When deciding on your wedding venue it is important to consider your overall aesthetic. If you are having a modern wedding, consider a sleek and minimalistic space like a loft venue or art gallery.
You should also have a rough idea of how many people you plan on inviting before beginning your search. This will help you avoid potentially heartbreaking issues down the road, such as falling in love with a venue that cannot accommodate your guest count.
Your Budget
The budget for your big day will influence everything that comes after it including your venue choices. You’ll want to make sure the venue you choose fits within your overall wedding budget and this includes their fee structure and any other costs that may come up. It’s worth asking about what’s included and what isn’t as some venues have hidden fees.
Many couples want to book a venue that can seat their entire guest list so its important to ask about their capacity and whether they can accommodate your desired number of guests. Its also a good idea to view the venue when it’s set up for a wedding so that you can envision how your guests will be seated. Also, if you’re choosing to have a ceremony and reception at the same venue its worth considering travel time for out-of-town guests.
Some venues offer all-inclusive packages that include food, drink and rentals. They’re a great option if you’re looking to hit the easy button and save time on planning!
Guest Count
Having an idea of how many people you want to invite can help weed out venues that don’t meet your needs right away. You don’t want to book a space only to find out that it doesn’t have room for everyone you love!
Creating a mood board or wedding vision will also be useful when narrowing down your options. This way you can choose a venue that fits your overall aesthetic and feel of the day!
If your guests are traveling to your event, then ensuring that your venue is easily accessible is a must. From finding a parking lot that can accommodate everyone’s cars to checking in with hotels nearby to set up room blocks, making sure your friends and family can get to and from the venue without issue is crucial. Likewise, if your venue has onsite accommodation, this is an added benefit for out-of-town guests. This is especially true if you’re hosting an evening reception and they’ll be leaving at the end of the night.
Style and Aesthetic
If you’ve already created a vision of your wedding choosing a venue that aligns with the aesthetic and vibe is essential. If a fairytale style wedding is how you envisage your day then a castle, villa or country house might be more of a fit compared to a contemporary hotel ballroom.
Create a mood board to help you visualize your style, and use it as a guide when looking at venues on your shortlist. Seeing the spaces with tables, flowers, decor and lighting in place will give you a better idea of how they’ll look at your big day.
It’s important to think about your guests as well, and what their experience will be like on the day. For example, if your non-negotiable is having your favorite band play and dancing all night then make sure you check out what their policies are on music (some will allow for this, some may not). Also, consider the distance of the venue from hotels where out of town guests can stay.
Location
While it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning your wedding, it’s important to think with your head just as much as you do with your heart. After all, the venue you select will impact your guest count, your vendors and your overall budget. It will also affect the style and aesthetic of your big day, so it’s important to consider how each choice aligns with your vision.
Start by creating a mood board and seeking out venues that are in line with your desired look and feel. Visiting them in person will give you the chance to experience the space and ask specific questions.
It’s also worth assessing each venue’s flexibility on unique requests such as live music, fireworks and pets. You wouldn’t want to choose a venue that has strict rules against these!