3 Reasons Why Brides Love Open Vendor Wedding Venues

Are you curious about wedding venue types? Today I’m talking the top 3 reasons why brides love open vendor wedding venues!

If you’re late to my wedding venue series, no worries! Last time I talked partially inclusive wedding venues.

The idea of an open vendor policy at wedding venues is becoming very popular, and many couples are looking for this type of wedding venue. In the modern world, it is all about doing what YOU love. Open vendor wedding venues make that possibility a reality.

What are open vendor wedding venues?

Open vendor wedding venues are wedding an event spaces that allow any vendor hired by the couple. We talked a little bit about the variety of venues and this policy in our last post. It’s difficult to give one solid definition, but the main idea rests in hiring who you prefer!

A true open vendor policy will allow a hired company with insurance to work from the space. The venue might give a list of local vendors they love, but they will still welcome new businesses. You can use their list, or you don’t have to use their list. Remember, it is all up to you or the couple.

When venues allow anyone, it doesn’t mean it’s a free pass. Venues will almost always need a certificate of insurance and a business license. This policy is in place to protect the entire event! From the vendor owners, to other vendors, to you and your guests. As a planner, I always recommend checking on insurance before signing the contract.

Vendors allowed through the open vendor policy will range for each couple. They might choose any caterer, florist, or wedding planner!

With this in mind, open vendor wedding venues pick an open vendor policy for many reasons. The main draw is the focus they can put into maintaining the quality of the space. The more time venues can improve the building and landscaping, the more beautiful space you receive.

When a company can focus on one aspect, the better they can serve you in that area. (Hint, hint: this means your venue can be perfect!)

YOUR WEDDING PLANNING EXPERIENCE

I’ll admit, sometimes an open vendor wedding venue can strike nervousness with couples. With the idea of having to do everything yourself, it can become overwhelming!

Luckily, a common factor with open vendor wedding venues is requiring a coordinator. Couples will even consider hiring a full planner to help them map out the day. While it’s not mandatory, this can bring a great advantage to your wedding experience.

Considering a wedding planner? Philocalist Designs would love to be part of your way! Inquire here for 2024 and 2025 weddings.

As I mentioned before, venues give a list of vendors they love to have in the space! By using that list, you can plan your wedding with trusted businesses. They will guide you throughout the entire process and show you what areas of the wedding venue work for you.

3 REASONS WHY BRIDES LOVE OPEN VENDOR WEDDING VENUES

1. Unique and creative wedding options

Firstly, couples love being able to use any vendor they want! When a wedding venue only requires insurance and a license, you can pick the people you love to make your vision. The more variety a venue allows, the more unique wedding day! Opening it up to the vendors you prefer means the sky is the limit.

It also means that if you are a creative person and love to DIY, you can even ask about that option for some of the decor.

Furthermore, wedding venues that see more options from the couples and vendors are often more equipped to change. The wedding venue is always a new and vibrant space to create an event. You will be able to find inspiration from past weddings to help shape your vendor choices.

And if you haven’t seen someone do what you want… you can make it!

For example, another way this presents creative options is that you are able to hire vendors who are not local. If you’ve been swooning over a wedding photographer like Wander Love Captures from California or a wedding florist from NYC, you can hire them.

2. You can keep your wedding priorities

Secondly, you are able to keep your wedding goals. At some wedding venues, you’re locked in to a minimum spend on the elements they provide. With open vendor wedding venues, you’re not! Your priorities can remain intact. If you don’t want to include a fancy plated meal, you don’t have to pick that option.

For example, wedding venues that do catering in-house will give you limited options on what they offer. Some couples do not wish to spend a good chunk of their money on food. Instead, they would prefer to spend money on florals and decor! With a venue that requires in-house catering, they need to meet the minimum spend amount.

When they are able to choose a food truck or a pizza buffet, they are able to get exactly what they want.

At most open vendor wedding venues, you are able to spend what you wish on the vendors you care about most. Which brings us to the main reason why couples choose these types of wedding venues:

3. Budget flexibility

Furthermore, when you are not required to use specific companies, your budget gets to breathe! Wanting to use your favorite DJ or band? Go wild with the budget.

Worried about the cost on florals or bar service? Feel the freedom of not locking in to the options of an all-inclusive wedding venue.

At open vendor wedding venues, I’ve seen so much variety with budgets. In most cases, these venues do not have any guest minimum. You are able to have plenty of flexibility on the size of your wedding. Guest count has so much to do with your wedding budget. A wedding venue that does not need you to have a set amount can ease your wedding budget.

Stressed about all this budget talk? Don’t sweat it– I can get your started with my free Wedding Cost Estimator.

Wedding Planners Love Open Vendor Wedding Venues

I’ll be honest, it is more work for wedding planners to put together a wedding at an open vendor wedding venue. But is it so rewarding! (And fun!) Wedding planners have trusted teams of vendors they have used time and time again. We love hiring quality companies.

A wedding planner’s main goal is to ensure your wedding day is a wonderful experience for you. We want it to be a stress-free and smooth event.

Wedding planners know that picking the right team can make the difference. If a venue limits the ability to pick and choose, it can sometimes be more work or more unknowns. Luckily, the right planners are able to roll with the punches.

With an open vendor policy, planners are also able to make sure you are staying within your budget.

At Philocalist Designs, I go over the top priorities with you. We talk about every priority in-depth and how it works in your budget. It’s easy to stay within the wedding budget limits when you aren’t locked into only 1 or 2 vendors on the list!

Philocalist Designs at Open Vendor Wedding Venues

My experience with open vendor wedding venues is extensive! I’ve worked on staff at three open vendor wedding venues. I’ve planned many weddings at open vendor wedding venues. And surprise, I’ve even gotten married at one! You could say that I *might* be in love with this style of venue.

Check out one of my favorite Nashville weddings! Yes– at an open vendor wedding venue!

Undeniably, there are great advantages to all-inclusive wedding venues and partially inclusive wedding venues. It’s not a surprise that open vendor wedding venues are rising in popularity for 2024 and 2025 weddings.

Nashville Venue List

With this in mind, I want my brides to have all the resources before they start spending. I’ve created a free Nashville wedding venue list that breaks down the wedding venues in their categories! The work is also done for you– no more searching online for these names. The list has all of the links you need.

You can snag that HERE.

Open Vendor Wedding Venues Give You Control

Finally, your wedding experience and your day should put you in control. The three things that open vendor wedding venues offer will welcome that!

To list them, here are 3 elements make an open vendor wedding venues different:

1. Unique and creative wedding options
2. You can keep your wedding priorities
3. Budget flexibility

For some couples, these might not be aspects that they have time to consider. Every couple is different when planning their wedding day! More inclusive wedding venues can sometimes be the path that works the best.

Looking for flexibility to plan your wedding how you want? You should consider open vendor wedding venues.

And Philocalist Designs will always help you make the day your dream no matter the space!