Choosing a Perfect Venue for Your Wedding

While every other wedding-related aspect is optional including wedding cake, outfits, flowers etc. a venue is something that cannot be skipped. Why? Well… you need a place to gather all your friends and family to celebrate, right?

Finding the right wedding venue is quite a task actually. There is a huge range of options, and this is probably your first wedding and you have no clue where to start. This is why we’ve created this ultimate guide that will take some burden off your back. Take notes.

Consult your wedding planner

Before you start checking out potential venues, talk to your wedding planner – they’ve seen it all, and they know it all. They will do all the necessary research for you, tell you all about a place’s capacity and layout, as well as list all the things you will need to transform the place according to your likings.

Know your guest list

It’s important to know how many guests you are expecting before you go hunting for a venue. This way you will save yourself a lot of energy down the road. Make the guest list prior to anything else, and don’t move on to anything else until you’re done with it.

Set a budget

A venue is just one item in the ocean of items on your wedding to-do list. Keep in mind, however, that this is going to cost a lot. Simply renting a place is not enough – you should think about decorations, floral designs, and other elements that will also require your attention, as well as your money. Therefore, you have to set an exact budget. Set aside more funds for things that are of higher priority, and don’t torture yourself – why would you aim towards a 20,000 $ venue when you can only afford the 4,000 $ one? You will both waste your time and destroy your mood.

What is included?

If you are aiming towards full-service venues and the ones that allow you to bring your own décor and staff, make sure you price everything out. Sometimes, a venue that is fully equipped with chairs, tables and linens can cost you less than a venue where you need to rent your own. This is why you have to compare the prices of a few rental companies and find the one that suits you best. Also, know that included rental items are often the most basic ones such as white linens and standard flatware, so you can still end up paying more if you don’t pay close attention to what is offered.

Does the venue fit your needs?

Here’s an example: you want to have your ceremony, cocktail-party and reception all in one venue, but that particular venue doesn’t have three separate areas. If that’s the case, check if they are offering you a “flip” option. What this basically means is that they will turn the room where your ceremony took place into a reception area, while you’re all attending the cocktail hour in another room. This way the venue will work for you just fine. Of course, it is important that you ask about the details: how are they going to do it, where are they storing reception tables and décor, will it require renting a fabric wall that will hide all these items, is the place appropriate for all weather conditions, etc. This way you will be able to predict any additional costs.

Location matters

Would you be okay with providing transport for all your guests? If all of your guests are driving, does the venue have enough parking space? And is that parking free? Transport expenses can leave quite a dent in your budget so don’t neglect them. Always opt for a venue that is easy to reach. If you are an Aussie living in Sydney, you are lucky, because Sydney wedding venues are simply amazing.

Keep it authentic

Lately, many websites such as Pinterest and Instagram, are having a huge impact on people’s choice of both a wedding venue and wedding theme. It is usually because they fall in love with all the amazing photos and decide to copy the sceneries for their own special day. Remember, this is your wedding, the most important day of your life. It should reflect your tastes, and it should be the day you two are going to remember forever. Your choice of space, wedding dress and everything else should be a representation of who you are.

Do you have any other advice for finding the perfect wedding venue? Let us know in the comment section below.