When choosing a big day, there are so many tasks that you’ll have to handle that you’ll just forget some of them. Well, picking a perfect wedding venue is not one of these tasks. It’s just too big to forget. In fact, some would say that it’s the single biggest thing regarding the wedding organization there is.
Does this mean that everyone gives this task the amount of attention it deserves? Does it mean that everyone gets it right? Sadly, no!
So, how do you choose the perfect wedding venue for your big day? Which factors matter the most? Here are four tips to help you make the right choice!
Check size, availability, and costs
The first thing you want to do is consult your guest list and your budget. These are the two objective factors without which you can’t even start looking for a venue. Most people start with a budget this gives them an idea of how many people they can invite. After this, you consider how many people you actually want to invite and go from there (expand or downscale the list).
The next thing you should do is check the size of the venue. If the venue is not big enough, you can’t place all your guests. If it’s too big, you’ll end up overpaying for the venue (when you could have gotten a smaller and cheaper place), or you’ll just make the place look half-empty.
You also need the date. All the best venues are booked a year in advance, so when you ask the place if you can do business, you need to tell them the date upfront. Remember that wedding planning isn’t that simple of a task to begin with.
Lastly, you want to check the cost and pricing structure for the venue. What do we mean by pricing structure? Well, sometimes, you’ll just pay a flat fee for the venue, but at other times, you’ll pay per chair (guest). This could end up making a huge difference in your calculation.
Pick the theme and style
Next, you need to think about the style of your wedding. What do we mean when we say the style of the wedding? Well, everything, actually. The decoration, the music, and even the activities. These will be heavily impacted by what you have available on the spot.
First, you need to consider the style and customizability of the venue. For instance, if you want to host a traditional wedding, you’re looking for a traditional wedding place. However, what if you want to host a woodsy wedding or an industrial wedding? This would require a completely different look to the place. Customizability is important, but it will only take you so far. You want the place to be great in its base form.
Your own intentions and ambitions also matter. We’ve already mentioned the importance of customizability, but this adds to costs and effort. Sometimes, it’s better to find the place that’s already what you’re looking for rather than to toil hard at making it into something you’ve envisioned.
You also want to check for amenities. What is their sound system like, and do they have a stage? This could make a difference when it comes to whether you hire a DJ or a band. Depending on your plans for the wedding, this could make a huge difference. Even the locations for potential photo ops can be a huge factor in evaluating the style of the location.
Besides all that we’ve mentioned, don’t forget to keep your wedding attire in mind. For example, if your wedding attire is more laidback, you may want to go with a more casual setting. A botanical garden or outdoor rooftop is better suited for whimsical, laidback clothing. Whereas a museum and banquet hall work better for a more formal wedding gown and beautiful bridesmaids dresses.
The venue you choose plays a significant role in setting the tone for your wedding. If you’re unsure about which venue is best, consider what you will wear during the ceremony. Alternatively, if the venue is more important to you, decide on that before picking out your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and groomsmen’s attire.
Evaluate the location
The next thing you need to do is go through your guest list and consider all their residences. How far is the place, and how do you expect them to arrive? Of course, as a wedding planner or a bride/groom-to-be, you have too much on your plate to think about this, as well. After all, personal transportation to the wedding is everyone’s personal responsibility.
At the same time, a remote location can drastically reduce wedding attendance, which is never a preferred outcome; it might be better to pick something that’s a bit more convenient.
You also want to check for accessibility. After all, people drink at weddings, which means that accessibility to public transportation might play a huge role. This way, no one has to be a designated driver, and everyone will be happier.
Also, it’s important that you consider the parking of the place. Huge parking exclusive to the venue guests is preferred, but any parking will do, really. If there’s parking vicinity, you can jot that down as a plus.
Most importantly, you don’t want a place that’s exposed to outside noises. So, you should look at the surrounding venues, as well. Some places will just rent you a part of the venue while hosting other events at the same time. There’s nothing wrong with this, but you should know it in advance.
Pay attention to details
There are some things you just can’t see remotely. You want to visit the place in person in order to see what’s really going on.
Stand in the middle of the hall and try to imagine what the experience will look like. More importantly, try to envision what kind of effort it would take on your part to make this experience come to life. Does this venue have that kind of potential?
Next, you want to read the contract carefully. Take as much time as you need, read every letter, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if anything’s unclear. No, there’s no place to be paranoid. No one is trying to scam you; however, you want to avoid unpleasant surprises or a potential bottleneck/roadblock down the path.
Lastly, trust your instincts. This is your big day, and everything has to be perfect. So, if you just feel weird about the place, it’s okay to turn it down and look elsewhere. The same goes for those who dislike the venue’s management. This is important to you, and you’re putting so much trust in the staff. If something makes you uneasy, it’s just not worth it.
Wrap up
The last thing you need to understand is that a perfect venue means different things for different people. You’ll have to adjust your criteria and requirements based on your budget, number of guests, and style of the wedding. This is why, these three factors are the mot important to focus on (other than your subjective feeling, which is abstract and hard to pinpoint).
