As someone who is planning to get married, it is easy to forget about the wedding venue.
After all, it is one of those optional things that you assume can be settled for later on, but in fact, it should be one of the first things you consider.
Almost every aspect of your wedding, from the lighting to the number of people you can invite, is tied up to your choice of venue.
Unless you live in a big city like New York or Washington, the problem is finding the perfect venue is never easy. If the venue is perfect, the price may be out of your budget.
However, compromises will always have to be made, but you don't want to compromise on what matters.
In this article, we'll look at how to choose a wedding venue but feel free to get creative if the situation calls for it!
Speak to Your Wedding Planner
Before you start searching for wedding venues, it is always good to speak with your wedding planner first. Wedding planners do this for a living, and so they are more familiar with the capabilities of various spaces, layouts, and locations.
So, if there is a quirk about the space that could make what you want very challenging, the wedding planner will point it out, which will save you loads of time and frustration.
Choose a Venue Based on Your Vision
You always want to choose a venue that will fit your aesthetic or the look that you have in mind. For instance, if you're going to plan a modern wedding, then consider art galleries, warehouses, or a well-designed restaurant maybe.
However, if you want something that incorporates nature or natural elements, then choose one of the many outdoor venues near you, like ranches, parks, and backyards.
How Long is Your Guest List?
We alluded to this earlier, but knowing how many people you will invite makes shortlisting a venue easier.
It will save you from ending up with a venue that's too small for your guest list. Many couples make the mistake of underestimating how many people will be at their wedding; that's why it is so important to have this conversation early on to avoid future headaches.
Know Your Budget
Now, this goes beyond just knowing how much renting the wedding venue is going to cost. You also need to factor in in-house catering, which is generally a per-plate charge. Then there are floral designs and décor, which will add to the cost of the venue.
You want to start with knowing your total budget and then what the design will cost you to execute. Now, if adding that on top of the cost of the space tends to take you over budget, then you either need to find another venue, i.e., one that's more affordable, or perhaps scale back your design. You might want to have a list of priorities, too, just so that when you need to scale things back to fit it within your budget, all the low priority stuff can be eliminated first.
Don't make the mistake of choosing your venue first and then realizing you need more money for all the other stuff. If anything, it could end up meaning that you are well beyond your budget, which then requires you to scale back other aspects of your wedding.
What is Included?
Now, if you are considering full-service venues and a place where you can bring your décor or vendors, you still need to price everything out. Consider what the venue will provide in terms of items, i.e., linens, chairs, tables, etc.
However, get an estimate from your local rental company to see how much of a price difference there is compared to the quality you're being offered.
Venue provided items are often more basic like banquet chairs, white linens, standard flatware, etc. So, if you pay more to rent the items, it could fit in better with your vision.
Start Early
Finally, never leave searching for a wedding venue for the last few weeks. You want to start as early as possible, then book as early as possible so that everything else can follow soon after. It goes without saying that the sooner you plan your wedding, the smoother everything is destined to move.
We also hope you enjoyed this article on how to choose a wedding venue. If you did, make sure to check out some of our recent blog posts below as well.
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