Choosing The Right Wedding Venue For You 

What’s one of the first things you should book after getting engaged? Your wedding venue! Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the most important aspects of wedding planning, as it sets the tone for the entire event. There are so many great options out there, from outdoor chapels and barns to funky lofts and raw spaces. Be sure to follow these tips when trying to choose the right wedding venue for you. 

Wedding Vision

You’ll want your wedding venue to match the overall vision you have for your wedding day. If you’re using a wedding planner or designer, ask them for their recommendations before booking. Your planner will have a list of their favorite venues in your area, and ones that are cohesive with your wedding day vision. If you’re having a modern wedding, consider a brewery, loft, museum, or even an airport hangar for your venue. On the other hand, if you envision having a rustic wedding, opt for an outdoor space like a barn, ranch, or even your backyard! 

Availability 

Are you flexible with your wedding date? Or, do you already have your heart set on a particular day? If you already have a date picked out, the very first thing you need to ask your venue is if they have that date available. However, it is a good idea to choose your venue before anything else, including picking out your wedding date. That way, when you find the perfect venue, you are able to choose from the dates they have open instead of the other way around. 

Budget

Again, your wedding venue is one of the first, if not the first vendor you will book. Make sure that the venue you choose is within your budget. Regardless of if you go over budget, or stay on track, this will determine how much you can spend on the rest of your vendors. Be sure to ask your wedding venue exactly what’s included in the cost; are you just renting the raw space or does it come with chairs, tables, linens, or any other rentals? Also, make sure to discuss their vendor policy. Some venues have an open-vendor policy, while others only allow vendors from their approved-vendors list. This could make a big impact on your budget if the only approved vendors are out of your price range. 

Size

The venue needs to be able to accommodate everyone on your guest list. So, it goes without saying that you need to come up with your guest list before booking your venue. For a large wedding, be sure there’s space for enough tables, chairs, decorations, dessert table, and whatever other decorations or stations your planning. For a small wedding, you want to be sure the space doesn’t feel too big and open. You want it to feel like you fill the space and it’s intimate and cozy. 

Guest Experience 

You want your guests to actually enjoy the evening! They have taken time out of their busy lives to celebrate with you and probably bought you a nice gift as well. Make sure you think about their experience as well as your own. For example, consider the venue’s location. Is it close to affordable hotels for your out of town guests? Is the venue in close driving distance for most of your guests, or will they need hotels too? (Tip: include accommodation info on your wedding invitations to make it easy for guests to book.) In addition, think about the comfort level of the venue. Does the venue have enough seating for your guests to be comfortable, or do you need to bring in some extra? We love lounge stations with cute, comfy sofas and chairs for your guests, and they also add a fun design element. 

Choosing the right wedding venue is a huge decision. But, it’s also one of the most fun decisions to make! Once you have your venue, the wedding planning really gets started and it makes the whole process feel real. Your venue will be a place that you cherish for years, so take your time and make sure it’s somewhere that you and your partner both really love. 

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