All-Inclusive Packages or DIY??

We chose an all-inclusive based solely on the fact that they include set/clean up in the fee.

ETA: They provide a list of vendors that they work with and you choose from the list. It made it that much easier for us.

I did all inclusive also. a big part of it is like kitandkaboodle said, they set up and clean up for you. but also, I didn't want to worry about serving dishes and plates and cups and tablecloths, etc. one thing I did want that they didn't provide was upgraded chairs and since I went through my venue, they had a discounted rate for them. they also provided a list of vendors. its just easier. originally I wanted to get married in the woods at this venue that provides like 12 guest cabins and a huge gazebo, but that's all they included. I would have had to plan EVERY tiny detail, so that plan went out the window.

Yeah! My FH is from the country and I'm from Jersey and I've narrowed down some venues that I like in the Shenandoah Valley that have everything included, including the meal from them (and bar), but then I've found some

Gorgeous Manors that Id love to rent for the weekend, and even though they provide a list of vendors they work with, I'm not sure I want all that extra work. It's enough with my family coming down from Jersey..

I'm going DIY. for me I'm crafty and opinionated so I wanted to be able to pick what I want and DIY what I want and use whatever vendors I want. It's very dependant on your personality

First set a budget and guest list. If you don't want any extra work the day hire a planner, Month of Coordinator or Day of if it's in your budget. Sometime an all inlcusive venue is easier, but not all the time. Sometimes just renting a venue and bringing in your own stuff can get more pricer than an all inclusive. Just do your research and tour venues. The first thing I did was hire a planner because I had no idea what the heck I was doing and how much things cost. I had massive sticker shock and a lot changed I first started planning.

Good luck! and welcome! Oh and congrats too!~

We did all inclusive and it was honestly so stress free. I did have to bring in my DJ, photog and officiant and I was able to bring in my own decor if I wanted (we didn't; it wasn't necessary with this venue). We didn't have to rent linens, chairs, worry abou dishes, they even ordered the flowers for the gazebo and inside decor, they set it all up and took it all down. They had bar and they did the food. It included a DOC who I was in contact with the entire planning process.

I didn't have to worry about anything but getting myself ready!

If you can find an all-inclusive that has good reviews and fits into your budget I would suggest going that route. It's what I personally did for my own wedding but just from seeing hundreds of brides stressed over diy'ing and under budgeting when they tried to do it themselves I would suggest going with the option that gives you the least amount of stress.

I think it depends on your location, but in New England most all-inclusive (bar, food, ceremony/reception, DOC, linens, chairs, etc.) places tend to be a better deal and involve less stress. This isn't to say you can't find a venue, caterer, DOC etc. that fit into your budget, for me it was just a lot more difficult and stressful.

Side note: I wouldn't lock your hopes into a specific date just yet. It's good to know if you want a Saturday in the summer, etc. But May/June/July/August/Sept Saturdays are most bride's #1 choice and therefore are often booked very far ahead of time. I went to visit my venue and they had July 9th, 16th, and 30th available (all may and june saturdays were already taken). I emailed them back 2 days later and all they had left was the 30th. Granted, my venue only does 1 event a day and seems to be a top choice for couples in my area. This may be a New England thing, but i wouldn't be surprised if this happened at many venues.

good luck!

ETA: Many inclusive venues come with a coordinator/planner which is one of the aspects that can make them much easier to work with!

This is just a suggestion based on what I do so keep that in mind. Why not hire a planner and find a venue that will allow you to customize according to your taste. Some venues have set looks or themes that you have to fit into. As a planner one of the things that I do is find the perfect venue that fits my couple and then we go in there and make it amazing for them. Then again my company is pretty all inclusive as I also have every service from photography to a dedicated fashion designer who can make customized wedding dresses. It really all depends on your budget and what you are looking to do. My job as a planner is to make the time from engagement to wedding day stress free. If you are going to go with an all inclusive make sure you find one that will do that for you as well. If you are going to diy and have vendors come in make sure they aren't going to stress you out

@touchofpeachesevents is right. if you're looking for a venue that you want to customize to your taste a planner should definitely be a priority. but it comes down to your budget in the end!

I looked at both routes and it would have costed me more to do the DIY wedding I wanted versus the all inclusive that I wanted. Obviously, we opted for the all inclusive because we're not trying to break the bank on a wedding. Also, not having to worry about set up and break down is a nice perk.

We are doing all inclusive for reception hall. Linens, china, food, drinks and even cake if you choose that package (we are not).

I prefer all inclusive because it's a lot simpler in terms of set-up and break-down. Even if you go all inclusive, you can bring some of your own decor items (for example, if you don't want the centerpieces the venue offers in their package, take a credit and bring your own in -- most venues are fine with that. I only know of one venue in our area that will not allow fake/silk arrangements to be used on their tables). If you are going to rent the space only, please consider hiring someone to do the setting up and breaking down. It truly is a lot of work, and it's not something you're going to want to worry about before your wedding, or worse, after it's over and you're cleaning up with the guests/family members who are willing to help.

We are doing all-inclusive...mostly. I had to hire someone for the cake separately, but they did give a discount because of the relationship with the venue. Other than that, we are using the venues DJ, they do all of the set up and clean up. We have to set up our centerpieces, but that is really it. The captain of the boat is performing the ceremony.

Ours mostly inclusive and it's made planning so easy and stress free. We have the option to personalize decor but we really won't need to. We had to bring in our own photographer, Dj, officiant and florist.

Yes PLEASE hire someone for set up and take down. I was in a wedding where the BP did all the set up and take down. We set up the hall the night before the wedding and we were taking it down at 3am the night OF the wedding. So I was standing on chairs in my BM dress and heels, taking decor down, cleaning up, etc. it was a lot of work and after a full day of wedding stuff starting at 8am, we were all so tired.

Munkos is the voice of experience. That's exactly the way it goes when nobody is being paid to break down a wedding.

Having been an off premise caterer for many years, I can tell you that renting a venue and bringing in vendors can either be more hands on than you want or almost as easy as an all inclusive; it depends on whether your caterer is accustomed to the space. No matter where you go, you're still going to have to source music, photos etc;

So you make sure your caterer is going to bring in all the furniture and tableware/linens and be responsible for setting that all up, you let your florist take care of decor, and definitely hire a planner.

It's not going to necessarily save you money, but you may come closer to getting what you really want.

Here's my experience-- I got married 16 years ago at a place that did almost everything-- I didn't even have to provide chairs or linens-- just centerpieces (which I skipped). SO EASY! No one had to worry. We just showed up at the right time, day of, and had a wedding and reception-- lovely! My younger brother just got married, and a lot of stuff was DIY, except he and his bride weren't doing it, of course-- it was their wedding, they were busy. So I, my step mother, older brother, younger brother, and other relatives, had to... make a byzillion pies, set up for the rehearsal dinner, etc (thank goodness it was catered!), and I have to say, I did NOT appreciate being a laborer instead of just a guest. If *you* will do it, then DIY, if it will fall to your guests (which is likely) hire it out and pay a professional to do it. It is politer to your guests and less stress for you to know it's being handled professionally.

We have an all inclusive venue it includes catering, open bar, linens, cake and the DJ...they also provide centerpieces but we are not using the centerpieces.