Per person or venue hire: how venue pricing works

Venues that publish a price quote it in one of two ways: an amount per guest, or a fee for the venue itself. OnWhere I Do, 54 venues publish a per person price and 36 publish a venue hire price. The two are not directly comparable, so it helps to know what each one usually means.

Per person

A per person price is a package charged for each guest. It normally covers the meal and a drinks package for a set number of hours, and often the room, staff and basic styling such as tables, chairs and linen.

• Good for: knowing roughly what the day costs as soon as you know your guest numbers.
• Check: the minimum number of guests, which days and seasons the price applies to, and how long the drinks package runs.
• Watch for: extras priced separately, such as the ceremony, a later finish, or children's and supplier meals.

Browse venues with a per person price.

Venue hire

A venue hire price is a fee, or a minimum spend, for the use of the space. Catering and drinks are usually charged on top, either by the venue or by a caterer you bring in.

• Good for: couples who want more control over food, drinks and suppliers, or who are planning a small or unusual day.
• Check: how many hours the fee covers, what furniture and equipment come with it, and whether you can bring your own caterer and drinks.
• Watch for: whether the figure is a hire fee or a minimum spend. A minimum spend can go towards food and drinks; a hire fee usually cannot.

Browse venues with a venue hire price.

• Vines of the Yarra Valley, Coldstream
• Scotchmans Hill, Drysdale
• Eynesbury Weddings, Eynesbury

Comparing the two

The only fair comparison is the total for your day. For each venue you are considering, work out:

1. The venue fee, if there is one.
2. Food and drinks for your number of guests.
3. Anything the other venue includes that this one charges for, such as the ceremony, furniture or staff.

A venue with a low hire fee can cost more in total than one with a high per person price, and the reverse. Ask each venue for a written quote for the same date and guest numbers before you compare.

For the figures venues actually publish, see what wedding venues in Victoria cost. For what to ask before you sign, seequestions to ask a wedding venue.