One of the major tasks of planning your wedding is selecting your venue. With so many factors to take into consideration, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to narrow in on what location will be the best fit. We’ve put together our best advice to help you accomplish this task with ease.
- Know your overall budget – It’s necessary to know this first so you can determine right away what you can afford. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue if it’s completely out of your price range.
- Determine your guest count – Knowing this number will automatically tell you which venues can or can not accommodate your wedding. Ask to see sample layouts from the venue, this gives you a better idea if things feel crowded or even possibly too empty for your estimated count.
- Decide on your wedding theme – Think through the theme and feel you’re going for. For example, if you want a light & airy, garden-inspired wedding, then you probably don’t want to have it in a banquet hall with no windows. Whether your theme is rustic, modern, or elegant think ahead if your desired venue compliments that look.
- Onsite Hotel? – Is it important that your venue has an onsite hotel or one nearby? Especially if you have a number of out of town guests, this can be an important factor for if a venue fits your needs. If there is not a hotel onsite be mindful that you may have to offer shuttle options for your guests which can be an additional cost.
- Be aware of rentals – Always ask the potential venues what is included in their rates, or if you are renting a space like a tent or
barn where you need to provide all of your items (ie. tables, chairs, linens, flatware, etc.). Rentals can add up quickly so be sure to know and research those extra costs before making your final decision on a venue.