How much does it cost to have a Wedding in Marin County?

How Much Does It Cost to Do a Wedding for 100 Guests in Marin County?

Marin County offers stunning backdrops for weddings — from redwood groves and coastal cliffs to vineyard estates and charming historic inns. But with that natural beauty and proximity to San Francisco comes a premium price tag.

When you ask this question to Google you might get ranges that say $27-55K. But let's be real, these computer generated question doesn't fully take into account how much things really cost in Marin County. The numbers I share from you are from typical weddings that want a casual, elegant wedding without a lot of the bells and whistles. Yes you can save money with making decisions to lower food costs or entertainment.

What is most important to my clients? To be fully present in their celebration and to have a great time their friends and family with an iconic stunning location, great food and an epic dance party with a hosted bar all night.

If you're planning a wedding for 100-120 guests in Marin County, here's what you can realistically expect in terms of costs, along with some local insights.

Average Total Cost in Marin County: $75,000-$110,000+

Weddings in Marin will always be above the national average, largely due to higher venue fees, vendor pricing, and regional demand. Here's a breakdown based on local market rates.

1. Venue: $7,000 – $20,000+

Marin County is home to some of the most breathtaking wedding venues in Northern California. From private estates in Mill Valley to ocean-view properties in Stinson Beach and boutique wineries in Nicasio, prices vary depending on exclusivity and amenities.

• State parks or community spaces: $5,000 – $7,000

• Private estates & wineries: $10,000 – $20,000

• Popular venues: e.g., Travis Marina, Slide Ranch, Ralston White Retreat, or Olema House can start around $12,000+

💡 Tip: Some venues include tables, chairs, and parking; others require you to rent everything separately, so factor in rental costs early.

2. Catering & Bar: $10,000 – $20,000

Expect to spend $135 to $200 per person for catering in Marin. Farm-to-table and organic menus are popular (and costly). Many caterers include rentals (plates, glassware, utensils) as part of their packages.

• Full-service with staff & bartenders: $13,000 – $18,000

• Buffet or food truck-style: slightly less, but still upwards of $10,000

• Alcohol: Open bars add $4,000 – $10,000+ depending on selection (and of course the type of drinkers your guest list includes- light, average or heavy drinkers....)

3. Photography & Videography: $5,500 – $8,500

Local photographers familiar with Marin’s light and landscapes often charge more for their experience. Some also offer elopement or mini packages if you're scaling back.

• Photographer only: $5,500 – $8,000

• Add videographer: $3,500 – $5,000 more

I'm finding more of my clients are saying no to videographers and I always feel it is a big missed opportunity. I know people are always looking to save somewhere and this category is usually the first to go but it is something I fully regret not having at my own wedding.

4. Attire: $1,500 – $5,000

While attire costs don’t differ much by location, shopping at Bay Area boutiques or designer salons can push costs up. And most of my brides do opt for a costume "dress change" so they're slipping into something cute, flirty and fun for the dance party.

5. Flowers & Decor: $3,000 – $8,000

Due to local demand and labor costs, floral design in Marin tends to be a lot more expensive. This all depends on how much or how little you're doing with floral decor. If you go to a florist with a specific budget then what you migth find is your floral arrangement may include less blooms and feel less full because the florist may be trying to accomodate your floral budget.

• Bouquets, centerpieces, ceremony arch: $4,000 – $6,000

• Full-service design & custom rentals: $6,000 – $10,000+

6. Entertainment: $1,500 – $4,000

• DJs in Marin: $3,000+

• Live bands: $5,000 – $10,000. Consider venue noise restrictions — some require events to end early or limit amplified sound.

Just remember you need a team providing service the ENTIRE DAY! It's not just the dance party at the end of the night. That team should be providing you a sound system for your music when guests arrive, your ceremony audio, cocktail hour, reception and of course the dance party! This job is not just pushing playlists. They are an important part of the day setting the mood and making sure your sound is heard by all guests.

7. Planner or Coordinator: $4,000 – $20,000+

Given the complexity of many Marin weddings (especially at private venues), hiring a local planner familiar with vendor logistics and county regulations is often worth the cost (more commonly required at most venues).

• Day-of Coordination: $4,000+

• Full-service planning: $10,000 – $20,000+

8. Stationery/Signage: $700 – $4,000

Bay Area designers or letterpress printers come at a premium, but many couples opt for digital invites to save money. Don't forget to include signage as part of this category. You'll likely want to have a welcome sign, seating chart, and menus as the most basic standard.

9. Cake & Desserts: $800 – $3,500

Wedding cakes from high-end Marin or SF bakeries (like Blooming Cakes, SusieCakes, Miette) can cost $8–$15 per slice. A lot of my couples are opting for a simple 9" cake to cut and then offering dessert bites or ice cream to guests. Some dessert stations might include a vintage truck, vehicle or bike set-up a station that feels fun and inviting. I always like recommending offering this selection as a dessert buffet station during dance party otherwise your guests will take a few bites and leave most of it on the table to be thrown away. When guests take their time to get their dessert we find more dessert is consumed because your guest is ready for it.

10. Other Considerations: $1,500 – $4,000

• Live Musicians for your ceremony or cocktail hour

• Transportation for guests to remote venues (e.g., shuttle buses): $800 – $2,000

• Photobooth typically start around $1,000 and can go up to $2,000+ if choosing a video style photo booth.

• Favors depending on what you're looking for can be as inexpensive as a matchbox or something more expensive such as a wrap or bottle of wine. This is an area I find my clients that are on a tighter budget cut first.

• Valet, Parking attendants, permits, or insurance

• Hair & makeup: $800 – $1,000 for the bride alone and then an additional $250-350 per additional beauty slot.

• Wedding Party Gifts

• Welcome Party/Rehearsal Dinner

• Vendor tips & service fees

Sample Marin Wedding Budget for 100 Guests:

Item	Estimated Cost
Venue	$12,000
Catering ($150/pp) + Bar	$25,000
Photographer + Video	$7,000
Attire	$3,500
Flowers + Decor	$6,000
Music (DJ)	$3,500
Planner/Coordinator	$4,000
Stationery	$800
Cake + Desserts	$800
Rentals	$6,000
Misc.	$3,000
Total	$71,600

*Gratuities have not been added to this sample budget.

Final Thoughts

Marin County weddings are truly magical — but they come with a price tag that reflects the area’s exclusivity and natural beauty. The key to managing costs is to prioritize what matters most: Is it the view? The food? The party? Once you know what you're willing to splurge on, you can find creative ways to save elsewhere. Are there ways to shave off expenses from the sample above? Yes, of course. There are always ways to save on your venue selection or your food options. Once you decide on what's most important to your big day it will become more clear how to cut certain expenses that feel less important to you.

Above all, don't forget the reason behind it all: you're celebrating love in one of the most beautiful places in California.

Photo Credit: Jessica Kay Photography

Venue: Lyford House, Tiburon CA

Planner: Golden Gate Special Events LCC