Understanding the Cost of a Wedding Venue
Having a wedding isn’t as simple as saying “I do”. There are a lot of moving parts and costs associated. Many couples who are newly engaged need to know how much each part of a wedding costs and why. For most people, this is their first time getting married and they need to be educated.
The average cost of a wedding in Janesville-Beloit Wisconsin according to the Wedding Report’s 2019 study is $26,077. If that seems daunting, remember that a professional wedding is made possible by several professionals that will be charging professional wedding prices, because it is one of the most important days of your life!
One of the first decisions you make when planning your wedding is choosing your wedding venue. You will likely spend a large portion of your budget on your wedding venue cost, so it is important to do your research! The average wedding venue cost according to WeddingWire is $6,000 with most couples spending between $3,000-$11,000. Note that these are averages and depend on many factors. For example, the location of your wedding will impact your costs. Getting married in a bigger city tends to cost more than weddings in more rural areas. Your wedding date will impact the cost. If you get married on a Saturday night during peak season you will pay a premium price versus a weekday wedding or a wedding during the off-season. Size is also a factor, the more people you invite, the more money you will spend. What is included in your venue fee will also have a large impact. Some venues you will have to hire an outside caterer, a rental company for tables and chairs, and all other vendors. Please note that Glen Erin Golf Club is an all-inclusive venue which means that your rental fee includes all day access to the venue (10am-12:30am), all tables, all chairs, floor length linens (white, ivory, or black), napkins, silverware, dishware, glassware, set up, tear down, 1 hour rehearsal ceremony, cake cutting, PLUS a wedding coordinator to help you once you book through the day of your wedding! We also have a culinary team on staff so all food and beverage is provided by us. We are truly a one stop shop! You have an entire team working to make your day as stress free as possible.
Keep in mind the location of your ceremony and if you want it at the same location as your reception. There is a cost associated with having a ceremony as well, whether in a church, at a local park, or at your venue. The average ceremony cost according to Weddingwire is $600.00.
What are some additional venue costs to consider?
Parking – be sure to check to see if you have to pay for valet or other parking fees for your guests. At Glen Erin Golf Club, all parking is free!
Taxes and fees – Cake cutting fees, corkage fees, service charges and more. Always ask the venue if there are any additional fees and taxes! Be sure to read all contracts carefully and fully understand what you are paying for before signing the dotted line.
Tips – be sure to ask if tips are included (also known as gratuities or service charges), if not you will need to be sure to tip the wait staff, bartenders, restroom attendants if any, and coatroom attendants if there are any.
Outside vendor fee – Many venues have vendor lists – a list of vendors they trust. If you choose someone that is not on the list you may need to pay an outside vendor fee. Please note that at Glen Erin Golf Club, there are no outside vendor fees. We do have a list of vendors that we trust and know will do a great job, but it is up to the client whether they choose to use them or not.
I hope that this article has helped you better understand the cost of a wedding venue! Getting married is an important day in your life that you will remember forever. Our staff at Glen Erin Golf Club believe it is important to make memories that last a lifetime!