Finding the perfect venue for your event or wedding isn’t always easy. While some brides-to-be come to us dead set on which venue they’d like to host their wedding at, for some, choosing the perfect wedding venue can be a daunting task. In this article, we share a few pointers to help you choose the perfect venue for your wedding.
1. Talk To An Event / Wedding Planner First.
Experienced Event Planners have a better understanding of the capacity of the venues in your region; as well as the layout, time and logistics you’ll need to really transform the space. If there’s a creative way to make your preferred venue unique or some venue restrictions that could make your vision hard to accomplish, your planner will be able to advise you on what to do.
2. Choose A Venue That Aligns With Your Vision.
This might seem obvious, but it is important to seek out venues that fit the aesthetic you have in mind. If you want a dreamy yet modern aesthetic, consider an upscale hotel ballroom or well-designed restaurant spaces. On the flip side, if you’re planning a rustic event with lots of natural earthy tones, consider outdoor venues or garden spaces with lots of trees or beautiful wooden elements.
3. Decide On Your Guest Numbers Before You Seek Out Venues.
Knowing how many guests you’d like to invite before you go looking at venues will help save you lots of time, effort, headaches and heartaches.
As a general rule, if you choose a venue that can seat 400 people theatre style, know that the same space will seat 50% less in a banquet style setting. Also remember that the maximum capacity of a room isn’t often the comfortable point. During your venue recce, ask the venue manager how many people they can fit comfortably, and what is allowed. When planning a wedding, especially, it is common to underestimate how many people you will invite (or how many your parents will want to add!), so have that conversation early to know what numbers you’re really working with.
4. Have A Budget In Mind.
Venues with in-house catering (like hotels and resorts) will charge a price-per-plate in addition to a venue hire fee. In addition, how much transformation you need can also drive up the cost. So it is important to consider what your total budget is, as well as approximately what your preferred wedding design will cost to execute in that space.
A venue with an abundance of natural landscape, such as a vineyard or beachfront resort, can provide a stunning backdrop and reduce how much you’ll need to spend on décor.
5. Think About The Overall Guest Experience.
If you’re inviting a lot of out-of-town guests or having a destination wedding, consider a venue that is close to (or connected to) a hotel. Also consider how easy it is to get to and from the venue and how comfortable it is once you get there.
Other points to note: Will you be required to shuttle guests to and from the venue? How much more will that cost? If guests are expected to drive, how far do they have to drive? How easy is the venue to find?
Whichever venue you settle on, be sure to stay true to yourselves and choose a venue that reflects your individual style and wedding vision. A lot of couples choose venues based on the style of a wedding they fell in love with online. But it is important to ask yourselves what feels authentic to who you are as a couple.
Finally, remember that while a venue may have looked beautiful with a different theme or design, it may not be the perfect canvas for yours.