How to Choose a Wedding Venue
6 QUESTIONS TO ASK THAT CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR WEDDING DAY DREAMS
1. What is my overall budget?
You want to have a good idea of what you’d like to spend for your overall wedding budget and what percentage of your budget will be going to your venue. Consider what’s involved in the venue fee and make sure you have enough left over in your budget to hire remaining vendors and any other extras like tables and chairs that may not be included with your venue.
2. How many guests am I expecting?
It would be tragic to have family and friends come from far away only to run out of space because of a growing guest list and book a venue that doesn’t comfortably accommodate your guests! Ask your venue what the maximum capacity is for their space while also factoring in a dance floor and arranging tables and chairs so guests aren’t eating on top of each other! Also, think about what is your ‘Plan B’ if you plan to have any part of your wedding outside, and make sure that if you have to move from outdoors to hold part of your wedding inside, that the indoor space has the capacity to hold all of your guests in the event of inclement weather. Otherwise, some of your guests may wind up standing throughout your ceremony!
3. Does the venue have a Plan B option for ceremony/reception?
As mentioned before, you definitely want to have a backup plan if the weather doesn’t quite cooperate as you hoped for your outdoor wedding. That could be anything from rain, wind, sleet, snow, cold temperatures, or extreme heat! Does your venue have an alternative indoor ceremony or reception space? What is the protocol when it comes to making the call to move inside? Is it something the venue decides for you or do they try to give you the option to make that call yourself (i.e. continuing with your outdoor ceremony if there are just a few sprinkles of rain)? Most importantly, would you be fine with moving inside if you had to? If the indoor aesthetics aren’t anything that you love, keep that in mind when you make your final decision to pick a venue. You don’t want to be disappointed on your wedding day!
