Pros and Cons: All-Inclusive Venues vs. Pick Your Own Vendors

There are benefits to both of these options, and it really all just comes down to what your priorities are as a couple. So let’s define these two a bit, and break down the pros and cons of both!

What is an all-inclusive wedding venue?

All-inclusive wedding venues give you as the couple one price to pay for multiple vendors. Which vendors are included can vary depending on the venue you pick, but most of them include the use of the space, catering and drinks, the officiant, decor, and coordination. Some will include florals, photography, videography, and entertainment, like a DJ. These kinds of deals are very common in Las Vegas, especially with the chapels, as they want you to treat them like a one-stop shop (and give your money only to them).

The Pros:

You’ll have one bill to worry about. One contract. One point of contact that handles the majority of your vendors. Your vendors have all (most likely) worked together before and are familiar with the venue. You don’t have to do much “planning” because it’ll already be done for you.

The Cons:

The biggest downside to this is you don’t have much control over who your vendors are. If you don’t like the DJ’s style or the way the photographer approaches portraits, you don’t get much say in it. Your food options might be limited, and who knows if they’ll be able to make that special cocktail that’s sentimental to your relationship. For couples that really value the aesthetic of their wedding day, this usually isn’t the way to go, especially because this type of wedding will end up looking like a lot of other couples’ weddings. But for couples whose ultimate goal is just to be married, this is a very common pathway!

What about hiring my own vendors?

This is a much more common way to actually have a wedding, as more couples prefer to direct every aspect of their wedding.

The Pros:

You’ll know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. You’ll be able to create the wedding you’ve envisioned from top to bottom, and you’ll be able to hire the very best vendors that you can trust to create the perfect wedding day. There are fewer chances that your wedding will look like anyone else’s 

The Cons:

You’ll have more contracts to read and more overall payments to keep track of and make. You’ll be responsible for making decisions when it comes to design and overall vision of the wedding.

Ultimately this decision comes down to what you as a couple choose to prioritize when it comes to the look and feel of your wedding! But if you’re ready to hire your own vendors, smash that button below and let’s boogie at your reception!