A Step by Step Guide for Choosing a Wedding Venue
It’s always daunting choosing a wedding venue so here are our top tips to making this task easier. We also suggest creating a spreadsheet to keep track of all the information you will collect (there will be a lot!).
Does your budget fit?
Ask yourself, can I really afford this venue? Is it worth paying extra for? Create a list and work out which venues you can afford and which ones you can't. Choosing a venue above your budget can add stress to your special day.
Is the venue available?
This sounds obvious but it’s very easy to fall in love with a particular venue and then be disappointed to find out they are already booked. Popular venues are often booked out years in advance. Some venues allow you to check availability online and others require you to call. Once you have found the perfect venue, book it straight away to avoid disappointment.
Is the venue the right size for my wedding?
Sometimes venues will over-sell the size of the room to squeeze in as many people as possible. This is hardly ideal as it can make it very difficult to get from one side of the room to the other; not great for mingling with your guests. Keep in mind the real maximum capacity of the room before booking and make sure it has all the room you need. Just because you can fit 200 people into a room, doesn’t mean you should.
Does the venue layout suit?
If you are holding your entire wedding at the one location, check whether the venue has the appropriate layout for the day. Consider where you will have the ceremony, pre-dinner drinks/cocktails, whether it has a quiet area for guests to relax, and where the dance floor might go. These are all important factors to the success of your special day.
Is there parking?
Is there enough parking for all your guests? You may need to use a nearby parking station, so consider the distance and ease of getting to the venue (this is particularly important for older guests). You may end up needing a shuttle for areas that are too far away.
Do you have a backup?
This is never fun to think about, but you do need a backup plan in case mother nature has a turn for the worse. Outdoor receptions are quite common and it's easy to forget the potential for bad weather in all the excitement of booking a venue. It’s probably the most important thing on this list; no one wants a washout!
Some other things to consider include: nearby accommodation; ease of access to venue; whether the venue provides chairs, tables, lighting, DJ, dance floor, linen, cutlery, plates, glasses, catering and decorations.
In the end choose what's right for you. Consider all the options listed here, as well as trusting your own gut feeling. Remember to stay open to all possibilities; you may end up changing your mind for the better! :)
