Choosing the right venue for your Wedding
Choosing the right wedding venue for you and your partner can be challenging to say the least. Everyone is different and sometimes your own thoughts get altered by the opinions of those around you. With careful consideration of all the options available you can find the perfect venue to host your special day. Below are some tips to help push you in the right direction.
Determine your budget - Before you start looking at wedding venues it’s important to understand your budget. This can vary widely from person to person but it shouldn’t be ignored. Weddings can get expensive pretty quick so it’s good to talk with your partner early on to decide which aspects of your wedding you are comfortable with spending more on. Don’t forget about other expenses such as catering, bar services and decoration that are sometimes an additional expense.
Set your priorities - Make a list of your priorities such as location, size, features and ambiance. This will help you cross off the venues that don’t fill your particular needs.
Consider the location - Just as with real estate, location plays a big part when it comes to wedding venues. Choose a venue that is easily accessible to your guests (including those with disabilities). If you’re planning a destination wedding make sure the location has accommodations nearby.
Check availability - Check the availability of the venue and ensure that it's available on your desired wedding date. Nothing puts a downer on your planning more than doing weeks of research just to find out the date has already been taken by another couple. If you’re date isn’t set in stone, like the anniversary of your first date, it may be worth changing your date if the original is already booked.
Visit the venue - Don’t make decisions based solely on a website. Schedule a tour of the venue to see the space in person. This will give you a better idea of the layout and size as well as provide you a glimpse as to what your celebration could look like.
Ask questions - Ask lots of questions about the features they offer. Do they only work with specific caterers? Are you free to use any vendors you like? Which services are not included in the booking package? The more you understand, the better prepared you’ll be to bring your dream to life.
Consider the capacity - Venues come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure the venue you choose can accommodate the number of guests you plan to invite. If you need half your invites to rsvp that they can’t make it, you should probably look for another venue option.
Read reviews - Reviews from previous clients can be helpful to get an idea of how consistent people’s experiences have been. This will give you a better understanding of the venue's strengths and weaknesses.
In the end, choosing the best wedding venue is a personal choice. There are a lot of factors that can influence you or steer you in a certain direction. As long you keep your values, plan ahead and keep your budget in mind you should do just fine.
P.S. In case you didn’t already know, I have a ton of venue reviews posted here in the journal. If you’re in the early stages of seeing what’s out there you might find it helpful to see what these spots have to offer. Best of luck!