How to Choose the Right Wedding Package

The right wedding package will help ensure your special day runs smoothly and is a highly memorable experience for you, your future spouse and your guests. Below, explore everything you need to know about choosing a wedding package.

Wedding Venues: Starting Your Search

Before choosing a venue or package, couples should consider the importance of picking a location for their wedding. The venue sets the tone for your wedding day, determines how many guests you can invite and is likely to be a central part of your photography, so it should be a well-researched and thought-out decision.

To find the perfect venue, it can be helpful to consider your ideal wedding style and size. A general idea of how you want to decorate and how many people you'll invite will make researching venues in your desired area easier.

You and your partner can search specialized phrases online, such as “large bohemian wedding venues in Delaware” or “elegant wedding venues in Millsboro, DE,” to narrow your list. Online resources like wedding blogs and magazines are helpful for finding venues in your desired area because they have easy-to-use filters that streamline your search. Our guide to choosing a wedding venue can also help you determine the right location for your special day.

What to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue

Before landing on the perfect wedding venue, be sure to thoroughly explore the following factors as a couple:

  • Location and accessibility: Location is a huge factor to consider. The city you want to get married in will determine what's available to you. As you explore venues in your desired region, think of your guest list and any accessibility considerations you'll need to keep in mind.

  • Capacity and size: Once you know where you'd like to tie the knot, it's time to decide how many people you'll invite and the capacity you'll need to accommodate them.

  • Style and theme: With location and size in mind, you can narrow down your search depending on the design style and type of venue you're going for.

Wedding Venue Quiz: Identifying Your Priorities

If you don't know where to begin searching for the perfect wedding venue, a fun quiz can help you sort out your priorities. You can find wedding venue quizzes from websites like The Knot and BuzzFeed that will help you determine what type of location is right for your preferences.

These quizzes typically cover topics like the time of year you'd like to get married and the decor styles you like best. You and your partner can use the results to guide your venue search.

Wedding Venue Package Ideas: Thinking Outside the Box

Once you understand what features are most important to you as a couple, you can compare the packages available from different locations. Unique and non-traditional wedding venue ideas include:

  • Rooftops

  • Breweries

  • Warehouses

  • Flower fields

Some of these venues will have creative wedding packages, typically highlighting a major feature of the venue. For example, if you have your nuptials at a brewery, their wedding day packages may focus on beverage options. A downside of choosing unconventional venues is they may have limited options available for complete wedding packages.

What Do Most Wedding Packages Include?

Couples tying the knot can book their vendors independently or with the help of a wedding planner. Then, they are responsible for coordinating with every business for the big day. Alternatively, they can simplify things and choose from the available wedding packages to streamline some of the planning.

You can pick a full wedding package, which can include the venue and:

  • Florals.

  • Catering and drinks.

  • Decorations.

  • Tables and chairs.

  • Linens.

  • Photography and videography.

  • Rentals.

All-inclusive packages can save couples a lot of time on planning, coordinating and designing. Customizable packages offer more flexibility. Partners can often pick and choose which elements and vendors they want as part of their wedding.

Determining Your Wedding Budget

According to a recent study, the average cost of a wedding in the United States was $29,000 in 2022. Keeping this number in mind can be helpful when planning your special day. The best budget will depend on your unique financial situation.

There are various ways to create a realistic wedding budget for you and your partner. For example, digital wedding budget calculators can help you narrow your spending limits. You can also work with a wedding planner or coordinator to help set your budget.

Your budget will play a massive role in selecting the right wedding package. Keep in mind venue and catering typically make up 40% of an overall wedding budget. A wedding package will likely be one of the largest percentages of spending for the entire event.

Is It Better to Get a Wedding Package?

If you and your partner considering getting a wedding package, weighing the pros and cons of each option can be helpful.

The pros of having a wedding package include:

  • Spending less time and energy coordinating with multiple vendors.

  • Having an easier time budgeting and monitoring spending.

  • Enjoying more of the actual wedding day.

Some of the cons of choosing a wedding package include:

  • Having fewer options than if you chose vendors individually.

  • Being unable to exchange services based on your preferences.

Ultimately, a wedding package is the ideal choice for couples who do not have a lot of time to spare. Custom vendor arrangements are more suitable for couples who want total control over every detail of their wedding.

How to Choose a Wedding Caterer

Catering is a huge deciding factor when choosing a wedding package. You want your guests to love the food served at your reception, so it is essential to do your due diligence and find the right option.

If you are interested in a wedding package with a caterer, do some research. Look up reviews from other couples and ask about doing a taste test to finalize your wedding day menu.

You and your partner can save considerable time and money by working with your venue's preferred caterer. They are typically well-versed in serving food at your specific wedding destination, and you can feel good knowing the venue vets them.

Explore Wedding Day Packages From Baywood Weddings Today

Choosing the right venue package can help make your wedding day vision a dream come true. You can use the checklist from our guide to choosing a wedding venue to determine if a location is right for you.

We offer various full-service and all-inclusive options at Baywood Weddings, located in beautiful southern Delaware, just miles from Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. You and your soon-to-be spouse can work with our in-house event planning team to prepare the most memorable and meaningful wedding experience possible.

Explore the diverse wedding day packages available from Baywood Weddings, or contact us to learn more about what our venue offers today.

Amanda Murphy