All inclusive venue or pick and choose vendors?

Just jumping in to say welcome to the WeddingWire community @Michelle!

Hi Michelle! Welcome! In regards to your question, I guess it would depend on what area you live in and what type of venue you are wanting to have your wedding at. I personally found it a lot cheaper and way more convienent just to go with an all inclusive venue, especially since it will be a mini-destination wedding. I would just start checking out different websites, a good place to start would be the vendor section here on WW and start thinking about what type of wedding you want (outdoors, indoors, traditional and formal, casual, etc)

I chose to go with a venue that would allow me to bring in all my own vendors. I felt that it would allow me to really personalize everything and there were certain things I wanted that I wasn't sure I could get in an all inclusive venue. Plus I really loved the outdoor site we found. But I will say that it has been a lot more work with shopping around for vendors and coordinating everything and it probably hasn't saved me much money since we had to pay for all the rentals.

It depends on many factors. Sometimes choosing your own vendors is cheaper. Other times, all inclusive is much cheaper.

I'd generalize that all0inclusive is usually less expensive. That often comes down to the fact that you can get lots of free upgrades on things like linens or extended time to set-up.

If you ask me, it's certainly less stressful to use an all inclusive venue instead of coordinating everything and everyone!

I was a very "hands-off" bide. I knew what I wanted, sent the resort photos prior to arriving, and LOVED everything they came up with. We were on a budget too... we used www.destinationweddings.com to handle all travel arrangements (because I am not a very good travel agent;-) and they took care of all 65 of our guests.

Everyone enjoyed the all inclusive. I wouldn't have done it any other way!

I was worried that I wouldnt have enough say in an inclusive package, but I ended up discussing it with the sales and event team at my venue, and we are getting the cake, dj and bartender fee along with the menu and site rental fees for what I would pay for menu alone at most places. most vendors discount services when booked through the venue. its only 1 bill to think about too. and the baker still has options for us, so it's not like we are stuck with 1 generic look/flavor. discuss the options with the people at the venues you're looking at, for me it was def more convenient/affordable to do the inclusive package.

Aretina is right depends on your area. For me its cheaper to find my vendors. Most inclusive places here had minimum food order and we are having a small wedding. Came out to like 30 a plate for a child's plate. IN finding my own vendors I saved some costs related to achohol, my venue has required security at any event with alcohol which since we are not serving its waved for us.

Welcome to WW!

Not all all inclusive wedding venues are created equal. Again, it depends on what kind of wedding you want and what you want to spend. I will compare two. The first is: Anthony and Cleopatras in NJ http://www.antonyandcleopatracaterers.com/ When I looked at this place for my daughter's wedding, it made me scratch and twitch. See the first picture.

We decided on the Mendenhall Inn because she needed a venue that had overnight accomodations but wasn't a hotel banquet room with low ceilings. You can see the difference between the two. Some may like the first one and some prefer the other. The Mendenhall costs $140 per head for a sit down meal. However it covers darn near everything. My daughter preferred it this way. All we have to do is add some personal touches.

If you go with separate vendors, I do believe you would need to hire a DOC to coordinate them on the day of. It would add to the overall price of your wedding.

Good luck and happy wed plan

Im doing seperate vendors and I'm pretty positive all inclusive would've been cheaper , easier. But I wanted full control and I got it lol. It's a lot more work.

Personally, since I am a worry-wart, I did all-inclusive (in the sense of a hotel with catering)... however, that interferes with your non-prom notion ;-) As it relates to budget and venue - I recommend searching your area for local community centers. It seemed they were cheaper in my research than the usual-go-to reception spots. However, in my analysis - the hotel was about the same price if not cheaper than what I call the 'independent' venues (meaning, no catering, setup, etc) Hope that helps!

Oh! And there is a LOT of variety on price. Some include "this" others include "that", so try your best to compare apples to apples once you have narrowed some down

A lot depends on how much of what is included you actually want. We kept our costs very low with the pick-and-choose approach. However, we used a totally nontraditional reception venue (a private club that was a converted warehouse), hired a friend to do the food, did all the decorations ourselves, etc. We didn't have a DOC, but we did put a lot of our own time and effort into organizing things.

I went with pick and choose just because i was not satisfied with just what venues all inclusive would give me. i am very specific

All inclusive vendors can be hit or miss. In some places, the vendors are picked because of their professionalism, reliability, and just plain awesomeness. In other places, it's pay to play...whichever vendor is willing to pay the most commission to the venue will be their "preferred" vendor. So...you can come out a winner with some great vendors, or you can have some not so great vendors because they're preferred due to the fact they're willing to pay to get the work. And, of course, be careful, because you may only be seeing the "best" of their photos or the "best" of their cakes.

The old adage "you get what you pay for" can sometimes ring very true in an awful way at an all-inclusive. I had one bride show me the photographs from the "all inclusive" she was considering. My 12 year old could've done better with a $200 camera.

Hi Michelle! Welcome! FH and I went back and forth for a long time over which one we were going to choose too. My anxiety levels can get so out of control, that we decided to go with more inclusive for a little more money than to pick and choose. We thought it would be really worth it for us in the long run. We're very pleased with the decision!!

Thank you to everyone. I think we are going to look for an all inclusive venue. I am already stressing and we haven't even seen any venues yet. I will be sure to keep all your comments in mind. I have already been searching the reviews. Thanks again to all for taking the time to respond!

My venue isn't ALL inclusive, but it does include a lot, which I feel is important! They do provide catering, but I can get outside catering if I want. They are also doing our cake/cupcakes! Other vendors are preferred vendors, but I can hire my own (and I have). The venue includes DOC/planning assistance, tables, chairs, linens, plates (etc), open bar, decor, use of furniture and some equipment.. if I had to rent those items individuals, no way in heck could I afford it. I have my own DJ and photographer..
It all depends though, you really just have to compare the different venues and vendors.. lots of research

Michelle, welcome to WW!

There's no reason to stress out - you have enough time to find something you would like. Your best bet is to look at several types of venues before you make any decisions. Looking for a venue can be overwhelming, so make sure you keep good notes. Many times what may seem cheaper is not necessarily so in the long run. For example, if they let you bring your caterer, but want to charge you $$$ to rent the space, that's not always cheaper than having a venue that provides food. So arm yourself with patience and a notepad, and start looking. Good luck!

If I had a choice in my area I would have gone with the pick and choose. Unfortunately most venues require you to use their catering. It is much cheaper if you pay just for the place and choose another caterer. You can get creative as well!