Choosing the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your big day. It will influence everything else from your guests’ experience to your wedding photos.
Start your search by deciding on your wedding style and aesthetic. This will help you narrow down your options and find the right fit for you and your partner.
1. Look at the Space
Your wedding venue will be the backdrop to your entire day and will set the tone for everything from your ceremony to your reception. For this reason, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for before beginning your search. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate woodland ceremony or a party-filled night in a modern city warehouse, a solid vision will help narrow down your options and make the decision process easier.
If possible, try to visit venues that are on your shortlist in person before you make a final decision. You can get a much more accurate sense of how they’ll look on your big day by seeing the space in person, and you may be able to get some helpful tips from the staff about how best to decorate it. If you’re able, ask if the venue has pictures from previous weddings that you can look at or if they’ll let you come see it an hour or so before someone else gets married—this is the best way to see the space as it will actually be on your special day.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing your wedding venue is its capacity. Make sure that the venue can fit your anticipated guest count, and be sure to include people who are attending both the ceremony and the reception in your calculation.
If you’re planning an outdoor event, ask the venue about weather conditions and their backup plan. You’ll want to know if they can offer an indoor option if the forecast calls for rain, and you should also make sure that guests can travel between your ceremony and reception locations without having to walk too far.
2. Look at the Amenities
Before you settle on a wedding venue, make sure it has all the amenities you want. This can include things like the ability to use your own vendors, in-house catering options, dance floors, and audiovisual equipment. This can save you a lot of money, as well as reduce the stress of planning your big day.
Another important amenity to consider is the parking and accessibility. You want to make sure that your guests will be able to get in and out of the venue without any problems, especially if they have children with them. If you are hosting a large wedding, it is also important to ensure that there is enough space for everyone to park their cars and have a safe walk from the car to the reception.
In addition to these amenities, you should also make sure that the venue has what you need for your ceremony and reception. This includes things like tables and chairs, as well as an adequate amount of bathrooms. Finally, it is also a good idea to look at what the venue has available for catering and beverages. Many venues will provide these for you, but others may not. Be sure to find out ahead of time what the availability is for these items, as this can affect your budget.
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential venues, take a step back and see which one feels right to you. It is important to choose a place that fits your vision and personality, as this will be a huge influence on the rest of your wedding day. Once you have a venue that you love, the rest of the details will fall into place.
3. Look at the Price
The first step is to look at wedding venues online and figure out which ones are within your budget. This is a great way to start the process and also get an idea of how many guests you can invite, as some venues have a firm limit on their capacity. It’s a good idea to come up with a guest list with your partner and family so you can narrow down your options quickly.
It’s important to visit a few select venues in person before making any final decisions. This will give you a feel for the space and if it’s truly the perfect fit for your day. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have and see if there is anything that would deter you from choosing the venue. While visiting multiple locations might take up some of your precious wedding planning time, it’s a worthwhile investment in order to find the best wedding venue for you and your partner.
Another thing to consider is whether or not the venue has a preferred vendor list and if you can use your own vendors or if they’ll have to be approved by the venue. You should also ask the venue if they have any other restrictions or limitations when it comes to using outside vendors.
It’s also important to think about the guest experience from the moment they arrive at the venue to when they leave at the end of the night. Consider how far the venue is from hotels and other accommodations for out-of-town guests, and if they will be able to navigate the area easily. Also, make sure the venue has enough parking spaces for everyone who is attending.
4. Look at the Reputation
Choosing a venue is an important decision, and couples want to feel confident they’ve made the right choice. If a venue isn’t known for its customer service, it might not be the best fit for them. In addition to offering great service, a venue should also be willing to go the extra mile to help their couples get the wedding they’ve always dreamed of. This could mean creating a custom package, offering discounted or free upgrades, or providing recommendations for nearby hotels and inns that can host out-of-town guests.
A great way to show a couple what their dream wedding might look like at your venue is by sharing real weddings that have taken place there. This will help them visualize their day and give them confidence that they’ll be able to pull off the look they’re going for. It’s also a good idea to provide links to photographers who have shot at the venue so that planning couples can see examples of their work.
You should also make sure that your venue is on social media, and is active on blogs that share planning tips and other resources for couples. This will allow you to reach a wider audience and attract more prospective brides. Lastly, it’s important to read reviews from past couples so that you can get an idea of what their experience was like with the venue.
Once you’ve done some searching and found a few venues that meet your criteria, it comes down to a good old-fashioned gut check. Whichever one makes you feel most excited and energized is probably the best fit for your big day. After all, that’s what weddings are all about!
5. Look at the Reviews
It is important to look at online reviews of your prospective wedding venues before deciding to visit them. This will give you a good idea of what other couples thought about the venue and whether it was a good fit for them. It will also help you narrow down your choices if there are multiple venues that meet the criteria.
It’s a good idea to have a rough guest list ready before you start looking at venues, so that you don’t fall in love with one that is too small for your needs. It’s also important to know how many people they can accommodate in the evening if you’re planning a separate reception. Many venues will post their capacity on their website, so you can immediately filter out those that won’t be able to accommodate your needs before you even step foot in the door.
If you’re planning a destination wedding, it’s essential to take travel time into consideration as well. Will your guests be able to get to the venue easily, and will there be hotels nearby for out-of-town guests? How about parking? And lastly, how many bathrooms will be available for your guests? You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where everyone has to wait around for an eternity while trying to use the restroom.
Once you’ve taken into account all of these things, it’s time to begin your search for the perfect wedding venue. Choosing the right location can make or break your big day, so don’t rush it! Keep these tips and ideas in mind, and you’re sure to find the perfect place for your special day. Good luck!