All-Inclusive vs. DIY Wedding Venues: Understand Their Value and Which Is Best For You
If you’ve recently begun planning your wedding (Congrats, btw!) and looking for venue options in Upstate New York, or the Hudson Valley, then you’re probably asking yourself some of these questions:
Why do venues cost this much?
Why are there so many levels of pricing for different venues?
Should I just have a backyard wedding?
How do I figure out the best value for the cost?
We know it can be a lot of information and definitely overwhelming. That’s why we are going to help you understand different types of venues, types of pricing, and how to find the best bang for your buck!
This couple had not one, but TWO ceremonies here at the Preston Barn. PHOTO: Melanie Ruth
As a Hudson Valley venue, we have met all kinds of couples with all kinds of budgets and expectations. Our barn and historic inn located in Dover Plains, NY is mainly considered an all-inclusive venue because we include just about everything you NEED to host a wedding day (meaning you don’t have to rent anything unless you want something specific or extra), although we do have some of the perks that a DIY venue have such as having the property to yourself for the entire weekend, and the ability to customize and use multiple spaces.
With all that said, let’s start with explaining All-Inclusive vs. DIY Wedding Venues!
An all-inclusive venue usually includes the site for a particular period of time (from 5 hours to multiple days), catering, drinks/bar, tables and chairs, linens, and all tableware. Some may charge a site fee with catering being additional and some have one all-inclusive per-person price. This is usually the better option for tighter budgets.
A DIY venue is usually when there is a single site fee for the use of the property for a particular period of time and you bring in your own chosen caterer and rentals. Some of them will include some furnishings, housing, and extra options. This requires a larger budget because rentals add up and you definitely need to have a FULL wedding planner to help manage all of the rentals and logistics (we always recommend planners but for this, you need top-of-line wedding management)!
Guests enjoying cocktail hour on the stone patio and tented area at The Preston Barn. PHOTO: Melanie Ruth
Based on this info, here are some Frequently Asked Questions…
What about backyard weddings?
Consider this a DIY venue without the site fee. To the surprise of many, it actually can cost more to have a backyard wedding as you have to rent EVERYTHING and logistics can be very difficult for parking, bathrooms, rain plan, garbage, tent placement for dinner, and tent for catering, etc.
Why would anyone choose a DIY venue?
For the ability to completely customize their wedding day or weekend. If you want to choose your wedding look from lighting to tent style to the type of glassware and chairs used, then a DIY venue is for you if you have the budget. Sometimes it’s the location or it goes with their vibe, like they have their hearts set on a winery or spectacular mountain or water views.
Here at the Preston Barn, we include all of these things and we have luxury items such as our large handmade farm tables, wooden cross-back chairs with cushions, high-quality tableware, and linen is included that can match any decor, so our couples don’t usually rent much but we have seen colorful goblets and charger plates added in for a bit of a custom look. Some venues won’t allow that, such as “wedding factory” types that host multiple weddings a day or week.
This Beautiful Lounge from North Country Vintage Rentals was added for a sweet a stylish touch.
Now here’s the real kicker…
How do you compare the value between the different types of venues?
If you’re looking at an all-inclusive venue, with or without a site fee, you may be wondering if the cost matches the value. You’ll need to understand the cost of rentals.
DISCLAIMER: We are not a rental company and we do not know the actual up-to-date pricing of rentals. The following is an estimate based on some info we received over two years ago. Prices have only gone up since then so this is likely the minimum. Also, we love rental companies and always welcome the beautiful additions they offer to our venue and our couples, and the magic they create at DIY venuesas well! This is not to put down the idea of rentals by any means but to educate our newly engaged community about their options.
Let’s use a wedding for 100 guests at a venue that provides just the site as an example. Here’s what the rentals alone might look like at a minimum:
What you may need:
(Cocktail Hour)
High Tops + Linens
Low Tops + Linens
Seating
Bar Table + Linen
Glasses
Ice Buckets
Large Coolers
Ice Scoops
(Ceremony)
Folding Chairs
PA System
Arbor
(Reception)
Chairs
Tables
Linens or Runners
Dinner Forks
Salad Forks
Dessert Forks
Coffee Spoons
Salad Knife
Dinner Knife
Water Glass
Champagne Glass
Napkins
Bar Glass
AP Glass
Dinner Plate
Dessert Plate
Coffee Mug
(TENTS) reception/cook tents
Pole Tent
Sides/Walls
Installation
String Lights
Cord Extension
Thermostat/Heater/Propane OR AC/Fan
Sugar Bowl
Creamer Glass
S&P shakers
(For Food Service)
Buffet Table(s)
Cloths
Chafer Dishes
Serving Pieces
Salad Bowl
Bread Display
Small bowls for sauces, butter, etc
Waiter Stands
Waiter Trays
Bar Trays
Trash Cans
Welcome/Water Table
More Linens
Bread Baskets
Glass Pitchers
Coffee Urns
Coffee Carafe
Did you know you would have to rent ALL of this?? We believe that all of this would cost AT LEAST $20,000 for 100 people. The cost only goes up as you add more guests. For a backyard wedding, add the need for a bathroom trailer as well.
At the Preston Barn, there is no need to rent anything. All of the above items are included. We don’t charge extra for ceremony chairs or additional tables needed for the welcome station or any other special table. We have plenty! Contact us for all of our pricing and packages, and you’ll see how the value compares.
Another “cost” to consider is the cost of your TIME. With an all-inclusive venue, there is much less planning involved and most of the setup and cleanup is done for you. With a DIY venue, if you don’t use a planner (or a good and experienced caterer), you and your friends/family will be doing a lot of work on the wedding day and that just is not realistic if you want to also fully enjoy your day. Even with an all-inclusive venue, we always recommend at least working with a “day-of” wedding planner. Learn more about using wedding planners here: Wedding Planners Vs. Coordinators: Your Guide To The Differences And Which One You Need
Are you starting to see and understand the difference? Which type of venue is for YOU?
If you are looking for a completely customized wedding, then a DIY venue might be more your style. If you want the whole package, go for all-inclusive. If you want something somewhere in-between, then THE PRESTON BARN is your venue! Check out everything we include and more info on our website! You can also Contact Us for our pricing and packages, and book a private tour!