The Real Cost of “Doing It Yourself”: Why All-Inclusive Venues Save Time, Money, and Sanity

Nov 5

Pinterest makes it look easy — a perfectly decorated barn, twinkling lights, and charming DIY centerpieces that seem to cost next to nothing.

But ask anyone who’s actually planned a wedding from scratch, and you’ll hear a different story: doing it yourself doesn’t always mean saving money.

The truth is, when you add up the cost of rentals, vendors, labor, and stress, a DIY wedding often ends up costing morethan booking an all-inclusive venue — and takes far more time and energy than most couples expect.

Here’s a breakdown of what really goes into a DIY wedding — and why so many Oklahoma couples are choosing all-inclusive venues like Rose Briar Place instead.

The Hidden Costs of a DIY Wedding

When couples start planning, they often focus only on the big numbers — the venue rental, the catering, the dress. But the hidden costs are what truly add up.

Here’s what DIY weddings often overlook:

Tables, chairs, and linens rentals (plus delivery, setup, and pickup fees)
Décor and centerpieces (purchased or rented individually)
Setup and teardown labor (someone has to do it — often you, your family, or your friends)
Coordination (you’ll either manage the day yourself or pay for a coordinator separately)
Vendors and communication (multiple contracts, deposits, and logistics to manage)
Delivery fees and taxes (every single vendor adds their own)
Unexpected costs like lighting, sound equipment, or weather accommodations

By the time you add everything up, a DIY wedding that started out looking affordable can easily exceed the cost of a fully inclusive venue — without providing the same level of convenience or professionalism.

Time Is the Biggest Expense No One Counts

If you’re planning your own wedding, you’ll spend dozens — sometimes hundreds — of hours managing details.

Between researching vendors, booking meetings, creating timelines, coordinating deliveries, and handling setup, you might as well take on a second full-time job.

An all-inclusive wedding venue like Rose Briar Place takes that burden off your shoulders completely.

Our experienced team manages the setup, décor, coordination, and flow of your entire day, so you can focus on enjoying the moments that actually matter — not answering vendor calls or rearranging tables.

Why “Included” Means More Value

The words “all-inclusive” don’t just mean convenience — they mean value.

At Rose Briar Place, what you see in our photos — the elegant linens, chargers, centerpieces, napkins, and décor — are already part of your package. You’re not paying extra for the essentials.

You’ll also get our 4 C’s, the foundation of every Rose Briar wedding:
🍽️ Catering – Bring in your own or choose from flexible in-house options.
🎂 Cake – A custom-designed, delicious wedding cake, included.
📝 Coordinator – Your personal day-of expert to ensure your day flows seamlessly.
🎤 MC – Keeps your reception timeline smooth and energy high.

That’s everything couples usually have to book — and pay for — separately.

When you bundle it all under one roof, you save time, money, and sanity.

DIY Means More Stress (for Everyone)

It’s not just your time that gets stretched thin with a DIY wedding — it’s also your loved ones’.

Without professional setup and coordination, friends and family often become your unpaid vendors — setting up chairs, decorating tables, or directing guests instead of relaxing and celebrating with you.

And when the day ends? Someone still has to clean up.

At Rose Briar Place, your guests get to do what they came to do — celebrate your love. Our team handles every setup and takedown detail so you and your loved ones can focus on memories, not manual labor.

The Financial Truth: Why DIY Often Costs More

Let’s put it into perspective:

A DIY wedding might seem like it costs less because you’re piecing everything together at lower individual prices — but you’re also paying multiple vendors, each with separate service fees, delivery charges, and minimums.

All-inclusive venues like Rose Briar Place streamline everything into one transparent, comprehensive package. That means no hidden fees, no separate contracts, and no last-minute surprises.

Plus, because we handle hundreds of weddings every year, we’re able to offer professional-level quality at a fraction of what you’d pay for the same services individually.

What Couples Say After Choosing All-Inclusive

Couples who book Rose Briar Place often say the same thing:

“I thought I’d save money doing it myself — but once I saw how much was included, it just made sense.”
“We saved so much time and didn’t have to lift a finger. It was the easiest decision we made.”

We’ve built our reputation as one of Oklahoma’s most trusted and top-rated all-inclusive venues by doing one thing better than anyone else — taking care of every detail so you don’t have to.

Why All-Inclusive Just Makes Sense

When you add it all up — the money, the hours, and the stress — the choice becomes clear:
A DIY wedding costs more than it looks.

An all-inclusive wedding venue like Rose Briar Place gives you the same (or better) result, for less — all while saving your sanity.

You’ll have a stunning ceremony and reception space, experienced staff, a coordinator who handles the timeline, and décor that’s already included.

You bring the dress. We’ll do the rest (almost).

Ready to Simplify Your Wedding?

If you’re planning a wedding in Oklahoma and want a beautiful, effortless experience that won’t break the bank, it’s time to see what all-inclusive really means.

Schedule your tour of Rose Briar Place today and discover why couples across Oklahoma City, Yukon, and Edmond choose us for stress-free, stunning celebrations that save both time and money.

Because your wedding day should be about joy — not juggling vendors.