Average Wedding Venue Cost: What You Need to Know
You and your fiancé are now happily engaged, and the engagement ring is insured. You’ve decided on a wedding date and overall wedding budget, and now you’re ready to get down to the nitty-gritty of wedding planning.
One of the first things you’ll likely do is book your wedding venue. Before sending out invitations or hiring a caterer or DJ, you have to have a place for the wedding to occur.
Wedding venues are one of the most expensive parts of a wedding. How much does the average wedding venue cost, how can you make sure you’re getting the most for your money, and how can you save money on your wedding venue?
Here’s what you need to know.
What You Will Learn
What is the Average Cost of a Wedding Venue?
According to a study from The Knot, the average wedding venue costs $12,800, including the ceremony venue and reception venue. In total, the average wedding costs approximately $35,000. This means most couples spend nearly 40% of their budget on their venue alone. That’s quite a large percentage!
Looking at a more comprehensive wedding budget breakdown, other wedding expenses and their average cost include:
- Wedding dress, $2,000
- Photographer, $2,900
- Groom attire, $330
- Catering, $85 per guest
- Cake, $540
- Hair and makeup, $290
- Florist, $2,800
- DJ services, $1,700
As you can see, the venue is by far the most expensive item you’ll purchase when planning your wedding. The photographer is your next biggest expense, at around $3,000.
What Impacts Prices for Wedding Venues? How the Average Cost of a Wedding Venue Adds Up
As mentioned, many things impact the overall venue price.
- Guest Count: How many guests are attending your wedding? To accommodate a higher guest volume, you’ll pay a higher venue cost for a larger space.
- Venue Location: Did you know that geography could influence your wedding cost? Big-city weddings typically cost more than weddings in small towns or outdoor weddings.
- Rental Fees: Your venue may charge a rental fee for using tables, chairs, linens, and similar necessities.
- Season: Some wedding venues charge higher prices during certain times of the year when demand is higher. For example, many couples opt to have their weddings in the summer, so summer is traditionally a more expensive time to host a wedding.
How to Save Money on the Cost of a Wedding Venue
If, during the wedding planning process, you find that the average cost for a wedding venue will be too much for you, there are things you can do to lower your venue wedding cost.
Beyond looking at venues that overall offer lower venue pricing for weddings, also consider the following:
Lowering Your Guest Count
You can rent a smaller space if you have a smaller guest list, making your wedding venue average cost significantly lower. Micro-weddings are in vogue at the moment anyway. You might very well find that you prefer a wedding with only 50 of your closest friends and family members versus a huge affair where you don’t even know some of the guests’ names.
Choosing a Venue in a Different Locale
If your city’s venues are typically pricey overall, consider holding a destination wedding in a more affordable location or simply getting out of town. A venue in a smaller suburb or nearby vacation spot may provide a cheaper price.
Working with a Private Rental Company
It may depend on your venue’s contract with vendors for rental necessities. Suppose you can select a private rental vendor. In that case, you are more likely to receive an affordable price going private.
Being Flexible with Your Date and Time
Can you get married in an off-month? Or maybe you can get married on a weekday rather than on the weekend.
You might even consider having a morning wedding rather than an evening wedding. This is a rather old-school way of doing things, but it has its charms; for example, you can host a post-wedding brunch instead of a pricier wedding dinner.
Only Renting One Venue
Some couples want their ceremony in one place and then reception in another. However, this can needlessly and extensively increase your wedding venue costs. Instead of doing this, have both the ceremony and the reception in one place.
Working with Your Wedding Planner to Find the Best Deals
Lastly, work with your wedding planner to find the best venue deals possible. They have valuable industry insights and connections that can help you snag an excellent venue for less than what you might pay if you were planning the wedding on your own. They can also recommend wedding packages that include more of what you need for one cost and possibly negotiate with vendors and venues to get extra discounts.
Average Cost of Wedding Venue FAQs
What is the average cost of a wedding venue?
The average couple spends $12,800 on their wedding venue and $35,000 on the entire wedding, with the venue alone accounting for about 40% of the budget.
What is the most expensive part of a wedding?
Your most expensive cost for a wedding is not the wedding dresses, flowers, or photographer; it’s the venue. The wedding venue, on average, takes about 40% of a wedding budget.
How can you save money on a wedding venue?
You can save money on a wedding venue by opting for a smaller venue, choosing a venue outside of a high-demand area, and planning your wedding for an off-season or off-day.
Who pays for the wedding venue?
It’s becoming increasingly common for the engaged couple to pay for the entire wedding, including the wedding venue.
What kind of wedding venues are the most affordable?
The more affordable wedding venues are typically smaller. Outside wedding venues are also usually more budget-friendly, as are wedding venues at religious institutions.
Whatever You Pay for Your Wedding Venue, Protect Your Investment
Many wedding venues require you to purchase wedding event insurance to protect your guests and the venue against harm and damage to a guest or the venue.
BriteCo offers affordable wedding insurance. Learn more about wedding insurance and get a quick, free quote now.
Also Check:
When to Get Wedding Insurance
Questions to Ask Wedding Venue
How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost
Ultimate Checklist for a Wedding Coordinator
Average Cost of Wedding Planner
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How Long are Weddings?
How to Choose a Wedding Venue
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