DIY Weddings
So, you have seen it all over Pinterest and everything looks so freaking cute. You know what I’m talking about; the DIY weddings phenom. While, yes, it is all extremely cute and you think it would be cheaper to do it yourself, it actually doesn’t save you that much money. Not to mention the time it takes and how exhausted you’ll be.
Today, I want to break down exactly what you would be paying if you just rented a hall and brought everything yourself. Then, I’m going to compare it to what you would be paying for an all-inclusive venue to do it for you.
DIY Costs
This will be for 100 people and on a Saturday, which is the average wedding.
- Wedding Coordinator: $1,500 (day of ONLY)
- Ceremony: $2,000
- Minister: $350
- Hall Rental: $5,000; this includes tables and the plain white chairs
- Chivari Chairs Rental: $600 at $6 a piece
- Linen Rental: $350 (includes satin table covers and satin napkins)
- Chargers: $100
- Catering: $3,500 at an average of $35/person (buffet style)
- China/Silverware/Glass Goblets: $1,200
- Open Bar: $2,000
- Security Officers: $500
- Photo: $2,500
- Video: $2,000
- Wedding Dress: $1,500
- Tux: $350
- Hair/Makeup: $350 (at the most basic place)
- Flowers: $2,000
- Non-Floral Centerpieces: $200
- Wedding favors: $300
- DJ: $1,000
- Cake: $400
- Groom’s Cake: $200
- Invitations: $500
- Bridal Party gifts: $400. Being an average of 5 bridesmaids/5 groomsmen at $40/person
Total: $28,800
FYI THIS IS FOR A REALLY BASIC PACKAGE AND ONLY 100 PEOPLE! If you were wanting to have 200 people, then just basically double almost everything. This also doesn’t include all of the time of setting things up, crafting centerpieces and all of the stress that comes along with it all. Also, most places don’t clean up for you. So, after your wedding, you will be picking up and cleaning up.
Now, the breakdown for an all-inclusive venue, like ours:
Our most popular package includes:
- Event Coordinator & day of coordinator
- Catering package
- Chivari chairs, tables and satin linens of your color choice
- Brides cake and cake service to the table
- Professional DJ
- Experienced staff to set up and clean up everything
- Service on China, silverware and stemware
- Ceremony
This totals: $13,000 for 100 people
Add to it the things we don’t include:
The total ends up being: $18,050
This is $10,000 less when you have an all-inclusive venue do everything for you. Another factor to consider is that we have been in business for over 10 years. This brings a lot of experience on how to make your big day flawless.
Also, since we are taking care of everything for you, you don’t have the stress of setting things up, or the stress that goes along with making sure all of your vendors will be there when they need to be.
So, what really is better? A DIY wedding, or an all-inclusive venue to do everything for you wedding? Seems like a pretty easy answer to me! Don’t get me wrong, DIY wedding favors or little details are totally fine and can be so much fun to do, but when everything is like that, it gets stressful.
*not everything should be DIY*
Below are the Top 5 All-Inclusive venues in the Houston area, in no particular order. Each one offers something completely unique and a style for every kind of bride. Remember, how we mentioned that experience is important? All 5 of these have been in business for many years.
Obviously, packages will vary between the 5 of us, but for the most part, we are all in the same price range.
So, the next time you, or someone you know, “says oh we can do it all ourselves, it’ll be cheaper”, refer them to this blog and show them the cost breakdown.
With all of our love,
Silver Sycamore xo