somethingprettyBy SomethingPretty editorial · Published · 2 min read
The package price is only the beginning
A per-person package is useful for an initial shortlist. Before comparing venues, check what it includes and what sits outside it. Venue hire, ceremony space, drinks, staffing and required suppliers can change the full amount. Use the same guest count and service period for each quote.
A fictional minimum-spend example
Eighty guests at $150 each produce $12,000 of qualifying package spend. If the contract requires $15,000 minimum spend, and venue hire of $2,000 is separate, the entered total is $17,000. Dividing that by 80 gives an effective cost of $212.50 per guest. The example assumes all other costs are confirmed as included.
Keep deposits out of the double count
A deposit that forms part of the total price is a payment towards that total. Adding it again overstates the cost. Keep a separate payment schedule for amounts already paid and balances due. Refundability and cancellation exposure are different questions.
Confirm GST and mandatory charges
Ask for a written total including applicable GST and all mandatory fees. If tax treatment or an extra cost is unknown, leave it unresolved rather than entering zero. A comparison with missing costs should not declare a cheapest venue.
Use the result to ask better questions
Enter the quote in SomethingPretty and review the missing-cost list. Ask the venue to confirm each item in writing, then update the comparison. The effective per-guest figure is a summary of your inputs, not a market-average wedding price or a recommendation to book.
Bring the details into your plan.
Use confirmed figures, keep unknowns visible and record the dates agreed with your providers.
Sources and editorial notes
Sources checked 23 October 2026. Worked examples are fictional illustrations. Rules and provider terms can change; check the official source for your circumstances.
General information, not an individual legal, financial or contract assessment. AI-assisted drafting with source checks; independent professional review has not been completed. About our guides · Suggest a correction