Tips for Finding the Perfect Venue from our friends at Stellar Event Management. 

No doubt about it, choosing a venue for your wedding is exciting.  After arriving at a date, it is one of the first decisions you will make on your wedding planning journey. But before you put down any deposits or form attachments to rustic-chic barns that don’t have electricity, there are a few things to consider. Here’s our best advice for choosing a wedding venue:

Estimate your guest list and budget.

You probably don’t have a firm grip on your guest list or budget just yet, but you’ll need to know roughly how many people you’re inviting and how much you can spend before you start drawing up your list of dream venues.  Both pieces of information are critical to keeping you from wasting your time touring venues that are too small or outside of your budget.  Your guest list doesn’t need to be etched in stone at this point, but you should have a rough idea of how many people are on your list and how many are on your future spouses.  Be sure not to overlook parents….if they are chipping in part or all of the funds, they may have a handful of close friends they would like to include.

Consider the style of wedding you want to have.

Whether it’s rustic, formal, boho, low-key, or a blow-out bash, the wedding style you and your partner envision will be a big factor in determining where you can host your celebration. Consider whether you want a traditional or non-traditional venue. There are plenty of venues that regularly play host to weddings — including barns and art galleries — but if you opt for a totally non-traditional venue that’s not equipped to host a party (say, an industrial warehouse space), you’ll be responsible for a lot more details. Wedding-ready venues often have tables, chairs, and linens available for your use and, quite often, a set-up and clean-up crew on hand. If you’re renting out a non-traditional space, remember to factor in all of those details and make sure they are in your budget.

Slow down and consider the logistics.

Once you have a list of possible wedding venues and begin to visit them, you may find yourself falling instantly in love with the aesthetics of a space. But be sure to slow down and consider the logistics of having a wedding at your dream wedding venue.  Don’t forget to think about available parking – is it on the property? Is there a fee to park?  Does the venue have a liquor license? Is there a contingency plan in case of bad weather? Is there a required end time? All of these could adversely affect your budget if you aren’t prepared.

Think about how much control you’ll want to have over your wedding’s decor and details.

Most venues are either full-service or not, meaning they either provide all tables, chairs, and linens…or they don’t. Find out what each venue provides, ask if the venue has any vendor restrictions, and decide whether or not you can be happy with those options.

Consider your catering needs.

Many of today’s couples are foodies and want to serve their guests a very specific menu. But not every venue will allow you to bring in your own caterer, and some may require you to choose from in-house catering menus. Discuss your catering needs before signing a contract to ensure that the venue matches your desires.  And be sure to schedule a tasting.

Visit your potential venue more than once.

Once you’ve whittled down your list of venue options to two or three frontrunners, go back and visit them again. Do they have the same charm? Do they fulfill all your logistical and stylistic requirements? Are they big enough, and will your party have a comfortable flow? If possible, visit the venue around the time of day you want to marry — if you originally saw the venue at 11 AM the first time you visited, you’ll want to see it again at the time you plan to start your wedding. Note whether or not the lighting and aesthetic of the space is the same. (This is also a good time to bring in your wedding planner if you’re working with one.)

Signing a contract.

Read the fine print!  Ask all of your questions before signing.  When you sign a contract, it is assumed that you read, and agreed to, every word.  It is also important to note that many vendors are not willing to modify their agreement so only ask if there is a clause that you simply can’t work with (i.e. the need for Kosher catering and there isn’t an option provided by the venue).

Once your contract is signed, you will undoubtedly want to show the venue to your family and wedding party.  An open house is a perfect opportunity for that. Remember that, while you have one wedding, your venue coordinator could potentially have over 50 events booked and several more pending so don’t just pop in!

Do you have questions regarding your venue contract?  We can help you sort out the details and let you know what you are signing before you sign.  Our hourly packages are designed for couples that need a little assistance with contracts. Email us for more info!

Now go celebrate and start your design board or call us and we will help you design one!