“All-inclusive” is the most oversold phrase in the wedding industry. At one venue it means the room, the food, the bar and the staff. At another it means the room and a list of preferred vendors you will pay separately.
If you are comparing wedding venue packages in Pennsylvania, the only way to compare honestly is line by line. This guide breaks down what a real all-inclusive package contains, using the package at The Gardens at Applecross in Downingtown as the worked example — and shows how the venue’s Value Dates program changes the cost per guest without changing the wedding.
Start with the per-person number — then ask what it excludes
At The Gardens at Applecross, pricing starts at $170 per person, all-inclusive, for up to 300 guests. Two follow-up questions matter more than the number itself:
What is inside it? In this case: cocktail hour, dinner service, wedding cake and dessert, a coffee and tea station, a five-hour Premium Open Bar, a private menu tasting with the chef, ceremony rehearsal, ballroom dance uplighting, event specialist coordination, private bridal suites, and a choice of 49 overlay and napkin colors.
What sits outside it? Pricing is subject to 6% sales tax and a 20% service charge. Build both into your working budget from day one — on a 150-guest wedding, that arithmetic is the difference between a comfortable budget and an uncomfortable conversation.
The bar line is where packages diverge most
Bar service is the single biggest swing between venues that both call themselves all-inclusive. Ask for three specifics every time:
- Tier. Well, call, or premium?
- Duration. Four hours and five hours are not the same wedding.
- Coverage. Does it include cocktail hour, or start at dinner?
The package here includes a Premium Open Bar for five hours, with both indoor and outdoor bars on property — which is what lets cocktail hour spill onto the adjoining deck by the fire pits and back into the indoor cocktail area without a service gap.
Food service style is a package decision, not a detail
Included catering usually offers several service styles, and each one changes the feel of the room:
- Stations and grazing keep guests circulating; strong choice for larger counts and broad menus
- Butlered hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour add a polished, staffed feel
- Plated dinner with a salad course and entrée selections creates a more formal reception
- Late-night options are available as an addition for couples who want the final hour to reset the energy
Cultural, Themed, Brunch and Stations packages are available as well, including Indian, Asian and Kosher-style menus.
How Value Dates lower cost per guest
Most venues discount slow dates quietly, if at all. The Gardens at Applecross publishes its Value Dates structure, which is unusually easy to plan around:
- January through March: $30 per person discount, plus a complimentary onsite ceremony
- April, November and December: $25 per person off Thursdays, Saturday afternoons and Sundays; $15 per person off Fridays
- May through October: $25 per person off Thursdays and Saturday afternoons; $15 per person off Sundays; $7 per person off Fridays
Every Value Date also includes a complimentary Champagne Wall and Specialty Uplighting Package.
Run the numbers on your own guest count before you rule out a non-Saturday date. A Sunday in June or a Saturday afternoon celebration keeps peak-season gardens in full bloom while trimming the per-person rate — and a Friday evening wedding is often easier for guests traveling from Philadelphia than a Saturday morning drive.
A package comparison checklist
Take this to every tour:
- Per-person starting price, and the guest minimum attached to it
- Tax and service charge percentages, stated separately
- Bar tier and number of hours
- Whether the ceremony on site costs extra
- Whether a tasting is included, and with whom
- Uplighting, linens and color options — included or rented
- Bridal suite access and for how long
- Who coordinates the day: a venue event specialist, or a planner you hire
- Rain plan: is indoor ceremony backup guaranteed, and does it cost more?
- Discounted or off-peak date structure, in writing
FAQ
How much does an all-inclusive wedding package cost at The Gardens at Applecross?
Pricing starts at $170 per person, all-inclusive, for up to 300 guests, subject to 6% sales tax and a 20% service charge.
Is the bar included?
Yes — a five-hour Premium Open Bar is part of the wedding package.
What are Value Dates?
A published discount program: $30 per person off January through March with a complimentary onsite ceremony, and per-person discounts on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday afternoons and Sundays through the rest of the year, plus a complimentary Champagne Wall and Specialty Uplighting Package.
Is the ceremony included in the package?
An onsite ceremony is included complimentary with January through March Value Dates. For other dates, confirm ceremony pricing with the venue at 215-641-9919.
Is there a rain plan?
Yes — the property offers indoor ceremony backup, with the Windows on the Garden ballroom and indoor cocktail area available.
