9 TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE
One of the biggest decisions you will make when planning your wedding is finding a location. Where do you want to get married? In your hometown? On a remote island? In your backyard? At a swanky hotel? The options are endless.
The venue you choose will set the tone for the entire day. It lets your guests know what kind of experience they can expect, what they should potentially wear, what hotels and activities are nearby, and so much more. Finding the right venue takes time and patience, and there are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the perfect venue to host your wedding celebration.
Choosing a venue is also one of the first things you will need to do before you can start planning any of the other details (including the dress)! It’s important to begin that process early. Once you are ready to start planning begin researching potential venues and make a list of the ones you really like and may want to visit in person or contact for pricing and availability.
Below are 7 tips designed to help identify your perfect venue including what to look for and important questions to ask!
1. Availability. Venues are often booked a year in advance so the sooner you can start this process the better your chances are in locking in your first choice. It’s important to ask if the venue has your date available or what dates they have that fall within the timeframe you would like the wedding to take place. If the date you were hoping for is not available ask for alternate dates and be as open minded and as flexible as possible.
2. Type. Consider the type of venue you want for your wedding day. Many couples choose one venue for both the ceremony and reception. However, if you have your heart set on a beach ceremony, you will need a second location for your reception. This requires a bit more time and research in order to find two suitable locations to host your group and a little more coordination on the wedding day. There are many different types of venues to choose from. Think about things like indoor vs. outdoor weddings, private estates, ranches, wineries, hotels, parks and figure out what makes sense for you.
3. Size. It seems obvious but making sure your venue can accommodate your guest count is an important factor. You don’t want a venue that is too small or too large. Ask each venue what their capacity is to be sure you have enough space for everyone. It’s also important to look at different areas within the venue to determine where events will take place. Sometimes the ceremony and reception are in two different locations. Look at the distances between each area and how far guests will need to walk from one area to the next.
4. Style. Finding a venue that has the style you envison is also a big factor. When you think about your wedding day, what comes to mind? Are you planning a formal gathering in a hotel ballroom or country club or maybe a something more rustic at an outdoor ranch or vineyard. Ultimately your venue should reflect the kind of wedding you want to have and also a little bit of your personality too. What are your hobbies and interests? Do you love the beach? Do you go wine tasting? Are you golf enthuiasts? Your venue should feel like an extension of you and your partner.
5. Cost. Depending what the venue includes, the rental charges could be close to 15-20% of your budget. Some venues are a blank slate, only providing the bare minimum - a space for the wedding to take place. If you want something more inclusive that provides rentals such as chairs, tables, built-in bar, room to get ready in, outdoor lighting, or onsite catering, the cost will most likely increase.
6. Parking. Depending on the location, your venue may or may not provide guest parking. In some cases transportation like shuttle services will be necessary to get people from point A to point B and also return them back to point A at the end of the night. You will want to check with the venue how many parking spaces they provide or consider ride share options such as Uber and have a designated drop off area. Valet services to assist with parking and directing traffic can also be a good alternative.
7. Backup. Always check with the venue on backup plans in case of bad weather especially for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions. Ask the venue what they suggest or what other people have done in the past and have a plan in place for the wedding day that everyone understands and agrees to. This may require reserving a separate area at the venue or adding tents to your rental order if it looks like rain might be in the forecast.
8. Curfew. How late can you stay at the venue? What time does music need to end? What time to guests and vendors need to be out? These are also things to ask when conducting interviews with potential venues. Find out what the curfew is ahead of time and make sure you are ok with the timeframe before you book. These are rules the venue has for a reason and most likely can’t be changed.
9. Instincts. Finding the pefect wedding venue is often like finding the perfect wedding dress or finding the right partner to share your life with. When you know, you know. You will get a feeling if a venue is right for you or not. Listen to your gut and trust your instincts, always!
Photos: Lucia Kiel Portraits
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