When you are planning a wedding, looking for and choosing a venue is going to be one of the most significant decisions. The venue that you and your partner choose will set the tone, have an influence on other aspects such as the budget and guest experience, and, of course, will be the primary location where all of the photos are taken. So, no pressure in choosing the right place! A simple online search will show you that there are countless options available, so when it comes to narrowing down the choices, it can feel extremely difficult.
Can you do it without second-guessing your final choice? Yes, and here is how!
Establish a Realistic Budget
The first thing to consider when looking at wedding venues is your budget. How much can you afford? The budget will quickly help you narrow down the short list of viable options. You need to account for the potential hidden costs (which any good venue will not hide), such as service fees, rentals, or even the mandatory catering packages that can come with some higher-end options.
Look at the Atmosphere
Of course, when you were looking online at wedding venues, they would all aim to play into a vibe or theme. So, what is the atmosphere that you are looking for? On your big day, are you picturing something like a rustic barn, a city loft, or even something by the seaside? You and your partner will need to decide what matters most to you, which is usually the feel of the venue, and this will help you to eliminate those that don’t align.
Guest Count Counts!
One of the core things you will have discussed when planning your big day is how many people will be coming. Your guest list will directly impact the venue size and, therefore, the cost. You should seek to put together a guest list early on to ensure that all the potential venues that you look into will be able to accommodate the group size. It is always better to go for a venue that is slightly larger, as this will accommodate any last-minute guests or add-ons.
Accessibility
A lot of people want to have a wedding in the Bahamas or in Italy. However, you need to think practically about your guests’ experience and their own budgets. So, you should seek to check travel distances from where you and the majority of your guests live, as well as parking availability and accessibility for those who may be older or even disabled. If you are having guests coming from abroad, you should also look for nearby lodgings and transportation options for them to enjoy your day in comfort, with somewhere to go afterwards that isn’t too out of their price range.
Visit the Venues
It would simply be foolish to choose a wedding venue without visiting it at least once! When you have narrowed the venues down to a few finalists, such as three, it is time to schedule the tours. Try to pay attention to the lighting, the layout, and, of course, the staff, as these are going to be the people overseeing this part of your big day. Be sure to take as many photos as you want, or even videos, and ask detailed questions. Then you can make your final decision!