Tips for Finding Your Dream Wedding Venue
When thinking about your wedding day, you have a certain image in your mind of what you desire it to look like. The venue space plays a big role in fulfilling that goal. Although the décor, family members, wedding dress, and spouse probably appear the most in those fantasies, there are many other details to consider. In this blog, I’ll help you get started. I am so excited for you to find your dream wedding venue!
START THE SEARCH EARLY
Venues can be booked 14 months and sometimes even 18 months before the wedding, so you’ll need to start the search a year or more beforehand. After the ring, it is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding, so book early! Check yes to your dream venue and check no to last-minute booking stress.
TALK TO A PLANNER
Planners are familiar with most of the venue spaces in and around the area, so they’ll have a lot of knowledge on important details like compacity, layout, pricing, and policies. Eliminate hours of research, calls, and incorrect quotes and talk to a planner. We’ll give it to you straight!
VENUE CAPACITY
Take into consideration the number of guests you’re interested in inviting and make sure the venue space can accommodate that amount. Check this detail first. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue location only to find out it won’t fit all your desired guests.
AESTHETIC OF VENUE
Thinking about the overall aesthetic of your venue is a great first step in deciding on one. Do you prefer modern or classic, gothic, or extravagant? Would you like an outdoor wedding with natural elements? Are you interested in a warehouse, or barn vibe? Perhaps a castle is more your style? There are many to choose from so don’t be shy and stay true to your vision.
NEARBY HOTELS FOR GUESTS
Some guests could be coming from out of town or guests that would prefer a shorter drive after the wedding. After all, weddings, although super fun can also make you sleepy. Consider a venue attached to a hotel or with one close by. Guests will need a nice place to return to, sleep, and recharge.
KEEP WITHIN YOUR BUDGET AND BE AWARE OF HIDDEN FEES
Booking the venue isn’t the final cost. There are often extra or hidden fees such as in-house catering that charge per plate, décor, and floral design. Categorize your budget so you can prioritize the most important vendors.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
You should feel excited. It should feel right. Your spouse and venue should feel like the one. If you can picture your entire wedding being held there with one walk-through, perhaps it’s the venue for you! If you feel uneasy, take time to explore other venues. Stay in tune with your first impression and feelings.
VISIT BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Once you have your list of possible venues, it is now time to visit! When visiting these venues, pay attention to every detail you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Is there plenty of parking, chairs that the venue can provide, proper outlets for sound systems, etc.? Can it host both your ceremony and reception if that’s what you desire? Lots of little details that are important for you to know. If the space cannot accommodate your needs, it may not be the one, so investigate other venues before you commit to one.
GET IDEAS FROM WEDDING BLOGS
I love Google as much as the next event creator for research but with social media apps like Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter, you have access to endless links leading you to wedding blogs with the juiciest details on wedding venues. These blogs not only provide inspiration for wedding venue styles, but they also provide information on the good, the bad, and the DO NOT ENTER.
RAIN PLAN
If you’re planning to have an outdoor wedding, make sure that the venue also has an indoor backup plan in case of rain. This space needs to be able to accommodate all your guests as well as fit your needs.
BE FLEXIBLE
Often what we plan in our heads doesn’t always exist but that doesn’t mean that perfection cannot be reached. When deciding on a venue, it’s okay if the space doesn’t match every idea you have, as long as the pros far overweigh the cons. A pinch of flexibility and a dash of creativity can make your venue space so dreamy.
MULTIPLE PHOTO LOCATIONS
We cannot forget about the picture potential! Your venue having multiple picturesque spots for your wedding photos is vital. You want to have fun with the pictures so multiple locations are important.
ALCOHOL POLICY
Guests love an open bar so knowing a venue's alcohol policy is important. Will the venue insist on locking you into their alcohol plan or is it a BYOB situation? Depending on what you prefer, this will be important. Also, inquire about how the alcohol will be managed and served.
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
A great question to ask when searching for a venue space is, what is included? Some venues offer full service while others require you to bring in your vendors and décor. If you have a specific budget in mind, this is the knowledge you’ll need to have.
CHECK YOUR CREATIVE FREEDOM
If you want a venue that will do it all for you, great! That’s a wonderful package but if you have a certain vision in mind that the venue cannot meet, then they’ll need to be okay with you or your planner taking the necessary creative steps.
The tips in this blog will be plenty helpful but with wedding planning, there are always a few more. At Exclusive Planning and Management, I can guide you through the entire process of finding your dream venue plus much more. You have been thinking about this day your entire life so let's make it magical!
Interested in looking further into how we can help with your wedding planning? Send us an email to see how we can help make your dream day come to life!