DIY Wedding vs. Wedding Venue: What is the Real Cost in North East Georgia?
- SpringHaus Farm Weddings
- Dec 30, 2024
- 7 min read
DIY Wedding vs. Wedding Venue: What is the Real Cost in North East Georgia?
When planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to go the traditional route and rent a wedding venue or to take the DIY route and organize everything yourself, doing it at home or on location at the family farm or where ever you are thinking about this very moment because your partner wants to 'save money'! The big decision often boils down to the total cost, but also to the type of experience you want to create. In North East Georgia, where stunning natural landscapes and charming small towns abound, you might be tempted to embrace the beauty of the region by going DIY at the family farm your grandpa owns in hopes to save some money. However, the hidden costs of organizing everything on your own might surprise you. How do we know? Because we tried...and as locally owned small wedding venue owners in North East Georgia we did just that before we even started!
In this post, we’ll break down the costs of each option—doing it yourself versus opting for a wedding venue—and explore the added value of choosing a locally owned venue that offers flexibility and personalized DIY options. As we dive into DIY vs Venue, let's really get the nitty gritty on DIY Wedding vs. Wedding Venue: What is the Real Cost in North East Georgia?
The DIY Wedding Approach: What You Need to Buy or Rent
When you decide to plan your wedding without a venue, it’s easy to overlook how much needs to be purchased or rented. Here’s a list of things you’ll need to consider:
1. Venue Rental
Even with a DIY wedding, you still need a location (aka, venue). While you may choose a scenic outdoor area, like a park or family property, you’ll likely need to rent a tent, chairs, tables, and potentially restroom facilities, especially if you’re outdoors.
Cost of Venue Rental: Typically, renting a private property or park space can range from $500 to $5,000 depending on location and time of year. If you are lucky enough to get Grandpa's farm, still take into account the amount of time and space for parking, tables, chairs, tent to rent etc.
Tents and Outdoor Setup: Tent rentals alone can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the size and amenities.
2. Catering and Food Service
Catering costs vary widely, but if you're not going with a venue that offers in-house catering, you’ll need to hire a separate caterer and rent kitchen equipment, food service items, and sometimes a food truck or catering tent.
Catering Costs: Catering can run anywhere from $15 to $100 per person, depending on the menu.
Rentals: Plates, glasses, silverware, and serving equipment can add up to $500 to $2,000, especially if you’re doing formal dining.
3. Decor
DIY weddings are known for their unique, personalized decor, but those details can add up fast. From flowers to lighting to table settings, here’s what you’ll likely need to buy or rent:
Flowers: DIY bouquets, centerpieces, and floral installations can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
Lighting and Sound Equipment: Rentals for lighting, speakers, and sound systems can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
Table Settings: Renting dinnerware, linens, chairs, and tables will likely run you $1,000 to $3,000, depending on your guest list size, mind you most venues will have their tables/chairs included in their pricing and set it up for you how you want it set up. One less thing you have to worry about!
Hiring Vendors
Just because you’re doing a DIY wedding doesn’t mean you can do it all yourself. Many couples still need professional help for certain aspects:
Photographers: Expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 for a good wedding photographer.
DJs or Live Bands: A DJ can cost $1,000 to $3,000, while live bands can be $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the band’s experience and size.
Officiant: If you're hiring a professional officiant, this can range from $200 to $500. Some venues offer in house officiants as well.
5. Additional Hidden Costs
There are plenty of other items you may need to rent or purchase, such as a wedding cake, a photo booth, wedding attire, and more. Add in bathroom rentals, and contingency costs, and suddenly the DIY route is not looking as budget-friendly as you might have hoped.
The Wedding Venue: What’s Included and Why It’s Worth the Investment
DIY Wedding vs. Wedding Venue: What is the Real Cost in North East Georgia? Now, let’s look at the alternative: booking a wedding venue. When you go this route, you typically get a more streamlined experience and can expect some level of all-inclusive pricing. Here’s what most venues in North East Georgia offer:
1. Venue only
Many local wedding venues offer all-inclusive packages that bundle several services together and some allow you to rent the space, tables and chairs and you do the DIY portion you envisioned. Some packages might include:
Venue Space: Whether it’s an elegant barn, a pine tree ceremony space, or a mountain overlook, venues typically provide the space and the tables, chairs, and ceremony area.
Catering: Some venues provide in-house catering or have partnerships with local caterers, making food one less thing you need to worry about, some are ok with you choosing your own caterer that matches your & your partners love together.
Decor: Many venues offer a selection of decor options that match their aesthetic, so you won’t need to spend extra time and money on designing and renting your own. Check out our SpringHaus Farm Something Borrowed Closet that is FREE to all booked couples.
SpringHaus Farm Pine Tree Ceremony space offers a stunning back drop included in price
2. Vendors and Staffing
A lot of venues in North East Georgia come with in-house staff who will help manage everything from setup to cleanup. They might also have relationships with preferred vendors (photographers, DJs, florists), which can take some of the guesswork out of finding the right person for the job. At SpringHaus Farm we offer a Booked Couples Wedding Guide that is a 40+ page document with details on how best to guide you in your planning, vendors we love but you don't have to choose, and the best way to proceed in photos, DJ, caterers and more.
3. Logistics and Convenience
One of the most significant advantages of a wedding venue is convenience. Wedding venues are experts in logistics. They’ll help you manage your timeline, ensure there’s enough parking for guests, provide restrooms, and set up & handle cleanup.
Cost of Wedding Venues: In North East Georgia, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 for a wedding venue, depending on the location and the services provided. Some venues offer flexible pricing, especially if you're holding your wedding during the off-season.
SpringHaus Farm offers many different dates since we are a new venue and our prices are very comparable for everything we offer.
SpringHaus Farm a new North East Georgia venue near Athens has many dates available but they are filling fast!
4. No Hidden Fees
A good, locally-owned wedding venue will often offer clear, transparent pricing. While some venues may charge extra for additional services like lighting or premium catering, only up to a specific amount of guests for a price, some wedding venues in North East Georgia have become known for providing different options that don’t nickel-and-dime couples at every turn. You won’t need to worry about paying separately for restrooms, parking, or last-minute rentals.
The Value of Choosing a Local, Family-Owned Wedding Venue
Supporting a locally owned wedding venue brings with it a unique set of benefits. Locally owned venues often offer personalized service, attention to detail, and flexibility that larger corporate chains may not. In addition, many family-owned businesses care deeply about their communities and are willing to work with couples to create a truly special experience.
Personalized Service: Local venues often have a hands-on approach. The owners and staff know the local area, understand the weather patterns, and can offer expert advice on how to make the most of the setting. As a locally owned wedding venue, SpringHaus Farm booked couples are family. They actually call the owners Mama G & Mr. Paul. :)
Community Investment: When you choose a locally owned venue, you are helping support a small business, which can have a positive impact on the local economy. Many local venues in North East Georgia also prioritize sustainability and local partnerships, such as sourcing flowers and food from nearby farms. SpringHaus Farm is a part of their local Madison County Chamber of Commerce and supports local vendors as well.
SpringHaus Farm, locally owned wedding & event venue near Athens, Georgia.
Is a DIY Wedding Worth It?
While a DIY wedding might seem like the more budget-friendly option upfront, it often requires significant time, effort, and hidden costs that add up quickly. From renting various items to hiring multiple vendors and dealing with the logistics of setting everything up, it can become more stressful and expensive than anticipated. Let SpringHaus Farm help!
On the other hand, a wedding venue in North East Georgia—especially a locally owned one like SpringHaus Farm—can provide excellent value by offering all-in-one packages, streamlined services, and the expertise needed to make your day as smooth and beautiful as possible. Local venues also understand the unique charm of the region and can help you create a wedding experience that reflects the beauty of North East Georgia, without all the hidden costs and headaches.
Ultimately, whether you choose to DIY or go the venue route will depend on your priorities, budget, convenience, and style. But don’t forget to factor in the real costs (time, stress, and unanticipated fees) when making your decision.
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, we hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate owned or investor owned venues. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map. Below is a shout out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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