Hi there, I’m Diane. As the owner of a Jacksonville wedding venue, I have sat down with hundreds of couples since my husband Glenn and I started hosting weddings on our family farm in 2017. I’ve seen the excitement in their eyes when they talk about their vision, but I’ve also seen the anxiety that creeps in when the conversation turns to money.
Let’s be honest: talking about the budget is the least romantic part of wedding planning. However, it is the absolute most critical step to ensure your journey to the altar is joyful rather than stressful. If you are looking for a wedding venue in Jacksonville or dreaming of an outdoor wedding venue under the stars, you might be experiencing some sticker shock. Prices have changed significantly over the last few years.
At All4One Farms, we believe in radical transparency. We want our couples to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. That is why I’m sharing this guide on how to build a realistic wedding budget for 2026, so you can book your dream garden wedding venue with confidence and clarity.
Why a Solid Budget Matters More Than Ever
In 2026, the wedding industry has stabilized from the post-pandemic rush, but the cost of doing business has risen. A budget isn’t meant to restrict you; it’s meant to guide you. It acts as a filter, helping you make decisions quickly and avoiding the heartbreak of falling in love with a vendor or venue that simply doesn’t fit your financial reality.
Building a budget before you sign a contract builds trust between you and your partner. It sets the tone for your marriage—approaching big financial decisions as a team.
What Impacts Venue Pricing in 2026?
When you start touring venues, you might wonder why pricing varies so wildly. Several factors are driving venue costs this year:
- Operational Costs: Just like your grocery bill has gone up, so has the cost of maintaining a property. Insurance rates for venues have skyrocketed, and the cost of labor for cleaning, maintenance, and day-of staff has increased.
- Demand and Dates: Saturdays in peak months (like February, March, October, and November here in North Florida) will always command a premium. We are currently booking into 2027, and high demand for prime dates affects pricing across the board.
- Inclusions: A venue that provides nothing but the land will be cheaper than one that provides furniture, suites, and decor. However, the “cheaper” option often ends up costing more once you rent everything individually.
What is Typically Included vs. Not Included?
This is where things get tricky. In the wedding world, you generally have “All-Inclusive” venues and “A La Carte” venues.
All-Inclusive venues charge a high per-person price but handle catering, linens, and sometimes even flowers. While convenient, this often comes with high service fees and less flexibility.
At All4One Farms, we operate as an a la carte venue. This means we provide the space and the hard assets, and you have the freedom to choose your own vendors. This model often saves couples thousands of dollars because you aren’t locked into a specific caterer’s high minimums.When evaluating a venue, ask if these items are included or extra:
- Tables and Chairs: We include round or banquet tables and white Chiavari chairs. Many venues charge $5-$10 per chair rentals.
- Ceremony Seating: We provide beautiful antique oak pews.
- Getting Ready Spaces: Do you have to pay extra for a bridal suite? Ours is included in the main house.
- Time: We offer a full 12-hour rental. Many venues only give you 6 or 8 hours, charging steep overtime fees.
Photos by Laura Perez Photography
The “Hidden” Costs Couples Often Forget
When building your budget spreadsheet, don’t just put down the venue rental fee. You need to account for the costs that don’t always appear on the glossy brochure.
- Service Fees and Taxes: If a venue provides food and beverage, expect a “Service Charge” (often 22% or more) plus sales tax. At our farm, since we don’t provide the catering, you avoid paying a venue service fee on your food bill.
- Event Insurance: Most professional venues, including ours, require couples to purchase day-of event liability insurance. This usually costs between $150 and $200.
- Rentals and Decor: If a venue is a “blank slate,” you might have to rent everything from forks to lighting. We try to mitigate this by including large decor pieces like our cedar arch, cross, whiskey barrels, and offering a “decor closet” you can raid for free.
- Vendor Meals: Don’t forget you need to feed your photographer, DJ, and planner!
How to Compare Packages: Apples to Apples
When you have three different venue brochures in front of you, it can feel like comparing apples to oranges. Here is a hack to simplify it: Calculate the “Total Venue Cost.”
Take the rental fee and add the cost of anything that venue doesn’t provide that you will need.
- Venue A: $4,000 rental. But you have to rent tables ($500), chairs ($800), and a tent ($2,000). Total Reality: $7,300.
- Venue B (Like All4One Farms): Higher initial rental fee, but includes tables, chairs, ceremony seating, rain backup (our open-air barn), and decor. Total Reality: Often lower or equal to Venue A, with far less hassle.
Prioritizing: Must-Haves vs. Nice-to-Haves
You likely cannot have it all, and that is okay. Sit down with your fiancé and pick your “Top 3.”
For many of our couples, the Top 3 are:
- The Atmosphere: They want a relaxed, outdoor/garden feel where guests aren’t stuffy.
- The Photography: They want epic photos (our sunset fields and antique pews are perfect for this).
- The Guest Experience: Good food and a great DJ.
If favors, a photobooth, or a live band aren’t in your Top 3, move them to the “Nice-to-Have” list. If the budget gets tight, those are the first to go.
Photos by Laura Perez Photography
A Sample Wedding Budget Breakdown
While every wedding is unique, here is a realistic breakdown of how a wedding budget typically looks in 2026 for a couple wanting a quality experience without going into debt.
- Venue & Catering: 45-50% (This is the biggest chunk. If you choose an a la carte venue, this percentage is split between the venue rental and your chosen caterer).
- Photography & Videography: 12-15% (Invest here—these are your memories).
- Wedding Planner/Coordinator: 10% (Essential for peace of mind).
- Decor & Flowers: 8-10% (Use our included decor to save here!).
- Entertainment (DJ/Music): 8%
- Attire & Beauty: 5%
- Stationery & Misc: 3%
- Emergency Fund: 5% (Always have a buffer!).
Why We Are Transparent About Pricing
We have been in the business of weddings since 2017, but our farm was established in 1969. We are family-owned and have a heart for service to our couples. We know that hiding pricing behind a “Contact Us for Quote” button just wastes your time and ours.
Our website has very transparent pricing and availability because we want you to know immediately if we fit your budget. We believe that an educated couple is a happy couple.
Ready to Crunch the Numbers?
Building a budget is the first step toward the wedding of your dreams. If you are looking for a venue that respects your budget and provides incredible value through extensive inclusions, we would love to meet you.
We encourage you to come and see everything in person by scheduling a tour. You can also use our price calculator to see exactly what your investment would look like.
If you have more questions about how our a la carte model works, please contact us for more information. Need some visual inspiration to see how other couples have utilized our space? Check out our gallery.
Happy planning,
Diane
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