What is an All Inclusive Wedding Venue
When it comes to planning a wedding, we’ve encountered a few couples who seem to have everything organized and know exactly what they want for their special day. But the overwhelming majority of people tell us they have absolutely NO CLUE what they are doing. They only know they want it to be magical and come to the table equipped with a few inspiration photos along with a laundry list of questions. We hear the phrase, “I’ve never done this before,” quite often!
After a couple becomes engaged, the first stop on the shopping list is almost always the wedding venue. It can be daunting to find the perfect place with so many factors to consider, from what caterers service a given venue’s region to which florist or baker you can use.
Enter the hero of the day (fanfare and drumroll, please): The all-inclusive wedding destination!
By definition, the term all-inclusive means “including everything for everyone.” But what does it really mean when someone says they offer an “all-inclusive” wedding package? You might be surprised to learn that means something a little different for each venue that touts the term. There appears to be a spectrum of what is considered an all-inclusive package in the wedding world.
Let’s break that down a bit.
All-inclusive wedding venue:
Many venues advertise that they have packages which include everything someone needs to execute a wedding. However, just because a venue is all-inclusive, doesn’t mean their package is right for you. What is included at each venue and in each package varies. Some have a more limited offering of only tables and chairs, on-site catering, and a day-of coordinator. Others contain literally everything: full access to a wedding planner, tables and chairs, catering, bar service, DJ, lighting, day-of coordinator, officiant, on-site accommodations, and they throw in the kitchen sink for good measure.
When you consider one of these venues, it is important to note that the overall quote may seem higher than piecemealing your own event components at a basic venue. But when you measure the value of NOT having to pull everything together all by yourself, as well as the assurance of having professionals who know what they are doing and work together regularly, the benefits far outweigh the cost. This is especially true for most modern couples who are busy with finishing school, building a career, or raising children (perhaps all of the above!). Most people who search for an all-inclusive destination are in a busy mode of life and want a stress free process with the simplest planning experience possible.
It is important to compare apples to apples. Whenever feasible, visit the venue in person and get a detailed breakdown of what is included so that you can be informed about what you might have to outsource. We recommend visiting multiple venues to get a feel for the space and to know what is included.
All-inclusive wedding package vs. a la carte wedding package:
If you hear the term a la carte, it pertains to being able or needing to gather all the pieces required for planning an event. For example, a wedding venue might offer tables and chairs, but you would need to bring in linens. Or, there is an on-site prep kitchen, but no full-time chef meaning catering would have to be delivered. They might offer some help with planning, but you’d need to bring in your own coordinator for the day of the wedding. All of these things are going to add weight to your planning load. If you are someone who LOVES pulling things together and creating, and you feel you have a team of family and friends willing to help pull off your plans on the day-of, this might be your preferred route. Kudos to the people who are in their element when they are DIY-ing. If that is not you, an inclusive approach is highly recommended.
Questions to ask yourself before touring venues:
What is my budget? Of utmost importance is knowing what your bottom line needs to be. When asking for information from all-inclusive venues, you will get a base package price likely with the option for add-ons. It’s helpful to know an average of things like bridal bouquets and DJ’s so that you aren’t waylaid by the total cost estimate from an all-inclusive venue.
What are my most important and non-negotiable wedding items? You’ll need to compare your wants/needs to what the venue includes in their package. If you are absolutely sure you want a photo booth, make sure to throw that into your overall budget. If you know you like lavish florals, put that on the list too. If you love to dance the night away, consider adding an extra lighting package. Are you a foodie? Plan for the extra hors d’oeuvres. Are on-site accommodations a must so all your favorite people can spend the weekend together? These things can add up, so include them from the start if they are important to you.
How hard do I want to hustle to plan my wedding? If the answer is: “I’m already hustling and don’t have time…” you probably need to go the all-inclusive route.
At Ramble Creek, we offer a combination of the aforementioned wedding packages. While a lot of Tennessee couples do get married here, we are also a destination wedding venue, with couples coming to us from all over the United States. What has made the East Tennessee wedding destination accessible for people is the option to do quite literally everything in-house with us. We start with a base package price that includes a slew of planning helps and rental items available to every couple (https://www.ramblecreekevents.com/services). Then, we supply every other aspect of weddings according to the needs of our couples. Just because we are a one-stop-shop does not mean we are a one-size-fits-all kind of place. Your wedding vision and needs are completely your own. It gives all of us sincere satisfaction to curate each couple’s wedding according to those specifications. If you are looking for an all-inclusive wedding venue in the Knoxville and Chattanooga region, then schedule a tour at Ramble Creek! https://www.ramblecreekevents.com/contact