What's actually included in wedding supplier prices?

What's included in venue hire?

Venue pricing can be confusing because different venues include very different things. Always get a detailed breakdown.

"The venue hire price will include the venue hire, which is normally exclusive use for a day and a night, a 24-hour period," explains Brympton House. "It will include car parking. It will include all furniture, tables and chairs. Some venues will also include accommodation within the price. Any on-site accommodation may be in addition, but some may already include it."

Came House offers a clear example: "We offer exclusive use of the house and the grounds. Only you and your guests will have access to these areas. You will have access from the moment you arrive on Friday afternoon through to departure on Sunday afternoon."

The key question is whether exclusive use means what you think it means. "Not all venues offer exclusive use, and there will be a big difference in price," notes Brympton House. "Exclusive use could be for 24 hours or just for the ceremony time only. It's very dependent on the venue."

What does a venue coordinator actually do?

This is commonly misunderstood. A venue coordinator isn't the same as a wedding planner.

"Having a wedding coordinator as part of the venue is often an area that is misunderstood," explains Came House. "Coordinators are there for anything venue-related. Their roles include discussions around venue capacity and layouts, advising on timings that work within a specific venue, managing room setups, changeovers and access time for suppliers."

The limitation is clear: "They focus on what is happening in the building and the grounds, not so much what is happening within the planning process."

If you want someone managing the whole wedding, you need a planner. The venue coordinator handles the venue.

What's typically included in DJ pricing?

DJ packages should be transparent about everything you're getting.

"What's typically included in a DJ's pricing package? The standard package would be the DJ performance, usually up to 5 hours, travel to and from the venue, and all the kit being provided that's needed," says DJ Max G. "The basic kit includes the DJ tech equipment, a DJ booth, PA speakers to amplify the music, a microphone, and lighting for the dance floor."

Extras are usually separate: "Anything else generally would be additionals. Uplighting around the venue, any particular extra lighting, sequenced lighting, lasers. Typically the DJ would have a separate price for that."

Crucially, setup and breakdown should be covered: "Setup and breakdown time should definitely be included in a DJ's rate. When the DJ sends across pricing, they should be open book about all the time they will be investing, their arriving time, their expected leaving time, and quoting for the whole of that process."

Max G is blunt about transparency: "It's quite frustrating and makes it very difficult for potential clients if they are not disclosing the full costs at the first point of discussion. Couples should really be pushing hard to understand the total cost."

Do DJs offer different levels of service?

Yes, and the differences can be significant.

"The standard would be to arrive in the late afternoon, four or five o'clock, set up and be ready for the evening party, typically from around 7 until midnight," explains DJ Max G. "DJ only. That's a pretty simple standard way of operating."

But there's more available: "Increasingly there's lots of other packages and services. DJs can bring in additional entertainment in the evening, so percussion players or a sax player. Or they can provide music for other sections of the day, like the drinks reception or even ceremony music."

Understanding these options helps you compare quotes properly. A cheaper DJ might offer less; an expensive one might include extras you hadn't considered.

What's included in catering quotes?

Catering quotes should cover more than just the food.

"In our quotes, we include everything that we feel every catering job should need," says Fossil Food Catering. "Staff, cutlery, plates, linen napkins of couples' choice and colour. We include the taster session, travel, table laying, and all of the planning and preparations."

They also include coordination: "We include myself as a coordinator as well, so there's a contact that knows all the details from start to finish."

VAT is often separate: "VAT is on top. The only things we don't include are the things that are variables, such as final guest numbers and drinks."

Ginger Catering Company notes that pricing approaches vary: "Most caterers provide fixed price menus or packages. However, because we work in such a variety of venues, we quote individually so all costs are broken down within the estimate."

When comparing caterers, ensure you're comparing like for like. One quote might include everything; another might have staff and tableware as extras.

How do hair stylists typically price?

Hair pricing often separates trials from wedding day services.

"Different artists price differently," explains Sabrina Duparcq of Sabrina Duparcq Hair Artistry. "Some will price as a package and give brides one to three different packages to choose from, which may include the trial cost. Some prefer to do an à la carte menu and list everything separately."

For trials specifically: "On average, trials cost anywhere between £100 and £200 per service. So for hair only, expect between £100 and £200 for a trial."

Travel is another variable. Many stylists include travel within a certain radius (often 10-15 miles) but charge per mile beyond that. Always check what travel costs apply to your venue location.