Shepherd's Hollow Wedding Cost

Jennifer Segal

28 Nov, 2023

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful trying to decide where to host your big day and determine your budget. One popular option in my area is Shepherd's Hollow, a beautiful venue located just outside of town. In this article, I'll break down the typical costs for a wedding at Shepherd's Hollow to help you get a sense of what to budget for your special day.

Venue Rental Fees

The venue rental fee at Shepherd's Hollow will be one of your biggest expenses. This fee covers your access to the entire property for your wedding day, including the ceremony lawn, reception barn, and outdoor spaces. Venue rental rates vary depending on the day of the week and time of year:

Friday-Sunday wedding (May-October): $5,000 venue rental fee
Friday-Sunday wedding (November-April): $4,000 venue rental fee
Thursday or weekday wedding (May-October): $3,500 venue rental fee
Thursday or weekday wedding (November-April): $3,000 venue rental fee

Keep in mind those rates do not include any additional costs like food and beverage, rentals, vendors, etc. The venue requires a minimum catering purchase of $18 per person as well.

Food and Beverage Minimums

When booking your wedding at Shepherd's Hollow, you'll need to meet a minimum spend for food and beverages. This minimum varies depending on the size of your guest list:

1-100 guests: $6,000 minimum spend
101-150 guests: $8,000 minimum spend
151-200 guests: $10,000 minimum spend
201+ guests: $12,000 minimum spend

The venue offers a variety of catering packages you can choose from to meet that minimum. Expect to pay around $100-$120 per person for a plated dinner reception. A buffet or cocktail hour food stations would be less expensive at around $75-$90 per person.

Alcohol and Bar Services

In addition to your food and beverage minimum, there will be costs for alcohol. Shepherd's Hollow has a full bar service and allows you to choose from different alcohol package options:

Beer and wine only package: Add $30 per guest
Call liquor package: Add $40 per guest
Premium liquor package: Add $50 per guest

Without a bar package, individual drinks can range from $7-12 each depending on what is ordered. The bar tab is in addition to your food and beverage minimum spend.

Rental Fees and Amenities

While the venue does supply certain amenities like wooden Chiavari chairs and 5' round banquet tables seating 8-10 guests, there will be additional rental fees if you need to add more.

Chiavari chair rental: $5 per chair (if more than 200 are needed)
5' round table rental: $15 per table (if more than 25 are needed)
Dance floor rental: $500
Tent rental for outdoor ceremony: $1,000
Heating/AC for barn: $500

Other rentals to factor in could include linens, dinnerware, lighting/décor, specialty rentals like a photo booth, etc. Expect to pay 10-20% more than standard rental rates to have items delivered and picked up from the venue.

Staffing Fees

Certain staff are required to be hired through Shepherd's Hollow for your event:

Event manager: $500 (8 hour minimum)
Bartenders: $150 each (2-3 required based on guest count)
Security: $150 (required for events with alcohol)
Coordinator for rehearsal dinner: $200

Additional vendors you'll need to hire and pay separate from the venue include your officiant, photographer, videographer, DJ/band, florist, bakery, etc. Make sure to get quotes!

Damage Deposit and Service Charge

When booking your wedding, the following additional fees will be charged:

Damage deposit (refundable): $1,000
5% service charge on food/beverage/rentals: 5% of subtotal

The service charge is the venue's version of a gratuity that goes towards things like cleanup, setup, maintenance of the property, etc. The damage deposit is fully refundable after your event as long as there is no excessive damage.

Estimated Total Wedding Cost

To get an estimated total cost, here is a hypothetical 150 guest wedding budget breakdown as an example:

Venue rental fee (Saturday, May-Oct): $5,000
Food & beverage minimum for 150 guests: $8,000
Call liquor package at $40/head for 150: $6,000
Basic rental needs (tables, chairs, dance floor): $3,000
Required staffing costs: $1,500
Damage deposit and 5% service charge: $1,500

Total for venue costs: $25,000

Add in approximates for other vendors:

Photographer: $4,000
Videographer: $2,500
Florist: $3,000
DJ/Band: $2,000
Attire: $2,000
Invitations: $1,000

Grand total estimate: $40,000

Tips for Saving

While weddings at Shepherd's Hollow do carry higher costs than some other venues, there are still ways to save on certain items:

Book for Thursday/weekday or off-season for lower venue rental fee
Opt for beer/wine only or cash bar to cut liquor package costs
Provide your own rental items if possible
Negotiate vendor rates and look for package deals
DIY decor elements and day-of coordination
prioritize your biggest expenses first

With some creative cost-cutting, you can still have your dream wedding at Shepherd's Hollow even on a tighter budget.

Alternative Venues

Here are some alternative venue options to Shepherd's Hollow in the local area:

Green Meadows Farm

Green Meadows Farm is a popular alternate venue to Shepherd's Hollow. Venue rental rates are slightly lower starting at $3,500 for a weekend wedding. Food and beverage minimums range from $5,000-$8,000 depending on guest count. Amenities include an indoor barn space, outdoor ceremony areas, and on-site lodging options. Overall costs are comparable but vendor rates may be a bit cheaper.

Stone Ridge Estate

For a more upscale option, Stone Ridge Estate offers luxurious ballroom and garden spaces for weddings. Rental fees start at $7,000 for weekends but include top-of-the-line amenities and furnishings. Food is pricier at around $150/head minimum but the quality and service is excellent. They require a higher $15,000 food and beverage minimum. Total costs will be higher here but it's a beautiful venue for an extra special event.

Town Park Pavilion

Looking to save significantly on venue costs? The pavilion at Town Park is a budget-friendly option at just $750 to rent. There is ample outdoor space, a large covered area, and playground nearby for kids. No other fees to the venue. You will need to rent all furnishings and hire outside catering and vendors. Total costs could easily be half as much here if you opt for food truck catering and DIY decor.

Historic Property Rental

For a one-of-a-kind venue, consider renting a historic property like the Johnson Estate or Turner Farmhouse. Rental rates vary widely from $2,000-$5,000 depending on amenities. You'd have full use of the unique property but would need to rent everything else and do much more setup/tear down. Costs are mid-range but it offers a very unique experience.

I hope this article helps as you weigh options and determine your wedding budget.