In today’s day and age, you can have a wedding just about anywhere. Whether your ceremony or reception is held in a backyard, at a church, or on a rooftop, it’s sure to be an unforgettable day filled with unbridled joy. If you’re struggling to choose a wedding venue that’s right for you and your partner’s big day, consider some of our tips for finding your dream venue:
What to Consider When Deciding on a Venue
1. START EARLY
Depending on the time of year, if your wedding date is during peak season (May through October), you should try to get a head start. Schedule site visits and book early. Planning and booking far in advance will give you the best available spots and vendors for a better price. Once all of the details are worked out, such as your budget, guest list, theme and vision, it’s best to get venue hunting right away.
2. FACTOR IN YOUR THEME AND PERSONALITY
Make sure you start hunting for a venue with a strong vision in mind about how you want the event to look and feel. Choose a color scheme and a design style, and then communicate this to your wedding planner or partner to help bring your dream wedding to fruition when visiting prospective venues
Narrowing down your search based on the theme of the event and the couple’s personality can streamline the planning process and alleviate some stress. If you want to have a black-tie event, it may be worthwhile to cut out casual options like a barn, beach, or park and opt for a nice hotel or banquet hall. On the other hand, if you’re more casual and looking to have a charming summer wedding, you could consider a vineyard or garden for your venue.
3. LOOK AT YOUR GUEST LIST
Having a clear idea about the number of guests attending your wedding is a crucial stepping stone when determining how they’ll fit in a space. Discussing the guest list in-depth with your partner, including potential plus-ones, children, and unexpected additions, is very important before deciding on a venue. Oftentimes, couples underestimate the number of people that will attend or how many distant relatives and family friends their parents will expect to be on the list. Remember as people RSVP, the guest count can fluctuate as you get closer to the wedding ceremony.
4. ASK ABOUT THE DETAILS
n order to ensure your day goes smoothly, you should talk to each venue about its amenities and additional resources. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you may be greeted with unexpected rain or inclement weather, so it’s beneficial to ask venues what backup plan options are available, such as a covered area or indoor availability. If your venue is going to be primarily outside, make sure you rent portable bathrooms or ask about different options in the nearby vicinity. You may need to take into consideration the overall accessibility of the venue and ensure there are features like ramps, wider entrances/exits, or functional elevators. Checking out the parking situation and transportation options to and from the venue is another important detail to go over to guarantee a stress-free wedding day.
5. DETERMINE THE PERFECT LOCATION
Couples planning for their wedding should also consider the proximity of the ceremony and reception to hotels nearby. It may be beautiful to have your wedding in the woods or countryside, but making sure that your guests have accommodations for the night, that they can get to safely, is also a top priority. Many people consider your wedding to be one of the most memorable days of your life. That being said, it’s important to make sure you’re spending it at a special destination. This may be the place where you met your spouse-to-be or somewhere that brings you comfort. You may also want to consider having an intimate destination wedding or elopement with stunning views. This way, you can go straight from your wedding to your honeymoon. If you are looking forward to a honeymoon full of unique experiences to kickstart your marriage, you can also consider a honeymoon registry.
6. BOOK BASED ON YOUR BUDGET
The details of your big day are an extremely crucial factor when discussing budget and vendors. Sometimes a venue may seem perfectly affordable and then you’re faced with extra charges for in-house services, like catering, extra tables and chairs, or a dance floor. Looking at the breakdown of what’s included with a venue and planning your budget accordingly can often save you a good amount of money.
Scaling back on your venue costs and choosing a more affordable option like a backyard, beach, or church can free up money for your life together as a married couple. Making a plan to discuss the tougher topics, like finances, before your wedding can help you have a more relaxing honeymoon, and make conversations about how much house you can afford or how to put away savings for future planning even easier.