6 Tips for Finding the Wedding Venue of Your Dreams
If it’s your intention to have people at your wedding, then you need to have a venue. However, finding the perfect one has its challenges. These days, there are so many options, ones that range style-wise from antique barns to elegant ballrooms. You might just want to have your wedding at the beach or in your favorite restaurant. Here are six tips for finding the wedding venue of your dreams.
Determine Your Budget and Guest List
While you may not have determined your budget or guest list yet, try to put together a rough idea of how many people you want to invite and about how much you can spend. This will help you select a venue. If your budget is tight, there are ways to save money on the venue. In this case, you may need to think out of the box. For instance, consider looking for an Airbnb that could accommodate your guest list and reception plans. A park is another budget-friendly option. You may need a permit, but this will likely be cheaper than reserving a barn or a reception center. Libraries and museums as well as zoos and aquariums are other affordable options.
Ask Your Planner
Before you begin the search for a space, ask your planner for advice and recommendations. Wedding planners know the capacity of your local spaces as well as the layout and about how much they cost. He or she can guide you toward a place based on your budget and the number of people you are planning to invite.
Know Your Style
Some couples want a rustic wedding while for others, it’s important to have a formal affair. Before searching for a wedding venue, sit down as a couple and determine what style of wedding you want to have. You should also consider how responsible you want to be for the details. It is easier to reserve a place that is wedding-ready, a place that has tables, linens, chairs and even catering available for you to use. If you decide to go with a place that’s non-traditional, be sure to include the cost of renting the extras that you’ll need to have for your big day.
What are Your Plans for Food?
When you start searching for a venue, keep your catering needs in mind. Today, a popular trend is to serve unique cuisine or nontraditional desserts at weddings. If this is something that you want to do, then make sure that the venue of your dreams will allow it. Some sites may require you to select food from their own menu while others may have one baker who they work with. This means that your food choices could be limited. Some places will allow you to bring in your wedding cake, but they might charge a fee for cutting it, which would impact your budget.
Ask Around
Before putting down a deposit, ask other people about the space. Reach out to other couples and vendors who held events at the venue. This will give you a lot of insight regarding how easy the place is to work with. You may learn whether the staff is helpful or a hindrance. You’ll also find out if events held at the venue run on time and whether guests were able to locate it.
Visit Your Potential Venues Several Times
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of venues to fewer than five possibilities, visit them several times to choose the right one. Do they fit your charm requirements? What about location convenience and size? Stop by each venue around the time that you intend to use it. Consider whether they have the same ambiance in the evening as they do in the morning.
The Wedding Venue of Your Dreams is Out There
Before selecting a place for your wedding, sit down as a couple and choose a wedding theme. Discuss what’s important to you for your big day. Do you want to get married in a place that means something to you as a couple or would you rather have complete control over every aspect of your wedding? If you’re lucky, you might be able to have both. Don’t settle on a place. Your dream venue is out there.
