Think all-inclusive means cookie-cutter? What if it didn’t have to be?
Can you have a personalized celebration and an easy planning experience?
Couples often run into challenges with all-inclusive wedding venues—like limited customization, strict vendor lists, or unexpected fees.
But the good news? There are venues, including Zion Springs, that help you navigate these hurdles while still creating the wedding you’ve always imagined.
In this article, we’ll unpack the most common all-inclusive pain points—and show how to plan a celebration that feels unmistakably you.
All-Inclusive Wedding Packages: What’s Included—and Why It Might Not Be Enough
All-inclusive wedding venues offer convenience by bundling services such as catering, decor, and coordination. While this simplifies the planning process, it may not suit every couple’s vision.
When evaluating an all-inclusive venue, it’s important to know what’s included. Packages can vary depending on event type and service level:
- Event Types: Packages for elopements, intimate gatherings, or large-scale weddings.
- Service Levels: Basic options cover essentials like catering and furniture, while premium packages may include upgraded decor, sound, florals, and complete event coordination.
Despite the ease, couples may find these packages limiting, particularly when personalizing decor or choosing vendors.
Planning a wedding starts with asking the right questions. Use our Wedding Venue Checklist to compare options, stay organized, and feel confident as you tour venues.
#1 – Limited Customization: When “All-Inclusive” Feels Too Generic
All-inclusive venues often streamline planning with pre-set packages, but these can limit your ability to fully customize your wedding. For instance, the decor choices, such as standard white tablecloths and gold chargers, might not suit your style.
However, some venues offer flexibility to personalize certain elements. Brooke & Sean, who married at Zion Springs, shared:
“We had an Italian dish, BBQ, and salmon, along with multiple sides. Everyone had full bellies at the end of dinner, which was exactly what we wanted!”
If you want more control over decor, catering, or the event layout, it’s worth asking the venue what personalization options they offer.
Here’s how you can make sure your wedding reflects your style, even with a pre-set package:
- Catering: Request a family recipe or signature cocktails.
- Decor: Incorporate custom signage or themed table settings.
- Layout: Explore creative seating arrangements or add lounge areas.
By discussing these options with your venue early on, you can add personal touches while still taking advantage of the convenience offered by the all-inclusive package.
Want your venue to reflect you—not just a template? See how real couples made it personal.
#2 – Vendor Restrictions at All-Inclusive Venues: What You Need to Ask
Many all-inclusive venues require you to choose from a list of preferred vendors for services like catering, photography, and music.
While this can simplify planning, it may also restrict you from working with vendors you’ve carefully researched or already selected. For example, you may have your heart set on a specific photographer whose style you love, but if they’re not on the venue’s approved list, you might have to pay an additional fee or find an alternative.
Common vendor restrictions include:
- Catering: Venues may require you to use their in-house caterer or a preferred partner, limiting menu options.
- Beverage Service: Some venues may require in-house bartending, limiting your choice of specialty drinks. Outside providers or custom alcohol selections could incur extra fees or be prohibited.
- Music and Entertainment: Venues often have preferred DJs or bands, and they may restrict the use of outside sound equipment or have strict rules about music timing.
How to work around vendor restrictions:
- Ask about flexibility: Some venues allow outside vendors for a fee.
- Negotiate within the list: Ask if preferred vendors are open to adjustments.
- Personalize the experience: Many venues, like Zion Springs, offer ways to personalize elements even within a vendor list.
| For example, Eric & Melissa, who married at Zion Springs, noted:“What we loved most was that Zion Springs was willing to customize our wedding to our exact tastes, and were very open-minded to our ideas to pull off a ceremony and party that represented both of our cultures.” |
Locked into a vendor list? Here’s how to still create the team—and experience—you want.
#3 – All-Inclusive Wedding Hidden Fees: 5 Costs You May Not Expect
While all-inclusive venues help streamline budgeting by bundling services, unexpected costs can still arise. Some venues claim to be all-inclusive but may not include everything you expect, like engagement shoots, rehearsal dinners, or wedding planners.
At Zion Springs, we pride ourselves on being truly all-inclusive. Everything from your engagement shoot to your wedding celebration—including a dedicated planner—is covered in one package with just one invoice.
Common hidden fees to look out for:
- Service charges and gratuities: Some venues charge extra for catering and bar staff gratuities, which may not be included in your package price.
- Overtime fees: If your event runs past the scheduled time, you could be charged additional fees for venue usage or staff overtime.
- Menu or drink upgrades: The standard catering package might not include premium menu options or specialty drinks, which could result in added costs.
- Transportation fees: Shuttle services or valet parking may be extra, so clarify what’s included.
- Vendor fees: Payments for certain vendors may not be covered under the package and could be billed separately.
How to avoid hidden fees:
- Ask detailed questions upfront
- Request a complete fee breakdown
- Negotiate for flexibility within your budget
By being proactive and discussing these details early, you’ll better understand the costs involved and can plan your wedding without financial surprises.
Though hidden fees are a concern, being upfront and transparent with your venue can mitigate most surprises. Couples who have communicated openly with their venue have avoided these issues.
| Laura & Colin shared how their experience at Zion Springs addressed their concerns: “I would never have thought we’d go with a barn wedding. However, Zion Springs has such an incredibly modern feel. Additionally, all of the technology implemented into the wedding completely blew us away. The light show, the phenomenal audio and video, the bubbles… This venue fit us perfectly. And, I have seen imagery of others having weddings at ZS that had a different vibe, based on the ability to customize so many components.” |
All-inclusive venues take the stress out of wedding planning—at least, that’s the idea. But some couples worry about vendor limits, extra costs, or a one-size-fits-all feel.
Here’s the truth: not all venues are the same. In this video, we’re breaking down the common concerns and showing how Zion Springs does all-inclusive differently.
Budget smarter, not harder: Here’s where to spend and where to scale back for the biggest impact.
What’s Next for Your Wedding Planning?
At the end of the day, we’ve all heard how convenient all-inclusive wedding venues can be—but they also come with some real limitations.
Whether it’s lack of flexibility, strict vendor lists, or surprise charges, you deserve to know what to expect.
Now that you’ve seen the top three challenges couples face—and how venues like Zion Springs help address them—you’re equipped to ask better questions and take more control of your big day.
Your next step: Explore our Answers & Advice page to continue building your wedding vision with confidence.
Want a wedding that feels like you—without the planning stress? Book a tour of Zion Springs and discover how we do all-inclusive, differently.
