Narrowing down your wedding venue is never easy. Often, you have a shortlist of places you’d like to explore, but, of course, you can only use one on the day itself.
That’s where this guide can help. It explores how you can finally narrow down your choice to a single venue and take the plunge.
Here’s what to do:
Determine How Much You Can Spend
The first step is to figure out how much you can spend. Usually, people put around 20% of their wedding budget into the venue, so you should be able to calculate this from the total you’ve set aside.
If you can ask the venue about all their charges, that’s great. They may want you to pay extra for things like service charges or corkage fees, so always get them to confirm their prices in writing.
Check The Logistics
Next, you’ll want to think carefully about the logistics. Usually, wedding venues nearby are the most convenient for you and your guests.
Also, don’t forget to check if the venue is actually available for you and your guests for the date and season you want to book. Venues can get extremely busy at certain parts of the year, especially if they’re well-known for offering an exceptional service.
Venues should accommodate between 50 and 200 guests for most weddings. However, you may need something larger if you’re both members of an extended community.
Visit The Venue
Don’t just look at the venue through a screen — go and visit it. Make sure that it offers everything you want and feels right.
Sometimes, venues can look quite different on paper to how they appear in person. You might find that they are more cramped than you want, or the décor isn’t up to your standards.
The only way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to go around the venues and see how they feel to you. Ask if they make sense and whether they fit your vision for your big day.
Evaluate Flexibility Policies
You should also check how flexible the venue is and whether it can provide everything you need for the wedding setup, like chairs, linens, and AV equipment. Many venues don’t offer these in-house, so you often have to source them from outside, which can be expensive.
You should also look into whether the venue has an alcohol or noise policies. Some landlords and owners can be strict about this, so it is always worth checking in advance.
Trust Your Gut
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should always trust your gut. Creating side-by-side comparisons of venues based on costs and so on can be a great way to whittle down your list, but you should believe in your instincts when it comes to making the final decision.
Sometimes, you’re torn between two venues, but your gut will tell you which to choose. All you need to do is sign the contract with the owner and pay the deposit to secure your date. Congratulations: now your wedding is ready to go ahead.
