A Bride-to-Be’s Guide: How to Choose a Wedding Venue
Planning a wedding can be as stressful as it is exciting, and one of the most important decisions a couple is going to have to make is the venue. It will create the atmosphere and ambiance of a ceremony or a reception, and can make the difference between showing guests a good time and the occasion falling flat. The good news is that there are a few fail-proof things couples should absolutely keep in mind during the selection process. Here are a few essential tips for figuring out how to choose a wedding venue.
1. Think about the kind of ceremony you want.
The first thing couples should think about when they’re trying to find a wedding venue is the kind of wedding they want. Is religion playing a big role in the ceremony? A church might make the best venue. Is the wedding going to be more laid back and fun? Something like an old barn might be just right. If the wedding is meant to be a formal affair, an elegant banquet hall is probably the best bet. There are a number of unique wedding venue ideas out there, so go ahead and think outside the box.
2. Visit the venue at strategic times.
Once you’ve decided on the type of wedding you want to have and how a venue can create it, it’s time to visit the actual location. Most weddings (84%) aren’t “destination weddings” — meaning that they take place close to where the couple lives, so chances are visiting your venue isn’t going to be tough to do. The key here is to visit the venue at the right time. This means visiting during the right season and at the right time of day, so you are able to get the best picture of what the day will actually be like.
3. Keep logistics in mind.
This is one of the most important wedding planning tips you can get: make sure that your venue will suit your needs. A good chunk of the average $28,000 price tag of a wedding in the U.S. goes to booking the venue, so it’s important that you choose a wedding venue that’s right. Additionally, make sure that the venue can accommodate all of your guests — in number and in accessibility. Furthermore, if you plan to have a pet in your wedding (8% of couples do), make sure that animals are allowed at the venue.
Do you have any tips or ideas about how to choose a wedding venue? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below!