By Terry Meadows
Are you considering an all-inclusive wedding venue for your special day?
Curious about what sets these venues apart from traditional options?
At Zion Springs, with experience from over 450 weddings, we are dedicated to helping couples make informed decisions for their big day.
In this article, we’ll explore what a truly all-inclusive wedding venues offer, the benefits they provide, and how they can simplify your planning process. We'll also share tips on selecting the right venue and answer some of the most common questions couples have. Let's get started on making your wedding planning process easier and more enjoyable!
What is an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue?
An all-inclusive wedding venue is perfect for couples who want to avoid the stress and time-consuming details of planning a wedding. With these venues, the wedding planner handles all the arrangements, allowing you to enjoy your day without hassle.
Upfront Cost
One of the main advantages is the upfront cost transparency. There are no unexpected bills popping up just days before your wedding. Many couples are surprised to find that traditional weddings often come with an additional $15,000 to $20,000 in unexpected expenses.
Cost Effective
While the initial price of an all-inclusive venue might seem high, it can often be more cost-effective. When you start itemizing the cost of each wedding component, you may find that the all-inclusive option offers better value. This is mainly because you’re working with one vendor who has an experienced in-house team to manage every detail.
Comparing Packages and Costs
However, not all all-inclusive venues are the same. Some offer a basic plan with multiple add-ons that can increase the overall cost. Others provide the venue space but charge extra for essential items like tables, chairs, flatware, and linens. Some venues might include space and catering but require you to choose from a list of preferred vendors for other services. To avoid unexpected costs, ask detailed questions to understand what their all-inclusive package truly covers.
What does an all-inclusive wedding package include?
An all-inclusive wedding package typically covers all the essential elements of your wedding, from the venue and catering to decor and coordination services, providing a seamless and stress-free experience.
It's important to verify that any venue you consider truly offers an all-inclusive package, as not all do. Be sure to check what each venue includes.
Frequently Asked Questions About All-Inclusive Wedding Venues.
These are some questions you should consider as you choose your all-inclusive venue.
Is an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue Cost-Effective?
According to the latest study by The Wedding Report, the average wedding cost in Northern Virginia is $60,000. This figure includes all the various expenses most couples budget for their big day. With an all-inclusive wedding venue, these costs are bundled into a single package.
These venues often have established relationships with vendors, allowing them to offer discounts. They typically employ in-house staff, which further reduces overall expenses. Additionally, you won't need to worry about transporting food, flowers, or supplies, as everything is handled on-site. Fees and gratuities are paid once, rather than to each individual vendor, simplifying the process and potentially saving you money.
Does an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue Save Time and Stress?
Planning a wedding is very stressful and time-consuming. There are many moving parts, such as catering and beverages, cake, flowers, music, invitations, RSVPs, etc. Having your venue take care of these details is a major reason why people choose all-inclusive. This is a perfect solution for you if you’re not a planner as the venues are in the business of organizing and conducting weddings and you are not!
Is an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue Convenient?
Having a wedding all under one roof can make it all so much easier. Even if you plan on having a religious ceremony at a house of worship, the reception can be held at the all-inclusive venue. Many of them have a beautiful space for both if you choose to do it all in one location.
They set up and take care of everything, and have all that they need in-house. You are not required to vet and approve vendors for your services, and you don’t have to deal with multiple vendors for each item on your list.
Does an All-Inclusive Wedding Include a Wedding Planner and In-House Team?
As part of your package, you get a wedding planner. They help you with all of the logistics of putting together your wedding, from the flower arrangements to the menu to the music, and execute everything on the day of. They work with the in-house staff to ensure a seamless experience based on what you want to remember for your wedding.
What do I Need to Rent for an All-Inclusive Wedding?
You don’t have to worry about renting furniture, place settings, glassware, flatware, linens, serving dishes and utensils, etc. The all-inclusive will provide everything you need for your celebration. This means you are not negotiating with vendors for quotes, delivery schedules, and transportation.
What Bar Options do I Need for an All-Inclusive Wedding?
All-inclusive venues already have a liquor license so they include alcohol packages with an open bar option. They take care of the inventory, sourcing, storing, and serving of beverages/alcohol that you want to have for you and your guests. That might mean a special beer, a favorite wine, or a signature cocktail.
Is Lodging Included in an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue?
If your all-inclusive venue has lodging, you have just eliminated the huge headache of booking remote hotels, logistics, and coordinating transportation. Guests no longer have to get a car or shuttle from the hotel to the wedding if they can walk there instead.
You can reserve a block of rooms for your guests, who can then join you before and after your wedding. No worries about guests driving after a few cocktails! Having guests stay on-site allows them to relax, have a great time, and then off for a good night’s sleep just a few paces away.
While the allure of an all-inclusive wedding, with its seamless coordination and comprehensive packages, often presents an attractive, stress-free option for many couples, it's important to acknowledge that this path might not align perfectly with everyone's vision.
Let's explore the other side of the coin. For those who relish the thrill of piecing together each detail or who dream of a highly personalized and unique celebration, the structured nature of an all-inclusive package might feel limiting.
Top 3 Reasons NOT to Choose an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue
While you might be leaning more towards having an all-inclusive wedding, you also need to consider that there are some drawbacks. You might feel that some of these are deal-breakers for you, but some might be negotiable too.
1. Potential for Limited Choices and Personalization
All-inclusive venues store and provide decor inventory for you to choose from. Make sure it is to your taste and vision. If not, then ask if you can bring in some decor of your own such as centerpieces or lanterns. The venue’s decor should match the style of the venue, so if you love the venue you will most likely like the decor they provide. If they don’t allow much personalization, however, then take that into consideration.
Have a Pinterest board ready for their review to make sure they can bring your own style to life.
If you’re choosing an all-inclusive venue that has its own in-house staff, then you most likely won’t be able to hire your brother-in-law as your photographer or have your sister bake your cake. You’ll have to discuss their policy for making exceptions.
2. What Surprises and “Gotcha” Costs are There with an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue?
3. Does Every All-Inclusive Wedding Venue Include Everything?
Always compare your list for your dream wedding with the venue’s list of all-inclusive services. Having a full understanding of what your wedding is going to cost will help you see all the services and supplies you can expect to pay for your wedding. Some venues say they are all-inclusive and yet don’t include some basic options, much less than your favorite things. If you choose to go all-inclusive, carefully compare what each venue offers and, if they are missing, what is important to you. Get a solid idea of inclusive and add-on costs to calculate your total budget.
In the end, whether you opt for the all-encompassing ease of an all-inclusive venue or chart a more customized course, the most important element is that your wedding day feels authentically 'you'."
Comparing Costs with Our Downloadable Worksheet
Using our downloadable worksheet, you can enter the costs for each item in your wedding budget and compare them with the costs of an all-inclusive venue. This tool helps you see what each venue includes and identify any add-ons or extra costs. While some compromises might be necessary, the goal is to ensure your wedding looks and feels perfect for you and your partner.
How Do I Know if an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue is Right for Me?
You might decide it is worth your time and money to go with an all-inclusive venue, or you may be thinking is an all-inclusive really worth it? Working with an in-house team who have done a large variety of weddings together can remove the stress of planning and budgeting for your dream wedding. Now you begin the decision-making process of which venue to choose.
At Zion Springs, we have extensive experience with over 450 weddings and are passionate about guiding couples through the wedding planning process.
We have many articles on our Answers and Advice that give you unbiased and structured support on your wedding journey.
All photos in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs' in-house photographer.
