Wedding Wednesday: How to Choose a Venue
Throughout this whole wedding process, I’ve learned that I am much more decisive than I’ve ever given myself credit for. I’ve always had an idea of where and when I wanted my wedding…until we got engaged! The moment it was “real” the time of year and location of the reception changed because I finally had a clearer vision.
I think the best parts of wedding planning are realizing what matters most to you. Weddings can be expensive, and at the end of the day, the most important part of them is that you are marrying your partner. But they also can mean totally different things to a lot of people. I have a big family and lots of friends I can’t imagine not sharing the day with, so that is why we are having a large-ish wedding and a longer engagement. But I know plenty of people who could care less and would rather elope or have a small, private wedding. To each their own!
One of my followers reached out on Instagram and asked if I could share some additional wedding venues in the area where we are getting married, and I thought it was a great opportunity to share why I chose the kind of venue I did and what to look for in others!
Wedding venues can definitely vary in price and availability depending of where you are and the time of year. For example, in Charleston, South Carolina “wedding season” is in the winter months, since November-March is the coolest it is down there. While up north, in Connecticut, wedding season is June-October.
Things to Look For:
Off Season Specials—If you’re on a budget and don’t have preference on the time of year you get married, many venues will offer off-season prices that are less expensive
Catering—Personally, I knew I wanted our wedding venue to include catering, because it would be one less thing to worry about!
Minimums—Many large venues will require a minimum of guests, or payment for those guests. So if you tell you venue you’ll be having 175 guests, they’ll bill you for 175 even if only 163 show up. That’s why making your guest list and following up with RSVP’s is so important!
Indoor Option—You must LOVE your indoor option even more than the outdoor option. If you plan on getting married outside or having an outdoor reception, make sure your venue has an indoor or tent option and that it is equally beautifully to what you were envisioning.
Coordinator—Even if you’re not using a planner, make sure your venue has a point of contact that is only for you that day who will run things and be there to keep the day flowing and on schedule. Another important thing is to LOVE your venue staff. Go off your gut and make sure you vibe together, otherwise the whole process could be torture.
Parking/Shuttles—If you’re not providing transportation, make sure there is plenty of parking available at your venue. If there isn’t, are there shuttles from a parking area to the reception? You want to make sure your guests are taken care of and there is no confusion.
Personalization—One thing that is important to us is the ability to personalize our day. Make sure the venue allows you to have everything you want, whether it’s the ability to bring in a late night food truck, a photo booth, and any “bars” (candy, coffee, cigar, etc).
Alcohol Restrictions—Some venues are beer/wine only so make sure their alcohol requirements meet with your plans.
Linens/Decor—Does your venue provide tables, chairs, linens, etc? Rental fees can be huge and you don’t want to be surprised!
Dance Floor—If you’re having a band or DJ, make sure there is space for them to set up and entertain while your guests still have room to dance it up!
Lighting—Something I NEVER knew about until I was wedding planning. Some DJ’s provide “up lighting” or additional lighting for venues that are on the darker side, but some do not. Some venues will provide additional lighting, some will not. Make sure you are getting the ambiance you want!
Set Up/Break Down Crew—On your wedding day, the last thing you’ll want to be doing is setting up and breaking down your decor. Know your venue’s policy on set up/break down well before the day of and if they don’t have a designated team, make sure YOU create one. Whether that means hiring a day of coordinator or assembling a team of friends and family.
Overwhelmed? Don’t be. It all comes down to what works with your budget and what you want your planning process/day to look like. I knew I didn’t want to worry about ANY of this, so we chose a venue that was pricier but has a fantastic team and provides everything. It’s all what works for you!
Photo by Brooke Allison Photo