5 Things Every Couple Should Know Before Booking Their Venue

Picking a venue for your wedding is one of the most important parts of the planning process! Not only is it where you’ll tie the knot, but it sets the tone for the whole wedding day. Whether you decide on a location because of its significance to you as a couple or because of the amazing views, there’s a few things you should know before you book it!

Your Wedding Date 

This doesn’t have to be exact, unless you specifically want to tie the knot on your anniversary, or on the day you two first met. It’s a good idea to have a general idea of when you want to get married. Do you have a month you think would be the most beautiful? Can you get more time off from work during certain months versus others? It’s important to keep an open mind when it comes to setting your date because venues can be booked up far in advance. Begin your search with a timeframe in mind and be prepared to adjust your exact date accordingly. 

Guest Count

Again, by no means does this have to be an exact number, especially since you likely haven’t even thought of sending out invitations yet, but a range of people is important. Some venues may have space or capacity limitations, so it’s important that your desired venue can accommodate everyone. Are you thinking of having an intimate ceremony with 50-100 guests? A smaller location may work best for you. However, if you want a big blowout with over 200 people, that may require a bit more searching. 

Budget

The cost of a venue can depend on a number of factors from length of rental time to the number of guests. It’s important that you and your S.O. figure out how much you’re willing to spend on location before committing to anything. You also need to factor in the cost of rentals. If you decide on a backyard wedding, you obviously won’t have to worry about it being booked in advance, but you will have to think about how much the rentals are going to cost you. Come up with a strict number and make it one of the first questions you ask your venue, so you don’t become attached to a place before realizing it’s way out of your price range.

Style

Think about what kind of wedding you want to have. You don’t need to have everything figured out down, but try to describe your wedding in two general words to help hone in on a specific aesthetic. From there you can more easily narrow down the venue type. Do you want your wedding to be glamorous and elegant? Check out the ballrooms or hotel banquet rooms in the place you’re getting married. Are you thinking of having a more intimate and cozy affair? Consider restaurant venues in your area. 

Venue restrictions

Find out what services the venue offers you on top of the space itself. Does it come with a day-of coordinator? Do they have in-house catering? Are you allowed to bring in outside vendors? Do they have a curfew or alcohol restrictions? These are important things you need to find out, as they can make or break your decision. 

Happy venue hunting! 

Photo by Samantha Erin Photography