Nothing standardized. The term is unregulated, and two venues advertising all-inclusive packages can differ by $15,000 in what's actually covered. Here's the checklist that reveals which is which.
What's usually in it
Most all-inclusive packages in Bucks County cover:
- The venue for a set number of hours
- Catering, from their menus
- Bar service
- Waitstaff and bartenders
- Tables and standard chairs
- Basic linens
- China, glassware, flatware
- Setup and breakdown of venue items
- A venue manager on the day
- Basic cleaning
What's sometimes in it — always ask
| Item | If not included |
|---|---|
| Ceremony on site | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Coordinator (and which kind) | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Dance floor | $500 – $1,400 |
| Getting-ready space | $300 – $1,000 |
| Cake | $500 – $1,200 |
| Upgraded chairs | $8 – $16 each |
| Upgraded linens | $18 – $45 per table |
| Uplighting | $300 – $800 |
| Champagne toast | $4 – $9 per person |
| Cocktail hour | $15 – $35 per person |
| Rehearsal time | $0 – $750 |
What's almost never in it
- Photography and videography
- Florals beyond a token arrangement
- DJ, band, or ceremony musicians
- Officiant — though Pennsylvania lets you skip one entirely
- Stationery
- Transportation
- Hotel blocks
- Hair and makeup
- Your $85 marriage license
- Service charge and tax, frequently
That last one is the big one. An "all-inclusive $145 per person" package with a 21% service charge and 6% tax is actually $184 per person. Ask.
The four questions that reveal the truth
1. What is my total cost for [guest count], including service charge and tax?
2. What will I still need to buy separately? Better than asking what's included — it surfaces things you wouldn't know to ask about.
3. Is the coordinator mine or yours? "Coordinator included" almost always means a venue coordinator who manages the building and the staff, not your vendors or your timeline. A day-of coordinator working for you is $1,200 to $2,500 separately.
4. What's the cheapest way a couple has done this here, and what did it come to? Venues know their real numbers. A straight answer tells you a lot.
The per-person trap
All-inclusive packages are often quoted per person, which makes them look comparable when they're not.
$145 per person for 120 guests sounds like $17,400. Add 21% service charge and 6% tax and it's $22,076. Add a ceremony fee, cake cutting, and vendor meals and it's $23,500.
Always convert per-person quotes to a total before comparing anything.
Is all-inclusive better?
Usually, on cost — see all-inclusive vs à la carte, where a $15,000 all-inclusive package beats a $5,000 site fee by more than $20,000 for the same wedding.
What you trade: vendor flexibility. If you want a specific caterer, a cultural menu, or an outside bar service, all-inclusive venues generally won't accommodate it.
Frequently asked questions
What does all-inclusive mean at a wedding venue? There's no standard definition. Most packages cover venue, catering, bar, staff, and basic rentals. Photography, florals, music, and officiant are almost never included, and service charge and tax often aren't in the quoted figure.
Does all-inclusive include the ceremony? Sometimes. Venues charging separately typically ask $1,000 to $3,000 for an on-site ceremony. It's one of the most common gaps between a quote and a final invoice.
Does all-inclusive include a coordinator? Often a venue coordinator, who manages the building and staff. That's different from a day-of coordinator who manages your vendors and timeline — which costs $1,200 to $2,500 separately.
Is service charge included in all-inclusive pricing? Frequently not. Expect roughly 21% service charge plus 6% Pennsylvania sales tax on top, which turns $145 per person into about $184.
Is all-inclusive cheaper? Usually yes in total, once catering, bar, rentals, staff, and coordination are accounted for. The quoted number looks higher; the final number is generally lower.
What's the catch with all-inclusive venues? Less vendor flexibility — you're generally locked into their catering and bar. That's a real constraint if you want a specific caterer or cuisine.
How do you compare all-inclusive quotes? Convert everything to a total for your guest count including service charge and tax, then list what each still leaves you to buy. Per-person figures aren't comparable on their own.
Weddings at The Arbor
The Arbor at The Bucks Club is a wedding venue in Jamison, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with on-site catering, bar, and staff. We publish what's in the package and what isn't.
Cost figures derived from published Philadelphia-metro and Pennsylvania market data, August 2026.
Last updated: August 2026