To assist you in navigating this integral wedding-planning decision, we asked some wedding planners around the country and put together a list of the essential components to consider when choosing a wedding ceremony venue. They’ll assist you to formulate questions ahead of any tours-and a “must haves” checklist before you sign any contracts. It is all about making sure that the venue you choose ticks as many, if not, all the boxes on your list.
What is your budget?
Before you make any wedding ceremony venue decisions, you want to make a draft budget. Also, think about how important the venue is on your list of must haves. For some, this is the most important and they are willing to spend 50% or more of their budget in this area. For others, it’s in the middle and they want to give it a more modest portion of the pie. It would be a major setback if you sign a contract with a venue, whatever the worth, only to understand down the road that you don’t have any cash left for that DJ you’ve been coveting.
What is your guest count?
The wedding ceremony venue might be one of the earliest things you have to book (up to 1 year in advance or more if you have a popular date and location), so it’s crucial you have an idea of how many people you’ll be inviting. After all, you can’t squeeze 200 visitors into a space meant for 20! Many venues will let you know the minimum and maximum number of guests you’ll need to book.
Customize or All-Inclusive?
Also figure out if you’re an all-inclusive couple or on the lookout for a la carte options. Hands-on brides might prefer the flexibility to customize an à la carte venue, whereas an all-inclusive location can cut stress and save valuable time. By figuring out your preference before you start looking for a venue, it’ll help you find a way to really slender down your search. Our greatest advice is to confirm the big-picture pricing before you book a venue.
Do You and Your Partner Agree on the Type of Venue?
It’s best to tour a couple of wedding venues before making the decision. Focus on narrowing down your options together with your partner and, if desired, your families. Think about the pros and cons of all of the venues you toured, and work collectively to come to a final determination on your top choice. You may think that you’ve discovered the proper wedding ceremony venue for your special day, however, maybe your partner has some issues. While you and your partner might not agree on every facet of your wedding day, you must both be pleased with your selection of the venue. If it means touring a few more venues to make sure you’ve discovered “the one”, do it.
Write Down Must-Haves and Questions for the Venue.
Make sure you and your partner write down your must-haves for the wedding ceremony venue. After looking up venues online and setting up appointments, write down all the questions you may have (especially if you did not find the answer on their website). Letting the venue know what you want will help them know what kind of package or price list to show you.
Here are some things to consider when coming up with must haves and questions:
Do you want it indoor, outdoor, or a combination
Are there bride and groom’s suite to get ready in
Rainy day plan
Must you book all available services through the venue (ie. their catering, their musicians, servers, bartenders etc.)
What time can the party go until
Do you need permits for anything (ie. you want to park a food truck somewhere)
Final Thoughts
It’s ok to not know what you want at first, sometimes you just have to dive in. Going to see a venue first might help you narrow down what you want and don’t want. They will most likely ask you many questions as well and it can steer you towards what to think about before setting up more appointments. Remember at the end of the day it’s about you and your partner and how you both want to celebrate your love.
