What’s the Real Cost of an All-Inclusive Wedding?

Are all-inclusive weddings really the most affordable option? The short answer is yes, but the real answer is a little more nuanced than that. When it comes to planning your perfect day, you tend to think of the big things that you want- the vibe, the dress, the people, the food. But what about the smaller things like the napkins, the chairs, the setup, the clean up? These are the minor things that, if left unaddressed, can cause the most stress for your day. So let’s talk about it. 

The “Family Discount” Comes With Strings

We know that when it comes to planning a wedding, everyone you know will have an opinion or even a recommendation of who to choose for different things. Every aunt knows “the perfect DJ”, or your friend has a connection to a caterer for a discount, but these can come with strings that don’t initially show up in the contract.

Discounts often mean compromises- not all the time, but sometimes it means fewer staff are available or less time is dedicated to your event. If a vendor is providing a discount, that means they might not be able to use their full staff, or you will only be able to choose from a limited number of options that you do not want. Or that family member might want a final say in what that vendor does, because they were involved in the process. A vendor providing a service should be fully invested in your day, not looking to cut corners to do a favor. 

Be sure to do your research and be sure to check references and reviews on any vendor you involve. 

The Math Doesn’t Always Add Up

Using a traditional or “blank” venue can seem more affordable, until you look a little closer. Blank venues only show you the base price- the cost of the room; they don’t talk about the add-ons until later. Once you start looking at those, you realize the cost of the catering, chair rental, decor, setup, clean up, day-of coordination (and plenty of other small details that simply go overlooked in the grand scheme of wedding planning), they all add up and can cost more than you were expecting.

Your time is valuable; why waste it by doing overwhelming research? Instead of researching every single vendor yourself and comparing every option, you could have been done and moved on to the more enjoyable next task on your wedding list. By the time you’ve taken a breath and added everything up, an all-inclusive venue may have actually been the better option for your wallet and your mental sanity. 

Be sure to keep all factors of cost in mind when choosing your wedding venue.

The Value of People

Another hidden cost of not using an all-inclusive venue is the lack of support staff; without these crucial people helping behind the scenes, many things will fall on you and your family to get done. Who will set up the tables, hang decorations, and arrange the chairs while you're getting ready for your ceremony? At the end of the night, when you're exhausted from dancing and eating cake, who will box up leftovers and clean up the tables? Will your family, friends, or even your wedding party be responsible for that? Don’t they also get to make memories with you?

The support staff of a venue is super important, and the more of them there are, the smoother things will run. With an all-inclusive venue, like ours at Spring Lake Winery, a professional staff knows how weddings are supposed to run and will be able to keep up with the flow of the evening. You won’t have to worry about a thing and will be able to focus on the day and memories that you’re making with your family and friends.

If you’ve got a great family army, use them; if not, be sure to look into all the details of what will need to be done to pull everything off.

The Spring Lake Winery Difference

So why choose Spring Lake Winery? Well, not only do we offer plenty of options, including three different ceremony sites and all-inclusive packages. We also bring the professionalism of being a team; we all understand the plan, the timeline, and our individual responsibilities for the day. So no constantly checking if the vendors have arrived, or if the vendor delivering the cake has gotten lost or is late. Our job is to reduce your stress and give you an unforgettable wedding day so you can concentrate on your loved ones. We work with many WNY vendors and wedding planning professionals to help create your perfect, customized experience here at Spring Lake.

For all of our all-inclusive wedding packages, we take pride in providing:

• Award-Winning Spring Lake Wines & Signature Estate Cuisine

• Full-Service Bar Featuring Spring Lake Wines

• White Linens, Glassware & Table Settings Included

• On-Site Rehearsal & Dedicated Coordination

• Capacity of 250 guests - larger parties can be accommodated.​

• Guest Lodging Available on Property

If you’re looking to create a day full of memories, look no further than Spring Lake Winery. Contact us today to schedule a tour and see why we’re listed as one of the “Best places to get married in Upstate NY” (newyorkupstate.com)!