In the USA, the average wedding costs more than $30,000.
When you’re spending this much on one day, there is immense pressure to ensure everything is perfect.
Therefore, planning everything in advance is absolutely essential. Finding the perfect wedding venue should be up there on top of the list.
We’ve put together nine helpful tips that will help you if you’re wondering how to choose a wedding venue.
1. Consider Significant Places
While planning a wedding, it can be easy to follow someone else’s vision. There are so many beautiful pictures online that may cause you to fantasize about a pastel themed wedding at a rooftop venue.
But, if you both have a passion for the countryside, don’t forget this! Stay true to yourselves so your wedding feels more personal.
While searching for venues, think about locations that mean something to you. Perhaps you had your first date in a certain local town or you spend every anniversary at a vineyard?
A few places should already be coming to mind, but if they’re not, continue to discuss this with your partner.
2. Figure Out How Many Guests
If your guest list is small, there is no point in hiring a huge venue that can host 500 people and vice versa.
Roughly plan your guest list and add a few to ensure there’s no-one you’ve forgotten. Then, stick to this number.
By doing this before you head out to view a venue, you can avoid the heartache of realizing a place is too large or small later on.
3. Work Out Your Vision
Sit down with your partner to work out your vision. Do you want a beachy, boho style wedding? Or, would you prefer something more traditional?
Look at wedding magazines and Pinterest boards together to ensure your vision is aligned. Then, why not create a mood board together?
This will then help you decide which venues are worth visiting and which are worth skipping completely.
4. Be Mindful of Your Spending
For your own peace of mind, create a spreadsheet to keep yourself on track and organized.
As this is one of the first decisions you will have to make, you should ensure that there is money available to secure the venue and for everything else from alcohol to hiring caterers, the entertainment to a wedding dress!
5. Learn What is Included
So your dream venue has provided you with a quote. But, what does this involve? Have they outlined whether there are extra costs for food and drink? Will they provide flowers or any help?
Make sure you know everything that is included in a wedding package. By doing this, you can be sure that you’re well within your budget.
If you have to, phone the venue and ask them questions. They’ll be used to this and should be able to help you. If you feel that the staff at your favorite venue aren’t helpful, perhaps it’s worth finding somewhere else.
6. Take Pictures and Videos
While viewing your favorite venues, make sure you take hundreds of photos and videos. You can later delete these, but they will make your decision easier.
Make sure you wear something nice while you explore a venue so you can get an idea of what colors and clothing works.
Consider taking a friend who is particularly fabulous at taking photos so you can have pictures of you and your partner together at the venue.
If you make the day fun and pay for their travel and perhaps lunch, you may have more than one willing volunteer!
7. Create a Pros and Cons List
After seeing a few different places, it may be hard to differentiate between them and think back to what worked and what didn’t.
So, as you go around, as well as taking pictures and videos, come up with a pros and cons list.
Alternatively, head out for a cocktail with your partner after the viewing and spend half an hour creating this list.
It will help you determine which property was best overall. Perhaps you totally ignore the advice of the pros and cons list and go with your gut feeling. But, at least you’re aware of the cons before you start!
8. Read the Contract Carefully
You’ve finally made a decision! Congratulations! Now it’s time for the paperwork. Don’t simply sign on the dotted line as quickly as possible.
Instead, sit down with your partner and go through this important document carefully. Send it over to family or friends that you trust to get their advice too.
Make sure that this is definitely what you want. To cancel a wedding venue won’t be cheap and could even cost $1,000.
How to Choose a Wedding Venue? Plan, Plan, Plan!
As with everything to do for your wedding, if you’re wondering how to choose a wedding venue, the answer is to spend a lot of time planning.
You should also start planning as soon as possible so that you can ensure you secure your dream venue on your preferred date.
Interested in a NJ venue? Take a look at our Gorgeous Venues!
Have you found this article helpful? Check out these tips for building your wedding website to share with loved ones.
