Venue owners argue about this a lot, and both sides have a point. Here is how I think about it when I build a venue site.
The case for showing prices
- Couples expect it. They are used to seeing prices for almost everything they research online, and a missing price often reads as “expensive” or “hiding something”.
- Fewer dead-end enquiries. Couples far outside your range filter themselves out, which saves your team time on replies and viewings that were never going to book.
- Warmer enquiries. A couple who has seen your price and still enquires has already accepted it. The first conversation can be about the day, not the budget.
- Trust. Being open about price can feel honest and confident, which fits most venues’ brands.
The case against
- Every wedding is different. Guest numbers, day of the week, season and extras change the total a lot, and a single number can mislead.
- Price without context. A couple comparing two numbers online may not see that yours includes catering, furniture or accommodation.
- Competitors can see it. Some venues do not want to be undercut or used as a benchmark.
- You lose the conversation. A good viewing can move a couple’s budget. If they never enquire, you never get that chance.
Four middle-ground options
- A “from” price. “Weddings from £X for 80 guests” gives couples a floor without committing you to a full price list.
- Prices by season or day. A simple table of peak, off-peak and midweek starting points helps flexible couples find a date that works.
- A price guide on request. Couples get the full guide by email after sharing their date and guest count. This works best when the guide arrives instantly, not the next day.
- An explanation instead of a number. Say what affects the price and what is included, then invite a quote. It is better than silence, though weaker than a figure.
Whatever you choose, do these
- Say clearly what is included, so couples compare like with like.
- Keep prices on the page as text, not only in a PDF, so couples on phones and search engines can read them.
- Keep numbers up to date. An old price on your site that no longer applies causes more trouble than no price at all.
- If you use a chatbot or enquiry assistant, only let it quote numbers you have approved.
Pricing is one item on the wedding venue website checklist. If you are redesigning, it is worth deciding on your pricing approach before the pages are built, because it shapes the whole enquiry path. That is part of how I plan a wedding venue website.