A Brooklyn Wedding

At Deity Brooklyn we talk a lot about the savings you will get when booking an all inclusive wedding venue. What are those savings? Is that just speculation or are there really HUGE savings that come with booking Deity as an all-inclusive wedding venue in a city like New York?

Planning a wedding involves a myriad of expenses, some of which may not be immediately obvious. Here are some hidden expenses to consider:

1. Gratuities and Tips: While you might have budgeted for vendor fees, at other venues you will also need to allocate funds for tips for service staff, such as waitstaff, bartenders, and valets. Deity pays an NYC living wage. There is no need to supplement income with tips.
   • Catering Staff: If gratuity is not already included in your catering contract, consider tipping 15% to 20% of the total catering bill, which may be divided among the catering manager, chefs, servers, and bartenders.
   • Transportation: If gratuity is not already included in your transportation contract, consider tipping 15% to 20% of the total bill, which may be divided among the drivers.
   • Band or DJ: Tipping 10% to 15% of the total contract is customary for bands or DJs who provide entertainment during your wedding reception.
2. Transportation: Consider transportation costs for the wedding party, especially if you’re hosting events in multiple locations or need to shuttle guests between venues. With Deity Event’s prime location in Brooklyn guests will be within walking distance of eight 4 and 5 star hotels. With the ceremony on site there is no need for transportation of guests or wedding party. There is not even a need for you to be transported in your dress or tux from hotel to venue as the Deity Wedding Suite is available for you to get ready in just upstairs from where your ceremony will be.
   • Limousine or Luxury Car Rental: Renting a limousine or luxury car for transportation to and from the ceremony and reception venues typically ranges from $100 to $300 per hour, with a minimum rental period of around three to four hours.
   • Vintage Car Rental: If you opt for a vintage or classic car for a more unique and stylish entrance, expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $800 for a few hours of service.
   • Shuttle Service: Providing shuttle service for guests between hotels, ceremony, and reception venues can range from $500 to $1,500 or more, depending on the number of guests, distance traveled, and duration of service.
3. Decor and Rentals: Beyond flowers and centerpieces, remember to budget for items like linens, chairs, lighting, and décor rentals, as well as any fees for delivery, setup, and teardown. Deity includes all rentals you should need such as linens, tableware and glassware, decorative lighting and a huge candle display.
   • Here’s a breakdown of common decor and rental items and their average costs:
   • Floral Arrangements: Floral costs can vary significantly based on the types of flowers chosen, the size and complexity of arrangements, and the season. On average, couples in NYC may spend anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 or more on floral decor for their wedding.
   • Table Linens and Chair Covers: Renting table linens, napkins, and chair covers can cost approximately $5 to $15 per guest, depending on the quality of the fabric and any additional embellishments.
   • Tableware and Glassware: Renting plates, glassware, flatware, and serving utensils typically costs around $5 to $10 per guest, depending on the style and quality of the items.
   • Lighting: Decorative lighting elements such as string lights, chandeliers, and uplighting can enhance the ambiance of your wedding venue. Costs for lighting rentals vary widely but may range from $500 to $3,000 or more, depending on the scope of the lighting design.
   • Draping and Backdrops: Adding draping or backdrops to your wedding venue can create a beautiful focal point for ceremonies and receptions. Costs for draping and backdrop rentals can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the size and complexity of the installation.
   • Furniture Rentals: Renting specialty furniture pieces such as lounge seating, banquettes, or decorative props can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the quantity and style of the items.
   • Miscellaneous Decor Items: Additional decor items such as signage, candles, centerpieces, table runners, and aisle decorations can add up quickly. Couples may spend anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on these miscellaneous decor items, depending on their preferences and the size of the wedding.
4. Postage and Stationery: Save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, and thank-you notes all incur postage costs. Additionally, custom designs or premium paper can increase stationery expenses. Stationary is a great example of how little things add up. You can find extra savings when every little bit counts by using Deity’s Save the Date Templates and send out an evite.
   • Save-the-Dates: Sending save-the-date cards to notify guests of your wedding date and location typically costs anywhere from $1 to $3 per card, depending on the design, printing method, and additional features such as envelope liners or foil stamping.
   • Invitations: Wedding invitations are one of the most important stationery items and can range in price depending on the complexity of the design, printing method, paper quality, and any additional inserts or embellishments. On average, couples may spend anywhere from $5 to $15 or more per invitation suite.
   • Response Cards: Response cards, also known as RSVP cards, are included with the wedding invitation to allow guests to indicate whether they will attend the wedding. Response cards typically cost around $1 to $3 each, including envelopes for guests to return them.
   • Invitation Envelopes: Envelopes for wedding invitations and response cards can be purchased pre-addressed or blank, depending on your preference. Envelopes typically cost around $0.50 to $2 each, depending on the size, color, and customization options.
   • Postage: Postage costs for mailing save-the-dates, invitations, and response cards will vary depending on the size and weight of each mailing. On average, couples may spend anywhere from $0.55 to $1.00 or more per envelope for standard postage rates.
   • Programs, Menus, and Escort Cards: Additional stationery items such as ceremony programs, reception menus, and escort cards can add to the overall stationery budget. Costs for these items vary depending on the design, printing method, and quantity needed.
5. Insurance: Wedding insurance can protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances like vendor cancellations, extreme weather, or accidents. Deity does not require wedding or event insurance.
   • The cost of wedding insurance in New York City, as in any location, can vary depending on several factors such as the coverage limits, the size and location of the event, the number of guests, and any additional coverage options you may choose. However, on average, wedding insurance policies typically range from $150 to $600 or more.
6. Cake Cutting Fees: It feels so silly to include this but it’s true. A lot of New York City venues have cake cutting and serving fees. Couples can expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $10 or more per guest for cake cutting and serving fees. This does not include the actual cake! It should go without saying, but Deity does not charge for this.

These are just the hidden costs. They don’t include the larger costs of venue fee, catering and day of coordinator. By considering these hidden expenses upfront, you can better prepare for the financial aspects of your big day and choose a wedding venue accordingly to avoid any hidden expenses.