Wedding venues are like any other wedding vendor. The more research you do, the better your experience will be. You can get ideas from funny wedding questions for guests and wedding blogs, but nothing can replace the in-person experience. So we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to choose your perfect wedding venue:
Determine your budget.
Budgeting is an important part of planning a wedding. It’s also something that can be tricky to figure out, especially if you haven’t done it before. You could look at the average cost of some things, like venue and food, but those numbers don’t tell you much about what your wedding will actually end up costing.
Luckily there are resources available to help you with budgeting:
- A wedding planner can help create a budget based on your priorities and preferences. They’ll work with you on every aspect of planning, from picking a venue to choosing invitations, so they know exactly how much each element costs so they can recommend options that fit within your budget.
- Wedding websites offer tips on how to save money without sacrificing quality or style (like searching for vendors willing to negotiate). They’ll also give advice about what needs special attention in order for the day-of logistics go smoothly (like choosing an experienced caterer).
Get Inspired.
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of potential venues, it’s time to start planning a trip.
When visiting a venue, take note of what really speaks to you. For example:
- Do you like the look of an outdoor wedding or would you prefer an indoor reception?
- Are your favorite colors blue and white or red and black?
- What style do you think suits you best, something elegant and formal or casual and fun?
- What kind of wedding do you want, small and intimate or large-scale with a big guest list?
Once these questions have been answered (and sometimes even before), it will be easier for us to help find a venue that fits both your budget and style preferences perfectly.
Select a Wedding Theme.
Select a Wedding Theme. Once you have decided on the venue, think about your wedding theme. What will it look like? How will it feel? Does it fit with your personality and style? You can choose any theme that you like, it’s completely up to you, but keep in mind that if you plan to have an outdoor reception, consider the time of year when choosing one so that there are no surprises (like rain). Also think about what type of food and drink may be served at the wedding (if any), as well as how this fits into the overall theme. For example, if serving alcohol at an outdoor reception makes sense for your guests and their comfort level with warm weather is favorable for drinking outdoors then this might be something worth considering when thinking about which venue would best suit your needs.
Read more: 6 REASONS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS GIVE JEWELRY AS A GIFT
Once you know what type of wedding theme works best for both parties involved then select a few venues within those themes that could potentially work best for hosting such an event; also remember not all venues will allow certain types of events so be sure check out their policies before making final decisions.
Venues That Aren’t Weddings by Day.
If you are on a budget, there are many venues that aren’t weddings by day. You can have your wedding at a ski resort or beach resort, or at the local museum. This can be a great way to save money since these locations are not usually available for weddings and therefore won’t cost as much.
Consider the Seasons.
With the weather comes seasonal changes. You want your wedding to be perfect, so you need to think about which season will work best for you and your guests.
- Winter weddings are beautiful, but they can be cold. If you’re considering a winter wedding, consider renting heated tents or having hot cocoa and coffee available at the reception.
- Summer weddings are fun, but they can also be hot. If you’re planning on getting married during the summer months, make sure that your venue has air conditioning (especially if it’s an outdoor venue). Also consider having a backup plan in case of rain, like having umbrellas ready or buying cover-ups, and keeping fans on hand just in case (you never know when someone might get too hot.).
- Fall weddings are great for outdoor venues because they don’t require much decorating (a few pumpkins here and there), and springtime is ideal for indoor locations since there’s not much foliage around yet (which means less hassle when trying to find decorations).
Venue Permits, Policies and Restrictions.
You should also check with your local government to make sure that the venue has all of the necessary permits and licenses. If they do not, or if the owner is unaware of any restrictions, it’s up to you to figure out what you need for your wedding.
- Do you need security?
- Do you need a fire marshal?
- Is there a caterer requirement?
Set the Tone: Indoor or Outdoor?
Your venue has to be the right size for your guest list, but it also needs to reflect what kind of wedding you want. Are you going for formal or laid-back? Formal weddings are usually held in indoor venues, while outdoor weddings tend to be more casual and relaxed.
Indoor venues are often pricier than outdoor ones because they require a lot more setup and cleanup work (and sometimes even staff). But if you’re looking for something elegant and refined, an indoor location might be right up your alley.
On the other hand, if your style is casual and unpretentious, or if money isn’t an issue, then an outdoor venue may be just what the doctor ordered. Outdoor locations can take on any number of different looks depending on where they are: from grand estates with manicured lawns to rustic barns surrounded by rolling hillsides. They can also feel intimate and cozy when decorated with flowers or fairy lights (as long as there’s enough space between tables).
Conclusion
Weddings are a huge event that require a lot of coordination, so it’s important to know how to find the right venue. By following these steps, we hope you’ll be able to find the perfect place for your big day.
