When you’re planning a wedding in Indianapolis, the last thing you want is to be surprised by extra hidden venue costs you didn’t budget for. Unfortunately, many venues slip in hidden fees or complicated add-ons that can make your “affordable” wedding suddenly feel overwhelming. At Radius, we do things differently. Our pricing is clear, our add-ons are straightforward, and there are no hidden surprises waiting for you. With years of experience in the event industry, we know the most common ways couples get tripped up — and how to avoid them.
1. Service Fees
Many venues tack on service fees of 20–25%, often without couples realizing what it’s for. Always ask venues to disclose this up front, and explain what this covers. At Radius, we happily disclose that our service fee covers venue operating costs associated with each event such as insurance, softwares, and delivery fees.
2. Required Gratuity & Tipping
Some venues or caterers include automatic gratuities in their contracts, while others allow you to tip staff separately from your bill. If gratuity is included, that means tipping your event staff has already been taken care of, so you don’t have to tip anything additional on your event day — unless you want to, of course!
3. Table and Chair Rentals
Not all venues provide the basics like tables and chairs. Couples often discover late in the process that they’ll need to rent additional seating, linens, or upgraded furniture to fit their guest count. These costs can add up quickly, especially for larger weddings. At Radius, we include all of the furnishings you need to host a seamless event.
4. Catering Minimums
A catering minimum means you’re required to spend a certain amount in food and beverage — regardless of your guest list size or menu choices. If you fall short, you’ll still pay the difference. Minimums can also change based on your event date; for example, if your event is on New Year’s Eve, your caterer may have a higher minimum for this peak date than a non-holiday weekend. The minimum spend should be outline in your contract, but it’s always helpful to talk through this.
5. Setup and Tear-Down Charges
Some venues charge extra for staff to set up and tear down your event. That might include moving furniture, flipping the room, or cleaning after your event. While these tasks seem basic, they can result in unexpected costs if they aren’t included in your initial rental. At Radius, setup and teardown is included in your venue rental.
6. Ceremony Fee
Many couples assume the ceremony is automatically included in their venue rental, but that’s not always the case. Some venues charge an additional fee to host your ceremony on-site, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. This cost may cover extra time, staff, or setup — but it can still catch couples off guard. Your venue rental at Radius is the same regardless of whether you host your ceremony onsite or off.
7. Overtime Charges
If your party runs over your allotted rental time, or vendors are late to return and pick up their rentals, some venues will hit you with steep overtime charges. These fees can escalate quickly if you’re not watching the clock. Always ask what’s included in your rental hours and what happens if you go over.
Why Radius Is Different
At Radius, you don’t have to worry about hidden venue costs creeping into your budget. We believe in transparent pricing, easy add-ons, and no surprise fees — ever. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or milestone celebration, our team works with you to create an incredible event without nickel-and-diming you along the way.
Ready to see how stress-free planning can be? Contact Radius today to schedule a tour and discover Indy’s newest wedding and event venue.
