Planning a wedding involves several milestones that will define the way your big day will look and feel. From choosing a wedding dress to finalising your guest list, give the right amount of attention to these important decisions. This will help to ensure that your wedding day turns out exactly as you want it to. The first major decision that you’ll need to tick off your list is, of course, choosing the wedding venue!
But, before you list potential venues for your site visits, choose the location that you want to get married in. Whether it’s in your home country or abroad, this will help you to narrow down your options (and save you time and money when it comes to planning visits!).
Once you’ve got this covered, it’s time to begin hunting for the perfect wedding venue! With our foolproof guide to choosing a wedding venue, you can ensure that your chosen venue ticks all the right boxes for your dream wedding. Let’s begin!
It’s all about location
Whether you dream of celebrating your wedding by the sea, in a garden, or in an urban setting, defining the overall aesthetic of your wedding will help you determine suitable locations. If you’re not yet sure what kind of venue you’re after, try paying a visit to different types of venues to help you make a decision.
Get down to the practical details
When visiting venues, it’s important to keep in mind the practical details of your wedding, such as capacity. The venue you choose shouldn’t be too small, or too large, to accommodate your guests. The right size of venue will save you from having a wedding that is too cramped or too empty.
What’s your budget?
Your wedding venue can easily be one of the most expensive items on your wedding checklist. While it may make sense to you to splurge on the venue, ensure that you still have some of your budget left for your other expenses, such as décor, catering and entertainment. When comparing venues, keep in mind that some venues may include décor and catering within their rental price.
Accommodation and facilities
If your guests will be travelling far from their homes, finding a venue with on-site or nearby accommodation is important. This will make it easier for your guests to make arrangements to attend your celebrations, especially if it’s a destination wedding. Additionally, check that your venue has plenty of parking spaces (or offer transport to the venue if it doesn’t), and that it’s easily accessible to guests of different ages and abilities.
What about the weather?
Depending on where in the world you want to get married, the weather can influence your wedding venue decision. Different seasons each come with their own advantages and disadvantages, and your choices may be limited at different times throughout the year. In warmer climates, outdoor evening weddings may be possible, while colder countries may require you to opt for an indoor venue no matter the season. Sometimes, choosing a venue that has both indoor and outdoor areas can be the best way to go.
Last but not least, availability!
Try not to leave your venue booking to the last minute. Couples book popular wedding venues over weekends and holidays years in advance! However, if you’re flexible on your wedding dates, then you’ll have more freedom in choosing the wedding venue of your dreams. With a little bit of digging, you may even discover a unique destination that is perfect for your wedding!
Next Steps in Choosing you Wedding Venue
Once you’ve thought about each of the points above, make a list of all the suitable venues within your chosen destination. If there are venues that you’re not sure about from the get-go, list them anyway. Later, we suggest you look back at your list with fresh eyes. Try to analyse each one and separate them into different categories, for example: the ‘YES’!’, ‘maybes’, and ‘definitely nots’. Also, keep your rejected venues on your list will help you remember what it is that you’re not looking for when choosing your venue.
Next, schedule appointments to view the venues that fell under your ‘yes’ list, and, if time permits, pay a visit to the ones on your ‘maybe’ list. By seeing these venues in person, you might be able to find the one that feels right for you. If you’re still stuck, speaking to a wedding planner can help steer you in the right direction. This will also help ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money!
Ready to find the wedding venue of your dreams? Contact us at MYWeddingPlanner to get started!
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