Venue quotes are not standardized. Two venues can quote the same number for wildly different scope, and the gap between a quote and a final invoice is usually 15–30%. Here's the complete list of what to check, item by item.
Almost always included
- The space, for a set number of hours
- Basic cleaning
- Restrooms
- Parking, at most suburban venues
- General liability coverage for the building
Usually included at full-service venues
- Tables and standard chairs
- Basic linens
- China, glassware, flatware
- Waitstaff and bartenders
- Setup and breakdown of venue-owned items
- A venue manager on site
Sometimes included — always ask
| Item | If not included |
|---|---|
| Ceremony on site | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Coordinator | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Dance floor | $500 – $1,400 |
| Getting-ready space | $300 – $1,000 |
| Upgraded chairs | $8 – $16 each |
| Upgraded linens | $18 – $45 per table |
| Cake cutting | $1.50 – $5 per person |
| Uplighting | $300 – $800 |
| Rehearsal time on site | $0 – $750 |
| Valet parking | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Coat check | $200 – $600 |
Almost never included
- Photography and videography
- Florals beyond a token arrangement
- DJ, band, or ceremony musicians
- Officiant
- Cake, unless the venue caters
- Stationery
- Transportation
- Hotel blocks
- Your marriage license — $85 in Bucks County
The seven questions that surface hidden costs
Ask every venue these. In writing.
1. What is my total cost for [guest count] on [date], including service charge and tax? The single most useful question. Anything else is a partial answer.
2. Is there a food and beverage minimum, and does service charge count toward it? On a $12,000 minimum, that second half is worth around $2,500.
3. How many hours are included, and what's the overtime rate? Overtime typically runs $500 to $1,500 per hour and it's very easy to trigger.
4. Is the ceremony included, or a separate fee? The most common gap between quoted and final.
5. What's the rain plan, and does it cost anything? Some venues charge for tent setup or an indoor conversion. Ask what triggers the decision and who makes it.
6. Are we required to use specific vendors, and is there a fee if we don't? Some venues charge an outside-vendor fee of $500 to $2,000.
7. What's the deposit, the payment schedule, and the postponement policy? See venue deposits and payment schedules.
Where quotes and invoices diverge
The most common surprises, roughly in order of frequency:
Service charge and tax. Typically 20–22% service plus 6% Pennsylvania sales tax. On $25,000 of food and beverage, that's about $6,750. Many quotes are pre-both.
Ceremony fee. $1,000 to $3,000 at venues that price it separately.
Cake cutting. $1.50 to $5 per person, or $180 to $600 on 120 guests.
Vendor meals. 4 to 8 plates at $25 to $50 each. Frequently contractual.
Overtime. $500 to $1,500 per hour, and receptions run long.
Upgraded chairs and linens. The "package" chair is usually the standard banquet chair.
Outside vendor fees. $500 to $2,000 for using a caterer or coordinator not on the list.
Insurance. Some venues require event liability coverage, $150 to $500.
Setup and breakdown windows. If your florist needs three hours and the venue allows one, you may pay for early access.
Full list in hidden wedding costs.
What "coordinator included" actually means
One of the vaguest inclusions in the industry, and worth pinning down.
Venue coordinator — works for the venue. Manages the building, the staff, and the food service. Does not build your timeline, chase your florist, or hold your rings. This is what "coordinator included" almost always means.
Day-of coordinator — works for you. Runs the timeline, manages vendors, handles problems. Typically $1,200 to $2,500 if you hire one separately.
Full-service planner — works for you from booking to wedding day. $4,000 to $12,000+.
Ask directly: "Does the included coordinator build my timeline and manage my outside vendors, or manage your staff and the room?" The answer determines whether you need to hire someone.
A comparison worksheet
Take this to every tour:
| Venue A | Venue B | Venue C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quoted price | |||
| What model (site fee / minimum / all-in) | |||
| Hours included | |||
| Ceremony included? | |||
| Catering included? | |||
| Bar included? | |||
| Tables, chairs, linens? | |||
| China, glass, flatware? | |||
| Staff included? | |||
| Coordinator — and which kind? | |||
| Service charge % | |||
| Tax included in quote? | |||
| Cake cutting fee | |||
| Overtime rate | |||
| Rain plan and cost | |||
| Vendor restrictions | |||
| TOTAL for my guest count |
The printable version is in our venue tour questions checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What's usually included in a wedding venue price? The space for set hours, cleaning, restrooms, and parking are near-universal. Full-service venues typically add tables, chairs, linens, place settings, and staff. Photography, florals, music, and officiant are almost never included.
Do wedding venues include tables and chairs? Full-service venues usually do. Barns, raw sites, and private properties typically don't — budget $2,000 to $4,000 for basic rentals, or considerably more if you also need a tent.
Is the ceremony included in venue pricing? Sometimes. Venues that charge 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.
What is a cake cutting fee? A charge to cut and serve a cake the venue didn't make, typically $1.50 to $5 per person. Ask whether it applies and whether it can be waived.
Does "coordinator included" mean I don't need a planner? Usually not. Venue coordinators manage the venue's staff and space, not your vendors or timeline. A separate day-of coordinator runs $1,200 to $2,500 if you want one.
How much should I add to a venue quote for the real number? Expect 15–30% above the initial quote once service charge, tax, ceremony fee, and common extras are included — more if the quote excludes catering.
Weddings at The Arbor
The Arbor at The Bucks Club is a wedding venue in Jamison, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We publish what's included and what isn't, because comparing venues is hard enough without guessing.
Cost figures derived from published Philadelphia-metro and Pennsylvania market data, August 2026.
Last updated: August 2026