8 Steps to Choose a Wedding Venue You Will Love
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Choosing a wedding venue is one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding. The venue sets the tone for the rest of your day. It influences the invitations, the dress code, the decor, even the transportation and the food.
Even though it may be overwhelming, there are many ways to narrow down your options and find the location that's perfect for you. Here are my top eight tips for selecting the perfect wedding venue:
1. Start your search early.
It's best to start looking for venues as soon as you have nailed down your budget and hired a wedding planner. I usually recommend at least one year in advance. This gives you enough time to book a venue, plan your wedding and get ready for the big day without feeling rushed.
Also, keep in mind that you may actually be looking for a couple venues: one for the ceremony and one for the reception. Possibly even the rehearsal dinner and a brunch (these two can usually come a little later though).
2. Establish your numbers and priorities.
When you start your search there are a few numbers you will want to keep in mind: your budget and guest count are the two biggies. Work with your fiancé, family and wedding planner to determine your budget and the breakdown of how you plan to spend your money.
Write out an initial guest list to guide your search. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough space so guests won’t feel cramped, but also not so much space that they get lost.
With your budgeting you will have likely already gotten some idea of your priorities. Keep those in mind now, but you can also go a step further. Imagine how you might want the perfect venue to look. For example, do you imagine it to have a modern, industrial feel or is it more classic and elegant, or maybe casual and coastal? There may be other features on your must-have list, like having guest rooms on site, customizable catering, being pet friendly, or offering a late curfew. Those priorities will be personal, so think it through and write them all down.
3. Choose a location.
Please Note: By “location” in this instance, we mean city, state, or region. Not venue. Just decide on the vicinity that you will use to search.
Before narrowing down venues to tour, you’ll want to start thinking about whether you prefer a wedding in your hometown, where you currently live or some other world class destination. When making this decision, you may also want to consider where your guests will be traveling from and how easy it will be to get to your location of choice.
It can be a wide or narrow filter, although we recommend somewhere in the middle, unless one of your priorities is directing you one way. Maybe you’ll only consider venues in “Holmdel, New Jersey” or maybe “New York City” or the “Jersey Shore.” If you’re really flexible you can go bigger saying “New Jersey” or even “Tri-State Area,” but in those cases we recommend a very clear vision for the style of venue you’re looking for (see #5).
Pro Tip: #4 and #5/6 are reversible
One question we get a lot is what comes first: the date or the venue – it depends on priorities.
If you have a specific venue that you couldn’t live without then you may need to be flexible on the date. Alternatively, if you have a specific date that is important to you then you might need to be flexible on the venue. If neither is true, then we suggest selecting a date range you’d be happy with first.
4. Choose a date range.
The date range may come down to your priorities. So if you have that nailed down, skip to #5.
Weather may play a factor in the season you pick. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, do some research to find out what the weather is like during the time of year you are hoping for, especially if you are planning on part of the event being outside. Rain and snow, as well as heat and cold could make you and your guests uncomfortable if not planned for properly.
If you're planning a spring or summer wedding, you may have the advantage of temperate weather and nature's beautiful pastel colors. But if you're looking to avoid the heat, fall may be your best bet, which will come with its own beautiful, natural color palette. Winter weddings are beautiful too (just think snowflakes!).
When thinking about dates you would like to consider, also make note of any dates you’d definitely prefer to avoid. These days venues are getting picked over very quickly, especially for prime weekend dates (typically May-October). You will have more flexibility if you choose an off-season date, or opt for a weekday.
5. Choose a wedding venue that fits your style.
Choosing a wedding venue is an important decision, because it will be the backdrop for your pictures and memories. You want to make sure that your guests have a great time, so choose a location that fits your style. Remember to keep in mind how much space you need and how many people you want there.
Think about the style of wedding that you envision. It's important that each aspect of the event reflects who you are as a couple and what is most meaningful for you.
We worked with a couple who got engaged on a beach in California. That day they carved their initials in a large piece of driftwood. The beach was so meaningful for them as a couple that having their wedding there became their top priority.
Another couple met at an art gallery opening. It became their tradition to visit a gallery every year on their anniversary, so they decided it would be most meaningful to host their ceremony at an art gallery and then flip the space for their reception too.
For types of venue there are endless possibilities. A hotel or resort might be ideal if you're looking for something a little fancier with an elegant ballroom. Country clubs offer a naturally classic feel. Historic landmarks can be memorable and many locations offer outdoor spaces that are unique in their own right (think gardens), it'll be easy for everyone in attendance to appreciate the beauty. Private homes are often overlooked, but can offer a truly personal experience. Wineries can be incredibly romantic settings. Beaches can be chic and fun, but also bring a natural beauty that you can’t get anywhere else.
And, of course, there are many more options available to couples who are looking for the perfect wedding venue.
6. Select 3-5 venues to tour first
Now that you have narrowed down a style, we recommend selecting three venues, but no more than five, in that style and scheduling site tours. With any luck you’ll find your dream venue in that bunch, but if they don’t feel right, trust your gut and keep looking.
One of our past couples thought they wanted a vineyard wedding. We toured 10 different venues that were all beautiful, but just didn’t feel quite right. The couple ended up with a tented wedding on the family estate, which was filled with personal touches making it the perfect fit.
Make sure you ask these questions when attending each site tour:
How many people/tables does the space accommodate?
What is the distance from the ceremony?
When can we get in to set up and how many hours does the rental cover?
Are there any restrictions for decorating?
What is the cancellation policy?
Are there any additional fees?
Is there a required vendor list or are outside vendors permitted?
Can we bring our own decorations, and rearrange existing decor as necessary?
7. Consider how you will decorate.
The venue is often a blank slate. You have the ability to design everything from scratch, or you can choose to hire an event planner who can help you create a beautiful design scheme.
If you’re having a laid-back party in an urban loft, then it probably doesn’t make sense to spend thousands on floral arrangements or crystal chandeliers—but if your dream is an elegant white ballroom affair with ivory tablecloths and gold accents, then decorating may become one of the most important parts of planning this event!
As you tour your venues, be thinking about what you might like to decorate, placement of things like the dance floor and tables, as well as the guest experience in general.
8. Do your research, but trust your gut.
As you and your partner start to consider venues, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure you both have the same vision for your big day. Don't feel rushed into making a decision – there are plenty of places out there! If one place doesn't fit what you're looking for, just walk away. Don't compromise on your dream venue; it's worth waiting for the right spot.
It can be challenging to envision what a venue will look like on your wedding day, which is why it is important to take a lot of things into consideration before making a final decision about where to get married.
We hope these tips will help you find the perfect wedding venue. If you're still unsure about what type of place is right for you, contact us and we'll be happy to assist!