Finding the perfect wedding venue can be one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your big day. Your venue sets the tone & style for your wedding and can influence many aspects of your planning.
With so many different venue options on the market, how do you narrow down your choices to find the venue that’s perfect for you?
Here are 5 Tips for Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue.
#1 Determine Your Wedding Budget
Before diving into setting up tours for potential venues, it’s important to have a clear understanding of how much you can afford or willing to spend on your venue and catering. These two expenses alone will take up a large amount of your wedding budget. Be realistic when setting your wedding budget. After doing some research of venues in your market, make a list of the venues that are within your budget and fits your wedding vibe & esthetic.
#2 Create Your Guest List
Creating your guest list is an important task to finding the perfect wedding venue. The number of guests you invite will also affect your venue choice. It’s important to find a venue that can comfortably accommodate all your family and friends, without the venue being too big or too small. You don’t want your guest to get lost in a huge space or feel cramped in a space too small. Having a guest count, even if it’s a rough count, will help you compare venues and negotiate pricing.
#3 Location, Location, Location
Another key factor in choosing your venue is the location. Think about where you want to get married. Do you want to say “I do” in your hometown? In the city or town where your currently live? Or a destination location that you’ve always wanted to visit?
Wherever you decide to say your nuptials, remember that the location will affect the travel time, convenience and may be more costly for you and your guest. Are hotels needed for you or for your guests? If so, remember to book these hotels sooner rather than later. Depending on the location & time of year, availability and price may vary.
#4 Select Your Preferred Wedding Dates
Yes, you read that right “Wedding Dates”. Before contacting any venues, you should have a few preferred dates that work for you. This will give you more flexibility and options when booking your venue. You may also want to consider getting married during wedding “off-season” or on a weekday.
Although this is not a popular option, it’s an option that can save you money since venues tend to charge more for peak times and weekends.
#5 Determine Your Wedding Style
We saved the best for last. Figuring out your wedding style & vibe is one of the most fun parts of wedding planning, right after the cake tasting of course. Your venue should reflect your personality as a couple and your vision for your big day.
If you’re uncertain about what your wedding vibe or style is, do your research and find out what speaks to you. Is it a rustic barn? A modern ballroom? Or does a tropical & relaxed beachside wedding speak to you?
#6 Bonus Tip
Once it’s time to start touring your selected venues, having a list of questions to have prepared to ask the venue on your walkthrough. Below you will find a few key questions that you can ask on your venue tour to make sure you are prepared to choose the best venue for your wedding.
- What is the maximum capacity of the venue?
- What is the rental fee for my date & what is included in that fee?
- What are the catering policies and pricing?
- What are the alcohol policies and pricing?
- What are the parking options for the venue?
- How many hours come with the venue rental?
- Is there a rain contingency plan?
- What are the restrictions/rules of the venue?
- What is the cancellation and refund policies?
If you are truly at a lost on where to start in the planning process, an experienced planner may be the perfect option for you. Planners are known for their amazing vendor recommendations and connections that they can share to help you in choosing your perfect venue. A good planner can also put together all your ideas and visions to help you navigate planning your big day.
Picking the perfect wedding venue can seem like an overwhelming task, however, having help and knowing where to look can make that decision an easy one to get crossed off your list I hope these tips are helpful to all of you beautiful, engaged couples. Happy Planning!
XOXO,
Alexis Austin