Congratulations! You said “yes” to your partner and you’re in the early stages of wedding planning. If you’ve narrowed down your list of dream wedding venues and are almost ready to sign on the dotted line, there are a few things you should consider. Your venue will be your largest expense and the decision that dictates many other details to follow. How do you narrow down your favorite wedding venues? Start by asking the right questions. Consider your answers below to these 10 important items to consider before you book your wedding venue.
1. Decide Your Wedding Budget
The average couple spends around 15-20% on a venue. It could be more if the venue includes additional services. When you meet with your venue, tell them your total budget for the venue, not your total wedding budget.
2. Select Your Wedding Date & TIme
Before you can book your wedding venue, you need to have an idea of what month and what time you would like your wedding. Some starting points include a special date to you as a couple – the first day you met, your first date etc. The most popular, and expensive, months of the year are May, July and December. If there are important friends or family members you want there, you might want to run the dates by them to make sure there are no schedule conflicts.
3. Decide on Guest Count
Tell your venue how many guests you plan on inviting early on. It’s likely that more than 80% of your guest list will attend your wedding. The average number of wedding guests in the U.S. is about 120 people – but it is your decision if you want an intimate, average or large wedding. We recommend that you start with a list of everyone you can think of inviting and start trimming the guest list down from there. Another item to consider is if you want children at your wedding or reception and to plan accordingly.
4. Take a Site Visit
If you plan on getting married in December, but you are doing your site visits in the summer months you need to be considerate of a few items. Does the venue offer the same charm, aesthetic and lighting during your wedding month? You can always ask your site coordinator for wedding photos or do your own research to make sure you know what you’re getting.
5. See if the Venue Is Full Service
A full service wedding venue usually offers everything from table and chair rentals, to linens and catering supplies. A venue that is not full service usually offers you the space and it is up to you to fill in the rest. This means you will be responsible for booking all of the vendors for the wedding day. Either way, some venues have required vendors that they want you to work with, so that is something to figure out before you book. Working with venue-required vendors such as caters, rental companies, and event designers does not give you the option of “shopping” around and finding a quote that meets your budget. In-house vendors also usually offer very basic options for chairs, linens, etc. It may be worth the spend to impact the appearance of your wedding reception.
6. Decide on Wedding Theme/Style
Taking into account what style wedding you want will help you choose the venues you need to visit. Many couples think that they don’t need to decide on a wedding style early on, but we think it is one of the most important decisions. If you already have a venue in mind, think about colors and themes that would look good at that venue. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration for wedding themes by season, colors and more.
7. Think About Rainy Weather Options
We know all things pop up unexpectedly – including the weather. We always say plan for the worst and expect the best! It’s important to have a rain plan. Whether that means moving your ceremony indoors or calling a local tent rental to get pricing on a last minute tent, make sure you know your options ahead of time.
8. How Late Can the Party Last?
Many wedding venues have noise restrictions. A 10pm outside music curfew is the most common. If you plan to party late, be sure to inquire about an indoor after-party space or what your options are for late night music. If the venue has to give you the boot at 10pm, it may not be the place for you. Make sure you know the rules so you can plan everything accordingly.
9. Where Will Your Out of Town Wedding Guests Stay In Relation to the Venue?
If you are planning to have a lot of out-of-town guests, it might be best to look for a venue near hotels. There are many nice hotels with large banquet rooms for wedding receptions. There’s nothing worse than the family of the bride and groom being late because they got lost trying to get to the ceremony or reception. Always try to have a room block and place helpful info such as area hotels, rates, and distance from the venue on your wedding website.
10. Is There Another Wedding or Event in Your Space on Your Wedding Day?
Ask the venue if they are hosting any other events that day, where they are taking place, and what the timing of those events are. In our experience, an event takes about 2-3 hours to set up prior to guest arrival. If you move forward with a venue that has multiple events taking place, make sure your florist, rental vendor, wedding planner, and most importantly your photographer know that they will have a tight time schedule to work with. Congratulations, you’re ready to book your event! If you need help with any or all of these steps above, 84 West Events is here to make your wedding day dreams come true regardless of how soon your plans are for. Call 84 West Events today at 954-236-9000 or drop us an email at Celebrate@84WestEvents.com to get started today!
