What’s Included in a Wedding Venue Hire Cost.
Choosing a wedding venue can feel like one of the hardest parts of planning - do you go for a beach, bush, or garden setting? Do you want everything in one place or split between ceremony and reception? There are so many choices!
That’s why I chatted with Nik Prideaux from The Prideaux Estate, one of the Sunshine Coast’s most stunning and heartfelt wedding venues. Nik and her husband Joe transformed the much-loved Annabella the Wedding Chapel into The Prideaux Estate - a space filled with charm, warmth, and genuine care for every couple who walks through the gates.
What’s Actually Included in a Venue Hire Cost?
Every venue is different, and as Nik explains, it’s so important for couples to understand exactly what’s included before they sign anything.
“When we took over the estate, I was shocked at how different venues can be,” says Nik. “Some you only get for three hours, some for a day, and others for three days. You might even be sharing the space with other weddings - so always ask if you have exclusive use.”
At The Prideaux Estate, couples get the venue exclusively for the day, plus a rehearsal the day before, a sound system and microphone in the chapel, pews, and a signing table - all those big-ticket details you don’t have to worry about hiring separately.
Nik also reminds couples to check things like wet weather options, access times for stylists, parking, and delivery logistics. “Sometimes a cheaper venue can end up costing more once you add in marquees, PA systems, or extra hire fees,” she says.
How to Avoid Hidden Costs When Booking Your Venue
It’s easy to fall in love with a venue and book it on the spot - Nik admits she’s done the same! But she encourages couples to dig a little deeper before signing on the dotted line.
“Joe and I booked our own wedding venue before checking guest numbers, and when we went back later, half our guests didn’t fit! We lost our deposit and had to start again,” she laughs.
Here are Nik’s top tips to make sure you don’t run into the same situation:
1. Know Your Guest Numbers:
Before touring venues, have a good idea of how many guests you’ll be inviting. There’s no point falling in love with a venue that only fits 50 when your list is 120.
2. Ask What’s Included:
Is it a full-day hire or just a few hours? Does the venue provide tables, chairs, lighting, or a sound system? Is there a wet weather option? These details matter.
3. Check Access Times:
Some venues only allow setup on the day of the wedding, which can mean extra fees for early deliveries or late pack-downs.
4. Think About Logistics:
Parking, guest transport, and nearby accommodation all play a part in your day. Venues with limited parking may require shuttle buses, which adds to your budget.
5. Get It All in Writing:
With multiple venue tours, it’s easy to forget who said what. Nik recommends asking for everything in writing so you can compare options clearly later.
My Favourite Takeaway from This Episode
I loved chatting with Nik - she’s warm, real, and full of practical wisdom. My biggest takeaway? Ask questions early and make sure your venue feels like “you.”
It’s not just about pretty views or good lighting (though that helps!). It’s about finding a space where you can picture your day unfolding naturally, surrounded by the people you love.
And her best advice of all? “Get a wedding planner!” Nik says with a laugh. “They know all the venues, handle the logistics, and feel like your sister by the end of it.”
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to the full episode featuring Nik Prideaux from The Prideaux Estate right here👉 What’s Included in a Venue Hire Cost – with Nik from The Prideaux Estate
Planning Your Sunshine Coast Wedding?
Hey, I’m Lou O’Brien - long-time local and wedding photographer behind Pop the Question! I’ve photographed hundreds of beautiful Sunshine Coast weddings and love helping couples plan their dream day with ease.
If you’re still searching for the perfect photographer to capture all the love, laughter, and in-between moments, I’d love to chat!
📷You can view my packages here - Wedding Photography Packages
🎧 Want more wedding wisdom? See all Pop the Question episodes here
📘 Download my FREE Sunshine Coast Wedding Planning Guide - it’s full of local tips and insider advice to help you plan with confidence.
A huge thank you to Nik Prideaux from The Prideaux Estate for joining me and sharing her insider tips as a wedding venue owner. You can find her here:
💻 Website: https://www.theprideauxestate.com.au/
📸 Instagram: @the_prideaux_estate
🎵 TikTok: @the_prideaux_estate
Episode Transcript
Lou (00:00.463)
Choosing a wedding venue can feel like one of the hardest decisions. Do you go for a beach, bush, or garden setting? Do you keep it all in one place, or do you split it between ceremony and reception? The options are endless. So today, I've invited Nik Prideaux from The Prideaux Estate to chat all things wedding venues. And I've known Nik and Joe since they took over the once Annabella the Wedding Chapel a few years ago.
They rebranded it to The Prideaux Estate and it's been amazing to watch them transform this already beautiful wedding venue with their own unique style and warmth. And because they own and run the venue themselves, everything feels so personal. They genuinely go above and beyond for every couple to make their day extra special. So thanks Nik for joining me today and Kiki, of course. Kiki's going. You going? Okay.
Thanks for joining us today, Nik. How are you?
Nicole (01:00.321)
thanks, Lou That's a really beautiful introduction. Thank you. How's Kiki? Shiku?
Lou (01:03.885)
she's very good. She's just had a little groom. So she's looking a bit bare. Say hi. We'll put her over there. Nik, for our listeners out there that don't know you, just tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the wedding industry.
Nicole (01:08.801)
Yeah.
No, I didn't hear it.
Hey! Hey!
Nicole (01:29.555)
Yeah, so hi everyone, my name is Nik or if I'm in trouble it's Nicole but everyone just calls me Nik. Yeah, so Joe and I got into, looking at the wedding venues pretty much since our own wedding. There's a few things that went wrong and we're just like, you know, we didn't really feel that special. If we had our day again, we would just want, you know, it to ourselves. So we were on the hunt for private property and then
had a kid delayed everything and then this beautiful property came up and we're just like that it doesn't look real. We went for a drive and we're like oh my goodness like this is very very special and yeah connected with Judy the previous owner and somehow made it work and now we've got four boys two hairy ones and two human ones and yeah.
Absolutely love it. Like our dream was to be on the coast and it's just we're just loving every minute of it.
Lou (02:31.243)
that's fantastic. And Nik, you and Joe, you originally come from where? You're out west, aren't you?
Nicole (02:38.066)
Yeah, so originally I'm from Roma, which is about a seven hour drive from the coast or 12 hours with two children. And Jo is from Townsville So yeah, up north and very hot.
Lou (02:46.27)
Yeah.
Lou (02:54.341)
Yes, yeah. wow. Thanks for that. Now, Nik, today I was wanting to chat to you about wedding venues. And one of the biggest questions for people is they need to find a venue that suits their style, budget and needs. So the question I have for you today is what's included in a venue hire cost?
Nicole (03:17.554)
Yeah, so every venue is so different. And it was actually really interesting when we took over the estate, just like doing some market research and actually just seeing like what the difference is out there. So I just get really clear on what you're actually paying for. So some venues, you only get it for three hours and then like, or you might have it for half the day or
might have it for the afternoon but there's also three other weddings going on at the same time or it's yours exclusively for the day. So for us you're our only one for the day we try and like do a rehearsal the day before and we just try and make everything so seamless so then we can take away any stress on the day of. Other venues it might be a three day hire so
You just really got to have a look at the price point and just see what's actually included. Some other venues might be, you know, is there a weather plan or do you need to get a marquee? If you're having a garden party, is the styling included or is that an extra PA system for us in the chapel, we've got the pews, we've got the sign in table, we've got the sound system, we've got the microphone. So we're just trying to take away all those bulk things that
people then don't have to worry about. And then it's just, can start themselves.
Lou (04:39.708)
Yeah, that's, yeah, what you're just saying, that's really interesting because sometimes people could be looking at a wedding venue and the price is so different, but you could be comparing something that is literally three hours to a three day event. And then you could find a property, a venue that is super cheap, but then you work out they don't have a wet weather venue.
option or they don't have the PA system so you've got to add those extra costs as well. So that's quite interesting what you're saying there.
Nicole (05:15.336)
And also with, with those ones that might not have everything included in it is a lot cheaper. It's still then, okay, well, I might have access for the day, but then those stylists or those higher companies can't actually come to site until 10 o'clock that morning or nine o'clock that morning and everything has to go at whatever time. So then you're also paying for delivery and collection or after hours and things like that. sometimes.
like face value, it's like, we'll just go with the cheaper option then. Yeah, it can add up.
Lou (05:48.612)
Yeah, so at the end of the day, they need to actually get that budget in mind and actually find out from the wedding venue what's included and what's not included, then they need to kind of work out those costs and then weigh that up. Is that what you think?
Nicole (06:03.6)
Yeah, and it's so hard to actually when you just you're in love and you just you're just like, this is perfect. Even for a little personal story, but even for Joe and I, when we went and had a look at a wedding venue, we're just like, yeah, perfect. Let's book it in. We'll pay the deposit. And then we go back a few months later. Once we've got like we know our numbers for guest counts, like, you actually can't fit all our guests in here. then we lost our
and then we had to go get another venue. was just like, it was just like, it's yeah, like if anyone wants advice, I did pretty much everything wrong. speaking of, get a plan off.
Lou (06:34.268)
my god!
Lou (06:44.263)
I mean, yeah, that's such a good point that you put there because depending on the numbers that you have for a venue, I mean, I have been to a couple of weddings before where it's been at some different, say, chapels. And there's actually guests outside the chapel during the ceremony because they didn't all fit. And I was just like, this wasn't planned very well.
Nicole (07:08.437)
Yep.
Lou (07:12.487)
So yeah, it's really important. Yeah, what if it rains and they're outside?
Nicole (07:13.056)
And it's in summer. Yeah and also too like parking as well like you know can if you can people park or is there only 10 parks and then you've got to bus people isn't that's an additional cost on getting a charter bus and different logistics and then people all staying in different areas then.
bus has to charge more because they've got more pickups so it can can add up as well.
Lou (07:44.75)
Yeah, so there's a lot more to picking a venue than saying beach, bush or garden. There's so much more.
Nicole (07:49.953)
That's a starting point, Lou. Good job.
Lou (07:57.336)
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So I would say from listening to you, couples definitely need to have a good chat to their venue to actually have list of questions to ask, then to see if it fits their needs.
Nicole (08:14.272)
Yeah. And two, I probably just because sometimes too, like for me, get couples that are doing multiple tours a day. I just try and put everything in an email after just so then they're clear that, it was that one that said, well, how many people, whatever it is, um, I just definitely get an email because even they might have a chat and then you're on your third tour and it's just like, hang on, was that, I don't know, Palm Creek estate or was that?
Tiffany's or whatever it is, like can just get a bit confusing when you're trying to do back to back tours or something.
Lou (08:45.974)
Yeah.
Lou (08:50.564)
Absolutely. Oh cool. Thank you so much for those tips. That was really good. So the next part of our podcast is pop the question where I am going to ask you a mystery themed question coming out of my camera here. So I don't know what this question is. You don't know what the question is yet. So we're going to grab it out from here. I hope you're ready.
Nicole (09:12.842)
Thank
Nicole (09:17.504)
I'm ready.
Lou (09:18.851)
Okay, here we go. This is always fun. actually, this is perfect. If you had your wedding again, what would you do differently? my gosh.
Nicole (09:30.824)
I would get a planner, get a planner.
Lou (09:34.884)
A wedding planner. Okay, that's a good tip. And why is that? Why would you get a wedding planner?
Nicole (09:39.68)
I'll
They just know all the venues. know the ins and outs. For us, we got married here on the Sunshine Coast. Wouldn't change anything, but we lived in Brisbane. It was a destination wedding. We had 150 guests, so everyone was traveling. And yeah, I just wish I had a planner that was kind of with me from day one. So then, like anytime I'd email the venue, it was a different coordinator.
And then you're just like, do I still have my date? Like, I feel like, what is going on? But yeah, at least like a planner and then they're there with you on the day and they just, they'd feel like a sister. Like, that's what sometimes I feel like with my couples, like you're just part of the family for the day. And it's so, it's so special. Like we still, like you probably know, like we, we still talk to our wedding photographer that we had on our day. Like that is such a special, like just.
Lou (10:14.628)
Yes.
Yeah.
Lou (10:38.883)
Yeah.
Nicole (10:41.21)
really special people that were a part of such a special moment and you probably still get brides and grooms that do family photos after they get married or things. Yeah, they're so special.
Lou (10:50.816)
Yes, absolutely. Yeah, I love it. Yeah, I get some couples actually call me for like their, you know, first, fifth, 10th wedding anniversary to do a photo shoot and then I get to see their family grow as well, which I love.
Nicole (11:07.872)
Yeah, and I think like just, you know, don't go for just the cheapest option. Like these people are just a part of your day and they're so special. like, yeah, Amy, she's done my maternity photos, like, and it's just, you know, we're friends on Facebook, we still get memories and it's just really, they're a part of your family. just, yeah, it's really special.
Lou (11:20.706)
Aww.
Yeah, I love that. Okay, well, before we wrap up, I always love to give our listeners a couple of actionable steps or some tips that they can take away with them this week to help with their wedding planning. So as a wedding venue, what do you think our couple should do to help them plan their wedding with considering the hirer cost of a venue?
Nicole (11:53.729)
Yeah so probably before you go on any tours I would just know your guest number because there's no point going on a venue tour if you've only got 30 people and they've got a minimum spend of $50,000 or vice versa if you the venue only can hold 30 people and you've got 150 or whatever. I definitely know like your guest numbers have a rough idea on budget but that's probably going to be quite flexible as well.
and probably just choose a venue that you connect with as well and just feels like you guys and you could actually picture your day there. That's my actionable steps
Lou (12:31.446)
Yeah. lovely. I love that. They're great, great tips, very easy to implement and make sure that they're planning journey is really easy. So that's great. Thank you. Now, where can everyone find you on the socials?
Nicole (12:47.232)
Yeah so on Instagram we're just The Prideaux Estate with like hyphens in between. I got TikTok and I think I logged in yet but we're on there. think I got one or two but no, the The Prideaux Estate as well and Facebook as well.
Lou (12:56.116)
yeah, fantastic.
Lou (13:02.492)
Hahaha
Lou (13:09.547)
Fantastic. So Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, The Prideaux Estate.
Nicole (13:14.176)
It's The Prideaux Estate Thanks, Laurie.
Lou (13:16.534)
Fantastic. Okay, well that's it. That's it for today's Pop the Question. For more tips and inspirations, you can head on over to my website, imagesbylouobrien.com/pop_the_question You can find all of Nik's details there for The Prideaux Estate and all the show notes. So thank you so much, Nik, again, for joining me today. It's been a lot of fun.
Nicole (13:43.007)
Yeah, thanks so much. Thanks listeners. Bye.
Lou (13:46.082)
Bye! See ya!
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