Exclusive-use wedding venues are the ideal choice if privacy and seclusion are important for you as a couple. An exclusive-use venue will be yours and yours only for the whole day or weekend of your wedding. Any accommodation at the venue will only be able to be booked by you and your guests.
This is important for two reasons. Firstly, exclusive use means that another wedding can’t be held at the same venue on the same say as yours. If it’s a large venue with several function spaces, this can happen if you don’t go for exclusive use. It can make your day much cheaper if you don’t have exclusive use, but it can also feel less special, staff can have their attention torn if there’s an issue with the other wedding, and you might not be able to ensure accommodation for your guests.
Secondly, if you have a venue that’s open to the public, like a stately home or hotel, you may find visitors wandering around. There’s nothing more annoying than strangers gawping at you as you exchange vows, popping up in the back of your wedding photos or interrupting as you try to enjoy a morning-after breakfast with your loved ones.
What Does Exclusive Use Mean?
Exclusive use means that you will have free run of the wedding venue without anyone else there. For example, if the wedding venue is a hotel or a stately home, hiring it exclusively means that there won’t be other guests or visitors to the venue on the day.
Exclusive use means you’re guaranteed that no one else will be at the venue except your guests and the venue staff.
Are All-Inclusive Wedding Venues Worth It?
Many exclusive-use wedding venues offer all-inclusive wedding packages. For a set price, you’ll get your venue hire, ceremony costs, catering, a drinks package, cake and decor hire included. Sometimes even suppliers like a photographer or DJ are included.
If you have a strict budget that you need to stick to, an all-inclusive package at your wedding venue may be worth it. If you want to personalise your whole day, then an all-inclusive package isn’t for you. Speak to the venue about their bespoke packages where you can let your creative juices flow.
How Much Does Exclusive Use Cost?
This entirely depends on the wedding venue. Many venues only offer exclusive-use hire so that all the staff are focused entirely on your day. Others offer it as a choice, and it will increase the price of the venue hire if you choose to have exclusive hire.
Think carefully about what’s more important to you. Do you love the venue but couldn’t afford it exclusive-use? Then sharing the venue could be the best option. If you want to create a very special, private feel for your day, then you will want exclusive-use and will need to factor that into your budget.
