A hotel wedding is a popular choice, combining the celebration and accommodation for guests in one location. However, the cost of such an event varies so widely that without understanding the pricing structure, it is easy to miscalculate the budget by tens or even hundreds of thousands of rubles. The actual price of renting a hotel depends on many factors: the class of the establishment, the number of guests, the season, and the day of the week.
Basic Structure of Hotel Wedding Costs
It is important to understand: you are not just renting a space. A wedding package usually includes a set of services, each of which affects the final amount. The main components:
- Banquet hall rental: from 30,000 to 500,000 rubles depending on the hotel's level
- Banquet menu: cost per guest from 2,000 to 15,000 rubles
- Alcoholic beverages: 1,500-8,000 rubles per person
- Hall decoration: 50,000-300,000 rubles
- Hotel coordinator: often included, sometimes 30,000-80,000 rubles separately
- Technical equipment: sound, lighting, projector — 20,000-100,000 rubles
Price Ranges by Hotel Category
3-Star Hotels: Budget Option
Average cost of a wedding for 50 guests: 250,000-400,000 rubles
Included in the price:
- Hall rental: usually free when ordering a banquet
- Banquet: 2,000-3,500 rubles/person
- Basic alcohol: 1,500-2,500 rubles/person
- Simple hall decoration: 30,000-60,000 rubles
- Standard sound equipment
Pros: affordable price, possibility of reasonably priced guest accommodation, suitable for intimate celebrations.
Cons: limited menu options, basic service, less prestigious location.
4-Star Hotels: Optimal Choice
Average cost of a wedding for 50 guests: 450,000-800,000 rubles
Included in the price:
- Hall rental: 50,000-150,000 rubles (may be included in the banquet)
- Banquet: 3,500-6,000 rubles/person
- Expanded alcohol selection: 2,500-4,000 rubles/person
- Professional decoration: 80,000-150,000 rubles
- Event coordinator
- High-quality technical equipment
Pros: good quality food and service, variety of halls, convenient infrastructure for guests.
Cons: high competition for dates during the season, need for early booking.
5-Star and Boutique Hotels: Premium Segment
Average cost of a wedding for 50 guests: 900,000-2,500,000+ rubles
Included in the price:
- Hall rental: 150,000-500,000 rubles
- Premium banquet: 6,000-15,000 rubles/person
- Premium alcohol: 4,000-8,000 rubles/person
- Exclusive decoration: 200,000-500,000 rubles
- Personal wedding manager
- Professional light show, special effects
- Additional services: valet parking, concierge services
Pros: impeccable service, exquisite cuisine, prestigious location, full support throughout the event.
Cons: very high cost, strict hotel rules, minimal guarantees for guest numbers.
Factors Affecting Cost
Number of Guests
This is the main cost-driving factor. Most hotels set a minimum guaranteed number of guests — usually from 30 to 100 people depending on hall size.
Approximate calculation by number of guests (4-star hotel):
- 30 guests: 300,000-450,000 rubles
- 50 guests: 450,000-800,000 rubles
- 100 guests: 800,000-1,500,000 rubles
- 150 guests: 1,200,000-2,200,000 rubles
- 200+ guests: from 1,500,000 rubles
With fewer guests, the cost per person increases due to the need to cover fixed hotel expenses.
Season and Day of the Week
The wedding industry has a pronounced seasonality:
High season (May-September, especially Saturdays):
- Maximum prices
- Booking 8-12 months in advance is required
- Minimal flexibility in negotiations
- Hotels may set a minimum spend of 1-2 million rubles
Low season (November-April, weekdays):
- Discounts up to 20-30% off base rates
- Booking possible 2-3 months in advance
- Room for price negotiation
- More attention from staff (fewer simultaneous events)
Friday and Sunday are usually 15-25% cheaper than Saturday.
Region
Geographical location significantly affects the price:
- Moscow: highest prices, banquet in an average hotel from 5,000 rubles/person
- St. Petersburg: 10-20% cheaper than Moscow, from 4,000 rubles/person
- Regional centers: Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Krasnodar — from 3,000 rubles/person
- Small towns: from 2,000 rubles/person, but limited options
Hotel Location
Within the same city, prices vary:
- Historic center: +20-40% to the cost
- Scenic natural area: +15-30%
- Business district: standard prices
- Remote areas: -10-20%, but guest transfer costs
Hidden Costs and Additional Payments
What is often NOT included in the base price
Many couples are surprised to find additional bills after the event. Typical hidden costs:
- Service fee: 10-20% of the total banquet amount
- Cake: 300-800 rubles per portion, may be a separate item
- Tea/coffee station: 15,000-40,000 rubles
- Children’s menu: 1,000-2,500 rubles per child
- Guest parking: may be paid separately
- Cloakroom: sometimes paid separately
- Overtime staff: if the banquet runs long
- Post-event cleaning: 10,000-30,000 rubles
Restrictions Leading to Extra Costs
Hotels often have rules that, if violated, result in fines:
- Outside alcohol prohibited: purchasing alcohol from the hotel adds 150-300% markup
- Only approved decor suppliers: limits choice and increases prices
- Time limit: extending the banquet costs 20,000-50,000 rubles per hour
- Minimum order amount: if not met, you pay the difference
What is Included in Different Wedding Packages
Basic Package (usually minimum price)
- Hall rental for 6-8 hours
- Standard banquet menu
- Textiles (tablecloths, napkins)
- Basic table setting
- Sound equipment
- Manager assistance in organizing
Standard Package
- Everything from the basic package
- Expanded menu with dish selection
- Alcoholic beverages (limited selection)
- Simple decoration (floral arrangements on tables)
- Wedding cake
- Projector and screen
- Bridal suite for the night
Premium Package
- Everything from the standard package
- Custom menu by the chef
- Unlimited premium alcohol
- Exclusive decoration according to design project
- Lighting and special effects
- Personal coordinator for the whole day
- Luxury suite for newlyweds + rooms for parents
- Welcome area for guests
- Pre-banquet cocktail reception
How to Save on Hotel Wedding Costs
Choose unpopular dates
Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday saves 15-25%. A winter wedding can be 30% cheaper than a summer wedding with the same service quality.
Book in advance
Most hotels offer early booking discounts — up to 15% when reserved a year in advance. You also get a wider choice of dates and halls.
Negotiate the package
Everything is negotiable. Ask about the possibility to:
- Remove unnecessary items from the package (e.g., hotel coordinator if you have your own)
- Replace expensive menu items with simpler options
- Use your own contractors for decor and photography
- Get a discount when booking a block of guest rooms
Intimate wedding
A celebration with 30-40 people instead of 100 reduces the budget 2-3 times. A small hotel hall can create an intimate atmosphere for an elegant dinner.
Skip the hotel alcohol package
If the hotel allows bringing your own alcohol (check in advance!), you can save 40-60%. Corkage is usually 300-500 rubles per bottle, which is still cheaper than buying from the hotel.
Minimal decoration
Floral and decor expenses are one of the most flexible cost items. Focusing on a few large arrangements instead of elaborate decoration for every element can save up to 100,000 rubles.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
- What exactly is included in the hall and banquet price?
- Is there a minimum guaranteed amount or number of guests?
- What additional charges may arise?
- Can I use my own contractors (decorator, photographer, host)?
- Is outside alcohol allowed? If yes, what is the corkage fee?
- How much time is provided for setup and cleanup?
- Are there discounts for booking guest rooms?
- What are the cancellation or rescheduling policies?
- Is menu tasting available before the event?
- Is there a backup plan for bad weather (for outdoor ceremonies)?
Comparison: Hotel vs. Other Venues
Hotel vs. Restaurant
The hotel is 20-40% more expensive but offers comprehensive service: guest accommodation, a wide choice of halls, the possibility to organize the entire event in one place, including the morning ceremony.
Hotel vs. Country Estate
Country venues are 10-25% cheaper than city hotels of a similar class. But you need to consider guest transfer costs, potential weather issues, and distance from the city.
Hotel vs. Banquet Hall
Specialized banquet halls are 30-50% cheaper but do not provide accommodation and often have limited infrastructure.
Final Checklist: What the Budget Consists Of
For a wedding with 50 guests in a 4-star hotel (example calculation):
- Hall rental: 100,000 rubles
- Banquet (50 guests × 5,000): 250,000 rubles
- Alcohol (50 guests × 3,000): 150,000 rubles
- Decor and floristry: 100,000 rubles
- Wedding cake: 25,000 rubles
- Technical equipment: 40,000 rubles
- Coordinator: 50,000 rubles
- Service fee (15%): 107,000 rubles
- Bridal suite: 15,000 rubles
Total: 837,000 rubles
Additionally, you may need invitations, photographer, videographer, host, musicians — these are outside the hotel's services.
Conclusion
Renting a hotel for a wedding is an investment in comfort, service, and memories. Costs range from 250,000 rubles for a modest celebration in a 3-star hotel to several million for a luxurious event in a premium venue. The key to proper budgeting is understanding all cost components, negotiating wisely with the hotel, and being ready to compromise.
Plan your budget with a 15-20% buffer for unforeseen expenses. Read the contract carefully, ask questions, and do not hesitate to discuss prices. In the end, a hotel wedding can be the perfect solution, combining beauty, convenience, and unforgettable experiences for you and your guests.
