All-Inclusive vs. Blank Canvas Venue: Which is Right for You?

You're engaged! You've set a date (or at least a season). Now comes the first, and biggest, decision in your wedding planning journey: the venue. As you start your search, you'll quickly find that venues generally fall into two categories: "all-inclusive" and "blank canvas."

Knowing the difference is the key to finding a space that fits your budget, your vision, and—most importantly—your stress level. There's no "right" answer, but there is a "right answer for you."

Let's break down the pros and cons of each.

The All-Inclusive Venue

This is the "one-stop-shop" of the wedding world. An all-inclusive venue typically bundles the venue rental, food, bar, staffing, and often even essentials like tables, chairs, linens, and flatware into a single per-person price.

The Pros:

• Ultimate Convenience: This is the main selling point. You have one contract and one main point of contact. The venue's team handles all the heavy lifting, coordination, and setup.

• Budget Predictability: While not always "cheaper," the budget is very clear from the start. You'll know the exact cost-per-guest, making it easy to calculate your total.

• Less Stress: If you're a busy couple, planning from out of town, or simply get overwhelmed by too many decisions, an all-inclusive package simplifies the entire process.

  
  

The Cons:

• Less Flexibility: You must use their in-house caterer, their bar packages, and their preferred vendors. Don't love their menu options? You may not have a choice.

• "Cookie-Cutter" Potential: Because they run the same package week after week, your wedding might feel less unique and more like the one they hosted the night before.

• Hidden Costs: You can't shop around for better deals on food or alcohol, so you may be paying a premium for that convenience.

  
  

Best for: The couple who wants a beautiful, stress-free day and trusts a professional team to handle all the details.

The "Blank Canvas" Venue

This is the "choose your own adventure" of wedding venues. A blank canvas (or "DIY") venue provides the space, and... that's it! You rent the physical location (like a hangar, a loft, a warehouse, or a barn) and you are responsible for bringing in everything else.

The Pros:

• Total Creative Control: Your vision is the only vision. You can have a food truck festival, a five-course vegan feast, or a family-style BBQ. You can hire the exact DJ, florist, and photographer you've been dreaming of. The space is yours to transform.

• Budget Flexibility: While it requires more management, you can control costs by shopping around. You can find a caterer that fits your exact budget, or save a lot of money by providing your own alcohol.

• A Truly Unique Event: By definition, no two weddings at a blank canvas venue are the same. Your event will be 100% you.

  
  

The Cons:

• A Lot More Work: You (or your wedding planner) become the project manager. You are coordinating a dozen different vendors, contracts, and timelines.

• "The Little Things" Add Up: You are renting everything: tables, chairs, linens, forks, glasses, lighting... it can be a lot to track.

• Budget Can Be Deceiving: The rental fee may seem low, but you must be diligent in pricing out all rentals and vendors to see the true total cost.

Best for: The couple who has a very specific vision, loves to be hands-on, and prioritizes personalization and flexibility above all else.

P.S. If you're an Idaho couple who loves the idea of total creative control, a "blank canvas" venue is for you. At Vertical Venues, we offer a 12,000 sq. ft. open-air hangar that's the ultimate blank slate... and we give you a head start by including all your tables and chairs!

See how couples have transformed our space at Vertical Venues.