The choice of wedding venue can greatly impact your whole wedding day experience, making it essential to find the location that best suits your needs and wishes.
To find your perfect wedding venue, start with these four simple steps:
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Create a list
Start by making a list of possibilities. When creating your list, make sure to keep your theme and overall plan in mind. Try to imagine how each venue might fit into those plans. Check out venue reviews and visit those that spark your interest.
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Consult with your wedding planners
Your wedding planners can help you determine which of the facilities on your list are suitable for your style of wedding. They understand exactly what is needed and how to transform an ordinary room into your dream wedding venue. Ask them to help you find and cross off the unsuitable venues on your list.
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Stick to your budget
Once you have narrowed down your list of possible venues, it’s time to check on prices. It’s worth sticking to your budget for this item, since it will likely be one of the larger expenses of the wedding. Consider the features of each venue, including the surrounding scenery and the range of reception add-ons available. Does the pricing seem reasonable for the available options? How does the pricing compare with other venues on your list?
The most important consideration will be the total cost of implementing your complete wedding plan at the venue. Before making a final decision, add up the base cost of the venue with the cost of any add-on services you need. Then compare the total price with the amount you have budgeted for the venue. In the end, no matter how wonderful the venue, if it costs more than what you have, you will need to either simplify your plan, or find a less expensive venue.
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Check the availability and book
Once you have decided on a venue, it is wise to make your reservation as soon as possible. Since most popular wedding venues are often fully booked, reserving early is the best way to secure your preferred wedding date and avoid missing out on the location of your choice.
Different Venue Functions To Consider
There are three different aspects of your wedding that need to be considered when choosing a venue. (And the venue has a different function in each case.) If your main venue can accommodate only one aspect of the wedding, you may need to have more than one location for your wedding day. However, there are other venues that can provide an all-in-one package that covers everything. Here are three functions of wedding venues to consider when deciding on locations.
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Venue for the wedding ceremony
First and foremost, you will need a venue for the wedding ceremony—the day’s main event! Couples that prefer a church wedding (or who have another specific location in mind) may need a separate location for the reception. However, many couples prefer to use the same venue for both the wedding ceremony and reception. This saves time and money.
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Venue for the wedding reception
While it’s true that the wedding ceremony is the main event, the reception that follows usually adds even more treasured memories! Wedding receptions vary depending on the culture, but most wedding receptions include food, music and dancing. The reception venue needs to provide for all aspects of the celebration.
Ever wonder why the party after a wedding ceremony is called a reception? It is because the bride and groom are greeting (that is, “receiving”) their friends and family as a married couple for the first time—and vice versa! More than just a party, it is a chance for the couple’s community to recognize the marriage and express their good wishes. The wedding day would not feel complete without the reception—with a proper venue, of course!
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Accommodations for out-of-town guests
The third consideration for venue-hunting is the accommodation of out-of-town guests. Guests who are coming from afar deserve a respectful welcome from you. If your guests do not know where to stay, it is helpful to make a list of reasonably priced accommodations and send it with the invitations. Include at least three options within 30 minutes of the wedding venue: a location near the airport, one downtown and one in quieter surroundings. Including an estimate of the costs would also be helpful. If your budget allows, you could even offer to help cover the costs!
The important etiquette of welcoming out-of-town guests to your wedding will create a pleasant memory for your guests –and give a chance for you as a couple to strengthen relationships with loved ones from the outset of your marriage. It is definitely worth the extra time and expense!
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