Choosing Between All-Inclusive Wedding Venues and DIY Vendor Venues: What’s Right for Your Athens, GA Wedding?
When it comes to planning your dream wedding in or around Athens, Georgia, one of the first decisions you’ll face is where to tie the knot. Athens, Georgia and surrounding counties offer a variety of stunning venues, from outdoor pine tree ceremony spaces to rustic barn settings, and each one has its own unique advantages. Two of the most popular options are all-inclusive wedding venues and DIY venues that allow you to choose your own vendors. As a rustic, barn-style wedding venue here at SpringHaus Farm, we get asked about these two types of venues all the time. So, let’s take a deeper dive into the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one is the best fit for your big day.
Choosing Between All-Inclusive Wedding Venues and DIY Vendor Venues: What’s Right for Your Athens, GA Wedding?
All-Inclusive Venues: A Stress-Free, One-Stop Shop
An all-inclusive venue is just what it sounds like: a venue that provides everything you need for your wedding. From catering and floral arrangements to décor, photography, and even the cake, everything is handled for you under one roof. For couples who don’t want to juggle multiple vendors or risk forgetting any important details, this can be a huge relief, however it will cost you.
Pros of All-Inclusive Venues:
Convenience and Less Stress: Planning a wedding involves a lot of moving pieces. With an all-inclusive venue, many of those pieces are already in place. You won’t have to spend time vetting vendors, negotiating contracts, or coordinating logistics with a long list of vendors. The venue takes care of it all, leaving you free to focus on enjoying the process.
Expert Guidance: With all-inclusive venues, you’re often working with a big team that has some experience in the wedding industry. They know what works, what doesn’t, and how to bring your vision to life. You’ll have access to a curated selection of vendors they trust who are familiar with the venue and know how to execute your plans flawlessly.
Set Budget: One of the biggest advantages of all-inclusive venues is that they often offer packages with set pricing. This can make budgeting much easier since you won’t be dealing with fluctuating costs for each vendor. With fewer surprises, you’ll know exactly where your money is going.
Cons of All-Inclusive Venues:
Less Flexibility: While the convenience of an all-inclusive venue is undeniable, it may not leave much room for customization. If you have a specific vendor in mind or want a very unique look or style, you may feel limited by the choices available to you through the venue’s list of approved vendors.
Potentially Higher Costs: Depending on the venue, the all-inclusive package might come with a premium price tag. Although you’re paying for convenience, some couples may find that they can get the same services at a lower cost by booking individual vendors. Many all inclusive vendors are getting kick backs from these vendors by using them in their preferred list, so you may actually get that specific vendor for a better price if you used them at a different venue.
DIY Venues: The Freedom to Create Your Dream Wedding
On the other hand, some couples prefer the DIY approach, where they are responsible for hiring and coordinating each of their own vendors. DIY wedding venues often provide the space and basic facilities (tables, chairs, some decor etc.), but you’re in charge of everything else. At SpringHaus Farm, we offer just this kind of flexibility, allowing couples to customize their day in a way that suits their personal style.
Pros of DIY Venues:
Maximum Flexibility and Customization: One of the biggest draws of a DIY venue is the ability to choose every single detail, from your caterer to your florist to your photographer. You can pick the best vendors that align with your budget and vision, or even work with friends and family to create something truly unique.
Cost Control: With a DIY venue, you have more control over the budget. You can decide where to splurge and where to save, picking vendors that fit your financial plan. For example, you might opt for a friend who’s a talented photographer or take a DIY approach to decorations to save money. It allows you to see the worth in paying more for a photographer vs less on favors.
Personal Touches: For couples who want to bring their creative vision to life, a DIY venue offers unlimited potential. From handmade favors to custom centerpieces, this is your chance to make your wedding feel like a true reflection of you and your partner. The freedom to get creative can lead to an unforgettable day.
Favor table at SpringHaus Farm
Cons of DIY Venues:
More Work and Time Commitment: Planning a DIY wedding requires a lot of time and effort. Not only will you need to research and book your own vendors, but you’ll also have to handle the coordination of everything leading up to the big day. If you’re not prepared to juggle multiple vendors, this can become overwhelming quickly.
Increased Risk of Something Going Wrong: Since you’re handling all the details, you’ll need to manage the logistics on your own. There’s always a risk of a vendor falling through or not being on the same page as you, which can lead to hiccups on the big day. However, working with a venue like SpringHaus Farm means you’ll have a team there to help with the execution, so you can focus on celebrating. We have day of coordinators that are included in our pricing that allows you to have someone who will guide you through the process so you are never alone.
Complex Logistics: With a DIY wedding, you’ll need to handle the timing and coordination of each vendor to make sure everything runs smoothly. From when the caterer arrives to the photographer’s timing for group shots, you’ll have to take charge of the schedule and make sure every element flows seamlessly. If you’re the type of couple who wants to be hands-off and relaxed, this might not be the best option. One thing we offer at SpringHaus Farm is a very detailed online planner that gives us the opportunity to assist you in this coordination on the day of. If we have the contact and times and say your florist doesn't show at 2, we have their contact so you don't have to worry about it.
Just enjoy your dance at SpringHaus Farm
Which One is Right for You?
At SpringHaus Farm, we’re all about offering a venue that gives you the freedom to create your dream wedding, but also providing support where you need it. We are a DIY venue but are also offering you our opinions on some great vendors we love who we have worked along side and know they won't up-charge and we don't get a kickback from any of our vendors giving YOU the best price.
So, what’s the best choice for your wedding? If you’re a couple who loves the idea of everything being taken care of for you and you have enough money to make that happen, an all-inclusive venue might be the right path. But if you’ve always dreamed of hand-selecting each detail and putting a personal stamp on your day, a DIY venue like SpringHaus Farm might be your perfect match.
Whichever route you choose, remember that your wedding day is about celebrating your love in a way that feels true to you. We’re here to help you make that happen!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more about how SpringHaus Farm can make your wedding day unforgettable! We’d love to be part of your big day.
SpringHaus Farm is a locally owned and operated business. We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about the value and importance of choosing a locally owned business when it’s time to book your wedding venue & vendors. With locally owned venues you will often see a higher level of hospitality, better communication and a greater desire to truly ensure your wedding exceeds expectations. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout out in our blog. you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
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