How did you go about finding a wedding venue? Or are you currently on the hunt? Share you thoughts in the comments below.
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Did you recently attend a wedding
and reveled in amazement at the spectacle of their reception and venue? That's
great but keep in mind that what works for one couple might not be the best for
you.
You'll need to consider several
factors when picking wedding locations.
The good news is we're here to
help. Learn more about finding a location for wedding receptions and ceremonies
with our guide below:
1. Discuss With Your Wedding
Planner
Before you visit places, before
you even look any venue up online, discuss things with your wedding planner —
if you have one. Not every couple hires one but if you do, take advantage of
their knowledge and experience.
Planners already have a knack for
understanding how to work a venue. Let them know what you aim to achieve and
they can quickly figure out whether or not the venues you'll end up listing
work for or against these goals.
Your planner might already have a
list of great Wedinspire venues prepared, places they already rented
for other couples. Take some time to go over their usual venues and check if
any of them satisfy your needs.
2. Know the Date
This is perhaps one of the most
crucial steps when picking a venue. Finalize the date of your wedding.
Availability is going to affect
the price of the venue, after all. You can expect higher fees if you aim to
rent the venue during the summer and on the weekends. You can expect lower
prices during non-peak seasons.
The date will also help guests
determine whether or not they can attend. This comes into play later on and
we'll discuss that too.
3. Stick to a Budget
You should also finalize your
budget. Doing this ensures you won't list down venues that are outside your
financial scope. Yes, it also means you might have to scratch off some places
you initially wanted or even dreamed about because they cost too much.
When figuring out your budget,
make sure to leave an allowance for unforeseen costs. Some venues won't charge
for wine until after the wedding night since it's likely you'll have to request
for more bottles than initially planned. You might need to pay for an extra hour
to use the venue or for more parking space.
4. Finalize Your Guest Count
The budget for your venue will
mostly account for three factors: space rental, catering, and the number of
guests.
Venue owners/managers won't be
able to give you a proper estimate of the costs until you have a guest list.
You need to know how many people will attend so that they can compute how much
you'll pay for catering.
Don't settle for quick text
messages or chatting online. Send formal invitations, even if it's only via email,
and include an RSVP with a deadline. This
ensures you get responses by a certain date.
Still, leave room for 5-10 more
guests. This gives some allowance for your planner and the venue managers.
5. Stick to Your Theme
Don't include a hotel reception
hall if you aim for a beach wedding or a garden reception. This might sound
obvious but many couples end up compromising their theme and goals and settle
for the most affordable or most convenient venue available.
Stick to your theme and fight for
it.
Again, talking to your planner
can be a big help. Let them know you want an evening garden reception with
tons of string lights and a folk band! Let them know you want to accommodate 150
people but still keep it intimate.
They can work their magic to find
venues with you, venues suitable for the theme you want.
6. Consider Convenience and
Comfort
Got a few venues in mind now?
Listed a few places that jive with your theme and fit with your budget and
guest list?
Now it's time to scratch off
those that don't offer a good level of convenience and comfort. Safety also
falls in line with this.
If you found a few outdoor
venues, do they have a tent or a hall at the ready in case it rains? How large
is the area and can it accommodate the number of guests you want? Is there
air conditioning, sufficient restrooms, and escape hallways or windows in case
of a fire, earthquake, or other emergencies?
7. Lighting & Audio
Lighting can make or break a
wedding. It sets the mood and can make the venue look like a grand, romantic
setting or make it look cheap and empty. Lighting can also affect the quality
of photos and videos, especially if you hire professional photographers.
Audio is another important aspect
some couples forget to check when scouting wedding venues. You'll want to check
if the audio equipment is up to date, if people at the back can still hear the
music or mic, and if there's no annoying static coming from the speakers.
8. Food Is a Priority
Now you found all the places that
fit your theme, are within your budget and meet all the other parameters. The
next step is to eliminate choices based on their catering options.
You should prioritize venues that
offer catering over those that don't. The latter requires you to hunt a
separate catering service and that can lead to a whole other world of
headaches.
Taste-test the food. Check how
much food each guest gets and how much you'll pay for their services. Make sure
to check if the cost estimate also includes the wedding cake, desserts, a snack
bar, and alcoholic drinks.
Pick the Best Wedding
Locations Today!
Choosing the best wedding
locations isn't going to happen overnight. You'll need to take all these
factors into consideration and work things out with your partner, venue
managers, and wedding planner. However, you can make the process easier and
smoother with these 8 tips.
But why stop here? If you want
more wedding planning tips or lifestyle tips in general, feel free to go
through our other guides today! Continue to discover our other content!
