What is The Average Cost of a Wedding Venue?

The hefty price is justified because the interior is vital to your event’s atmosphere. And while summer couples can skip the venue, for winter couples, it’s essential.

Thankfully, the high average wedding venue price doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune to tie the knot.

The venue’s price depends on the location, day of the week, season, guest count, package, and other factors. There’s an option for every budget and preference, so every couple can afford a beautiful wedding.

Wedding Venue Cost By Type

The average cost of a wedding venue in the U.S. is about $13,000. However, this figure isn’t an adequate representation of how much to spend on a wedding venue because the average includes some extremely lavish celebrations.

The price may vary drastically depending on the venue’s type. For example, hosting a reception in an event center may cost anywhere from $2,085 to $23,836.

Such a difference can be explained by the guest capacity, location, add-ons, interior, and other factors included in the wedding venue package.

A wedding in a banquet hall, restaurant, or private club costs approximately the same. Unfortunately, these are the cheapest venue types. For example, couples wishing to tie the knot in a historic or landmark building can pay $4,083-$22,600.

The lowest range of brewery and museum prices lightly exceeds $4,400, but the highest is $10,260 and $14,749, respectively. Barns and farms are the most common venue choices for rustic weddings and typically cost $5,678-$12,412.

Many spring, summer, and early fall couples dream of getting married in a buoyant garden, but outdoor receptions aren’t necessarily cheap. On average, renting out a garden for a wedding costs about $7,888-$13,353.

Luxurious hotel venues and all-inclusive resorts are the priciest options of all. The prices start at $5,021 and exceed $73,000 for high-end options.

In contrast, ceremony venues cost $600 on average, but some couples host their ceremony and reception in the same place, thus saving money.

Wedding Venue Cost By Size

The size is one of the critical factors affecting wedding venue cost. You need an optimal space to accommodate all your guests without paying extra.

The problem with average values is that they’re only helpful for people with an average budget and guest count, which is above $30,000 per 160 guests for American weddings.

Your wedding venue price may be significantly lower if you only invite 30 people or skyrocket for 300 people. The wedding venue cost per person can help you estimate your expenses more precisely.

A modest wedding venue, such as an event center or a banquet hall, can cost you as little as $37 per person. Mid-range venues like golf clubs and historic buildings usually charge about $95-$104 per person.

There’s no definite maximum one may pay for a wedding venue, but luxurious resorts usually charge about $572 per guest. Therefore, renting a space in an exquisite resort for 160 guests can cost over $91,520.

In contrast, a modest venue would only charge $5,920 for the same guest count, and a mid-range venue would cost $15,200-$16,640.

A small wedding with 40 guests in a cost-effective banquet hall would cost about $1,480, a mid-range venue – about $4,000, and high-end over $22,800.

Wedding Venue Cost By Location

The wedding venue’s location also plays a role in its cost. Venue prices in the mainland U.S. don’t differ noticeably, although venues near scenic nature sites or in major cities tend to cost more than in rural areas and small towns.

On the other hand, modest venues in a popular wedding destination, Hawaii, start at $4,500 for 50 guests, and high-end options can exceed $90,000. The venue prices on other islands, including Bahamas, Bali, Tahiti, and Fiji, are about the same.

Mexico is famous for its scenic nature views, great food, warm weather, and low prices. While the average venue in the U.S. costs over $13,000, the same sum can cover an entire all-inclusive destination wedding in Mexico.

In fact, some venues are priced as low as $1,400 for 50 guests, including food and additional fees. No wonder Mexican weddings are so trendy among American couples.

If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding in romantic Venice, be prepared to pay a hefty price for the breathtaking views of historical European architecture. Modest venues are available for about $800 per 60 guests, although the price doesn’t include anything but rent.

Meanwhile, mid-range options are priced at about $1,054 per 24 guests, excluding dining and additional fees. High-end Venice venues charge $220 per person and upwards, excluding any add-ons.

Paris is another popular wedding destination. You can rent out the historical Château de Villette estate for $9,500 per night. The reception hall fits 200 guests, and 27 people can stay for the night. The minimum stay is two nights.

Prices for luxurious Paris wedding venues, such as the Musée Rodin, range from $12,650 to over $45,000 per day, depending on the guest count.

A wedding for 100 guests in a Spanish villa may cost you from $15,000 to over $25,000, but affordable banquet halls and event centers are significantly cheaper than in the U.S., starting at only $20 per person.

Wedding Venue Cost By Package

Sometimes, a higher-priced venue is a better deal than a lower-priced one. How so? The reason is the wedding venue package. Some venues only provide the reception space, while others offer all-inclusive packages.

The fee for the venue itself can be $0 – that’s a typical case with hotels and resorts. However, they charge extra for food, drinks, insurance, security, and furniture rentals. Additional fees may account for thousands of dollars.

When choosing your venue, request the managers to break down the price into specific fees and explain what’s included and what isn’t. For instance, wedding insurance costs about $230 on average, and clean-up service costs about $110.

Catering costs $40 per person on average for a plated meal or $27 for a buffet. If such essential costs aren’t included in the venue fee, you may end up paying significantly more than expected.

Venue packages also differ by the event’s duration. Most venues only provide the space for four to six hours, but some will allow you to party all day and night long.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Venue Cost

Indoor vs. outdoor wedding venue is among the most challenging choices for spring and summer couples. You may wonder – are outdoor wedding venues cheaper than indoor? As a rule of thumb, they are.

Thanks to the beautiful natural backdrop, outdoor weddings don’t require such extensive decoration. Furthermore, you don’t need to cover utility costs, and the insurance premium may be lower due to fewer liability risks.

You can even get married outdoors without any venue. For instance, a permit to marry in a national park typically ranges from $80 to $600, and wild beaches will accommodate your affair for free.

However, this isn’t set in stone. Some outdoor venues cost the same or even more than indoor locations.

Does Season Affect The Cost?

The peak wedding season starts in May and lasts until late October. During this time, wedding vendors are extra busy and charge more due to increased demand. But does the season affect the wedding venue cost?

In short, yes. The same wedding venue may charge 2-4 times extra for an on-peak event. For example, one of Seattle’s landmark buildings charges $625 for rent in November but $1750 in August.

Note that peak times may differ depending on the venue’s location, which is especially relevant for destination affairs. The venue price may also vary by day of the week. Saturdays and Sundays always cost more because they’re in higher demand.

Additional Costs To Consider

A common mistake in wedding venue budgeting is neglecting the sales tax. Generally, venue fees in the U.S. are taxed at an 8% rate, but the rate may differ depending on your state.

So, if a venue costs $13,000, the sales tax would be $1,040, and the total $14,040. Even a 2% increase in the sales tax makes a significant difference with several thousands of dollars.

In contrast, the sales tax is always included in European venue fees, so what you see is what you pay. Many U.S. venues also charge an extra service fee, typically ranging from 18% to 24%.

With a 21% service fee, a $13,000 wedding venue would cost $15,730. Add $1,040 in sales tax, and the price climbs up to $16,770. That’s $3,770 more than expected.

In other words, always add 25%-31% extra to the venue cost unless you plan a destination wedding. Many couples wonder – do you have to tip your wedding venue coordinators, managers, and other staff?

First, check the contract for a gratuity fee. If it’s included, you don’t have to top anything extra unless you wish to. However, if the venue doesn’t charge a gratuity fee, tipping your venue coordinator is a gracious way to say thank you.