hotel, which has acted as inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby can cost anywhere between $180,000 to $200,000 for 250 guests in 2025
The Plaza has a 200 guest minimum and charges $515 per person for food, drinks, gratuity and fees.
The food and beverage charge also includes a wedding cake, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course served dinner, three cocktail stations and a premium open bar, all staffed by white glove butlers.
Couples are also required to hire their own sound and lighting, which can cost an extra $40,000.
None of the included costs cover design or decorations.
In another video, she details having a wedding at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, Manhattan.
The famous riverside boathouse – which acted as one of the wedding locations in Katherine Heigl and James Marsden’s ’27 Dresses’ – is actually one of the more affordable venues in super pricey Manhattan.
A 230 guest wedding on a Saturday night at the Loeb Boathouse would cost about $70,000
Cameron estimated that it would cost $15,000 to $18,000 to have a wedding at the Biltmore Estate
She also noted it would cost between $15,000 to $20,000 to have a wedding at 620 Loft and Garden at the Rockefeller Center
Cameron noted organizers have a 165 guest minimum for peak days such as Friday or Saturday night, and 125 if the wedding is held during the day.
There are no location rental fees, but ceremony as well as a food and beverage fees.
Forbes estimated the meals start at $165 a person with a $40,000 minimum, including tax and gratuity.
This includes five-hour access to the boathouse’s Lake Room, a cocktail hour with butlers serving hors d’oeuvres, a four-course seated meal with two different entrées, wine service and five-hour open bar as well as lighting, tables, chairs, linens, silverware rental.
The venue also provides couple’s with an onsite manager to assist during the planning process.
So a 230 guest wedding on a Saturday night at the Loeb Boathouse would cost about $70,000.
She also revealed that it costs over $1.5 million to have a wedding at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc – where Richie married Grainge
‘I would also suggest reaching out to venues and professionals to understand what pricing works best and getting married in the off-season such as January and off days,’ Forbes told DailyMail.com
Above all, Forbes recommended that brides seek out experts to ensure that their big day goes as smooth as possible
Similarly, Cameron estimated that it would cost between $15,000 to $20,000 to have a wedding at 620 Loft and Garden at the Rockefeller Center and $15,000 to $18,000 at the Biltmore Estate.
She also revealed that it costs over $1.5 million to have a wedding at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc – where Richie married Grainge.
But the seasoned planner, who once pulled together an engagement party in the span of 12 weeks, also has tips for those looking to have their weddings at a budget in these locations.
‘The most important thing is deciding your priorities as a couple.
‘From there, we can build a budget to make sure a majority of it is devoted based on their list.
‘I would also suggest reaching out to venues and professionals to understand what pricing works best and getting married in the off-season such as January and off days,’ Forbes told DailyMail.com.
She also noted that one of the most popular ways 2025 brides are escaping staggering wedding costs is by holding elopement celebrations or smaller intimate events.
Above all, Forbes recommended that brides seek out experts to ensure that their big day goes as smooth as possible.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk