7 Tips to Pick your Perfect Wedding Venue
Okay so hear me out. Maybe you’re in the midst of planning your wedding, which first of all… congrats! This is such a monumental moment in your life and every second of this process should be cherished. One of the many difficult decisions that you may have to face while planning your wedding is finding the “perfect” wedding venue. Now I say “perfect” because nothing ever is perfect, but we can sure get close to it. Over the years of speaking to brides, I have learned a thing or two when it comes to picking the perfect wedding venue for you. Through trial & error and seeing for myself what makes a good wedding venue, I have developed 7 tips to pick your perfect wedding venue.
1.) Budget, Budget, Budget: First and foremost, you want to make sure that your wedding venue fits within your budget. The last thing that you want is to have a wedding venue that you absolutely love but you’re worried about being able to afford it! You not only have to worry about renting the space for your wedding, but how much $$ are we talking to decorate it? This is one thing than many people tend to forget that can really rack up the price and bring you way over budget. If your wedding venue is the one thing that you value the most when it comes to the entire experience, put more money in your budget! If you want to prioritize other things, make sure you allocate the money appropriately!
Questions to ask yourself:
Is the venue you’re looking to book within your budget?
Will decorating your venue with florals & decor bring you way over budget?
Do you want to prioritize your venue over other expenses / vendors?
2.) Location of your Wedding Venue
Okay, now I know that this may seem like a no brainer but seriously… this is one of the ultimate deal breakers. The location of your wedding venue is crucial! Are you someone looking for a more private intimate setting for your wedding? Does your wedding venue provide you with something like that? Do they host multiple events or weddings in one day? Are you wanting your wedding at the beach, in a barn, in a fancy banquet hall? How far is the commute? These are all things you should be thinking of when you’re deciding on the perfect wedding venue for your special day.
Some questions to ask yourself are:
Does this wedding venue host multiple events or weddings in one day?
How private will my wedding be?
How far is the commute going to be?
3.) Do They Have Indoor/Outdoor Options?: One of the main concerns for ANYONE on their wedding day is the weather. Thanks to Mother Nature, weather is one of the many things that we can’t control. Since weather can be so incredibly unpredictable, it’s best to always have a backup plan when it comest to choosing your wedding venue. A lot of wedding venues will have indoor options if in the off chance that it does rain, so be on the lookout for that and what are the terms to making sure you keep that on lock!
Tip: Some wedding venues will offer a tent and siding to help protect you and your guests from the rain if your wedding is held outdoors. The main thing you have to remember is to ASK and make sure if this is an amenity that they provide.
4.) Choose A Wedding Venue That Aligns With Your Vision
For many of us, we’ve been planning our wedding for years. Making Pinterest mood boards and writing Future Mrs. in our notebooks. No? Just me? LOL. What I’m trying to say, is that for most of you planning your wedding you have a certain idea or “vision” that you’re looking to achieve.
Some questions you should probably ask yourself are:
Do I want something more bohemian & casual or romantic & elegant?
What features are MUST haves when it comes to the architecture of my wedding venue?
How do I want my wedding venue to make me feel?
All viable questions that many of you who are in the midst of planning your wedding should ask. The number one thing to remember is that whether you’re looking for a modern, elegant wedding or a more casual, urban type style wedding - make sure your wedding venue aligns with your specific vision.
Tip: Make a list of non-negotiable must haves for your wedding venue and STICK TO IT. This will help narrow down any venues that are no go’s.
5.) Don’t Forget About Your Guests!
Now at this point you may be thinking… guests? Who cares about the guests, it’s MY wedding! Right you are, it is your wedding but your wedding guest experience is JUST as important as yours. Your guests should be able to have a positive and uplifting experience at your wedding venue because not only they enjoy the venue, but they are enjoying celebrating you! Now I’m not saying they need to enjoy every aspect of your wedding venue of choice, but things to consider like max limit of people allowed to be in the space and how close are hotels/lodging for out of state guests play a huge role.
Things to keep in mind:
How many guests are attending my wedding?
What is the maximum capacity for this wedding venue?
If a lot of my wedding guests are from out of town, where is the closest hotel/lodge?
Will my guests be comfortable / is it accessible for everyone attending my wedding?
5.) What Type of Amenities Do They Have?
When looking for your perfect wedding venue, one of the many things that you have to ask yourself is “what amenities do they offer?”. You’re probably reading this like…. Hana… amenities? YES! You’d be surprised how many wedding venues I’ve come across where finding a bathroom is near impossible. That my friends, while seemingly basic, is an amenity. For example, if you’re planning on having your wedding venue at a beach or in a barn you may or may not need to be renting some portable toilets. I know, some great stuff we’re talking about here but incredibly important when we’re talking about the overall experience. Again, this all can tie into your budget as well! What about parking? How accessible is parking for you & your guests? These are things we need to think about when trying to pick the perfect wedding venue!
Questions to ask yourself:
Are there enough bathrooms for my guests? Will I need to rent portable restrooms?
Is there accessible parking?
Is there a dance floor provided by the venue? Will I need to build my own?
6.) Read The Reviews!
Reviews are there for a reason and that’s to help share other experiences! When you think you’ve found the wedding venue of your dreams, look at the reviews and see what other past attendees are saying. Keep in mind that reviews, while incredibly beneficial at times, should sometimes also be taken with a grain of salt. Take a look at the overall picture and see if there are major deal breakers for you. If so, NEXT!
7.) Remember… Stay True To You!
Last but certainly not least… stay true to you! Okay, I know it’s corny but I am out here speakin’ nothing but the truth! Despite all of the things that we’ve gone over here today in this blog, the number one thing that matters is that you are choosing a wedding venue that YOU LOVE. It’s so easy to get caught up in all of the outside opinions and if you’re a people pleaser, I know how difficult it can be. However, try and not let those outside opinions influence you too much when it comes to choosing your perfect wedding venue. At the end of the day, it’s your special day and no one can take that away from you. So go out and there and rock it and I can’t wait to see the magic that’s created.
Maybe big weddings aren’t you’re thing and you’re looking for something a bit more laid-back and relaxed. Well, I got you! For all of you wild at heart souls out there, I wrote a blog post all about some of my Top Airbnb’s to Elope!
Oh and if you’re ever in need of some photographer to tag along and maybe take some crazy epic photos of your special day… feel free to inquire and let me know your vision! My job is quite literally to make you look amazing, so if you’re in need I’ll do the deed!