Choosing the wedding venue is one of the first things to do when planning a wedding and one of the most important as well! The location you choose will set the tone for your big day, and may impact other decisions such as the dress code, décor, the catering options and so on.
What is a wedding venue?
The wedding venue is the place where your wedding will take place. There are countless possibilities depending on what the fiancés want – it could be a destination wedding with traveling abroad, a beautiful and historic castle, a restaurant or even an intimate at-home wedding.
There are many things to consider, so here are some tips to help in your search for the perfect wedding venue!
The starting point: the guest list
One of the hardest tasks in wedding planning is to make a guest list and decide who will be at the big day, but it is fundamental to have this arranged when looking for your wedding venue.
The guest list will help you determine which size of venue you need – you don’t want it so small that will make your guests uncomfortable but you also should avoid having a huge place for a small number of guests or else you may have to spend a considerable amount to make it feel full and intimate.
Because of that, the guest list itself will give you some directions on what types of wedding venues you should look for and even limit some options.
Wedding budget
Alongside the guest list, the budget will help determine your possibilities. It is estimated that the wedding venue accounts for 10 to 15% of the budget, and it could be even more depending on its size, location and what is included.
Before you visit the place, it is important to know their price range to keep you focused and avoid falling in love with a venue that doesn’t match your budget.
Wedding venue specificities
Let’s imagine you already have your guest list and your budget arranged. Now comes big decisions that depend on the couple’s plans…
Number of venues
The majority of couples choose to celebrate the wedding at one place only because usually it’s more practical for the guests and easier on the budget. If that’s your case, make sure that the venue supports these two events and check how it is organized.
However, it is also possible to have your ceremony at one wedding venue and the reception in another one. If you are thinking about it there are some things to consider: the distance and the travel time between them, which place you will choose for the official pictures, and – of course – if this choice is in line with your budget.
Venue’s availability
Some venues may have a busy schedule of events, especially in specific seasons such as the fall or spring, or even may be closed during some times of the year.
With that in mind, planning early is important – ideally, you should start looking for your wedding venue at least a year out. Even so, some flexibility may be necessary if you want a specific place.
Yet, having flexibility can bring great opportunities as some places offer special discounts on certain days of the week or periods of the year.
Package types
There are wedding venues that provide only the space while others offer wedding packages that may include the décor, food, drinks, a master of ceremonies, among others. Check these specificities of each place and their prices are a big part of the wedding venue selection.
Wedding venue curfew
If you like to party you must have this on sight when considering a location for your wedding. Always ask questions about how long the ceremony and the reception will last, what is the curfew for the party (is it 10 p.m.? 12 a.m.?…), and if there are any noise restrictions in the area.
Back-up plan
It is not something we like to think about when planning a wedding because we want everything to be perfect… However, it is necessary considering the expenses you have and that some situations are unpredictable.
If you plan to marry in an outdoor venue, it is a must to know what are the options and layouts available in case there is rain on your big day.
To check the place’s policies in case of health issues (such as COVID) and emergencies (like hurricanes, wildfires or blizzards) is also a good idea.
The groom and the bride style
Besides the particularities mentioned above, the place you tie the knot will be forever in your memories… Because of that you should look for places that match the couple’s preferences and style.
Preferred season of the year
The season in which you plan to marry will also play a role when choosing your venue.
The spring and fall seasons add beautiful colors and landscapes that complement outdoor wedding venues, alongside having nice weather, usually not too hot nor too cold for you and your guests; because of that, these are the most popular times of the year to get married.
Also, if you dream of an outdoor wedding, you should be aware of the rainy and the deep winter months according to the country. A wedding planner may help you in this search, especially if you are planning a destination wedding.
Despite not so usual, winter weddings may be magical as well! In this case, it is important to consider if the celebration will be held outdoors or not, what is the infrastructure of the wedding venue and, of course, it is fundamental to have one (or even more) of those backup plans we’ve talked about.
Moment of the day
Discuss with your partner what moment of the day you would like to tie the knot. The timing of the wedding will set the scene for the moments (and pictures!) of the celebration, and also will play a role on the reception – if it will be a brunch, lunch or dinner, for instance.
If you plan to marry at dusk, with the sunset as background, you should look for wedding venues that have an outdoor space.
However, if this is not a priority for you or if you wish to get married another time of the day, you can explore not only outdoors but also indoors venues.
Wedding venue types
The couple’s style and aesthetic must match the wedding venue type to guarantee the perfect day. Because of that, the groom and the bride should look for references and identify their style before visiting the venues; that way, the search becomes easier and less stressful.
There are many types to choose from, and here are some ideas for you:
Traditional venues
- Hotels or resorts
- Restaurants
- Beaches
- Country clubs
- House of worship
Unique wedding venues
- Castles
- Winery or vineyards
- Boats
- Museums or galleries
- Zoo
As you can see, there is a lot to consider in your wedding venue search – and we know that it can get stressful. The good thing is: you can count on us to support you in this journey. Contact us right now.