Venue Questions

cinxic

So i know this can go to the local board as well but i just had a question...If most places supply food doesn't that usually make the venue a little pricer. Like a hotel wedding for example or a reception hall? I get so confused as to what is good priced and what is way to pricey or is supplying your own caterer cheaper? I have found one venue i love that i can supply my own food and drinks. But i love hotel weddings as well. What is the more benefit package i guess i will ask.  More than likely gonna be on a tight budget but we are working on things since he will be away at Texas this year for school. Any suggestions?

RailWayWife

I would honestly go right to your local board with this one. I have no idea how much things cost in your area.

I personally went with a venue that provides the meal and bar for the wedding. It's just one less thing for my FI or I to have to worry about.

sparkellyy

When we were searching for a venue, we added up the costs of having everything by one venue (Country Club) and then renting a space (a local Casino Ballroom) and hiring a caterer.

Although the rental fees was cheaper at the ballroom, after adding in the food and rentals it ended up costing more than the Country Club with an all inclusive package.

Of course this was in my area, and with my selections of food.

Just remember if there are any rentals (linen, chairs, tables, glasses, china, silverware, etc) they certainly all can add up very quickly!

Good luck!!

emeejeeayen

I found the non-inclusive packages to end up being more in the long run. I think the halls and hotels are able to subsidize their rates a bit because they do it so often, have the same vendors each time, etc, etc.

blueobsidian

It's really going to vary from place to place.  I feel that a lot of inclusive packages do tend to be cheaper (especially if it includes all the tables/linens/dinnerware/etc that you need).  While you may find a cheaper caterer than the hotel's pricing, you need to compare what it includes and does not. 

Why not get an estimate from a hotel or two that you like and compare to the other venue/caterer/rentals that you like?

Check the websites of some hotels you like and see if they have wedding package information online.  You may be able to get some quick ideas of pricing from the brochures they have.  Several of the hotels I've looked at have pricing information on their ballrooms and different catering menus online, so it's quick to compare.

Xstatic3333

I agree about asking in your local board, but one piece of advice is to pay attention to service fees. For example, at my venue the "all inclusive" package includes all service fees. The "a la carte" options seem much cheaper, until you realize they will all have 18 tagged onto them. I'd imagine sorting all this out gets trickier the more vendors are involved. Good luck with your planning!

cinxic

Thank you guys for the help and able to answer the questions. Just saw a lot of people book venues and was curious. I will take this to the local board.