How to Find Wedding Venues Perfect for You
Heading to find wedding venues will be the foundation for every aspect of your big day. This is true from the overall theme to the team of vendors you choose. Understandably, it is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in the wedding process. How to choose a wedding venue is not one to take lightly.
This is an updated republish of an existing post.
4 Tips on How to Find Wedding Venues
When you first get engaged, there are two things you’ll find yourself doing. Staring at the sparkly rock on your finger and dreaming up every possible vision for your wedding.
It may be tempting to start pinning every centerpiece you can find. However, there’s one puzzle piece that you need to put into place first: going to find wedding venues!
Here are four tips on what to look for in a wedding venue that will create your wedding dream come true.
There are several factors to include when choosing a wedding venue.
1. Calculate your limitations when you find wedding venues.
When you start shopping for venues, it’s important to be armed with the knowledge of your boundaries. Namely, your budget and your guest list. Neither has to be set in stone just yet, as they’ll likely change as the process goes on.
However, it’s important to start out with a ballpark guest count and an estimated budget. Those figures will help you find affordable wedding venues that can accommodate your event.
It’s a waste of time to look at a space that holds 75 when you’ll have at least 150 guests. There’s no point falling in love with a $10,000 venue when your total budget is $15,000.
2. Make a list of what to look for in a wedding venue.
Before going on tours, be sure to create a list of wedding venue must-haves with your partner. Consider whether you need the space for a 10-piece band or you must have a bridal suite to get ready.
Know your personal limitations and factors to consider when choosing a wedding venue. It’s important to have these on the top of your head so you know what to look out for as you shop for the right space.
Have a list of questions to ask wedding venue before booking.
3. Ask about wedding venue requirements for size.
You should go to your tours with a list of questions to ask wedding venue before booking. We all know that selecting a location that is too small for your guest list is a no-no. However, not many realize that booking a space that is too large is also discouraged.
If you plan to have a total of 100 guests, a venue that can fit 500 people will feel too empty and open. Find wedding venues that hit the sweet spot right around your estimated guest count. That will make it feel just right.
4. Know how to choose a wedding venue package.
Cost is certainly important. However, you’ll want to weigh it against what is included in the package. It may seem like affordable wedding venues are a better choice for your budget. Although take a look at what else is included.
Possibly low budget wedding venues come only with the bare minimum. However, a more expensive property may include rentals and lighting design. You may find that choosing the pricier venue will be more cost-effective in the long run.
Know what to look for in a wedding venue, including what the location provides without charge.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue
With all of these considerations in mind for finding a wedding venue, don’t forget the most important question to ask. Can you picture getting married there? Trust your gut! Choose the wedding venue that speaks to you and your partner – you won’t regret it.
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Photos: Ksenia Chernaya, Samantha Gades, Jeremy Wong, Mat Brown,
Such great advice for brides! As a former bride & current videographer, I realize more than ever that the venue is one of the most important decisions you can make! It definitely sets the tone of the day and if you choose the right venue, your overall budget shouldn’t hurt too much, as there won’t be any need to add extras to make it beautiful. 🙂
Thank you so much, Megan! I appreciate your input, and yes the venue definitely does determine the overall feel. Great point!
This is so helpful! I really had no idea what I was looking for. We ended up looking at 2 places and fell in love with the second.
I agree with all of these tips when it comes to looking for a wedding venue – especially the fact that you have to have your budget and guest list figured out before you fall in love with a place! Great post for newly engaged couples!
These are some wonderful tips on picking out the most perfect wedding venue! It can be tricky and a bit frustrating as well!
The VERY first thing we did when we got engaged was choose our venue. It helped us put a budget into place because once we knew the cost of the venue, it made it so much easier to figure out the rest. Plus it gave us the date because we had to work around their openings. It’s just the best way to go about it. You’ve got great tips here on “shopping” for a wedding venue!
This is so interesting! We had a small ceremony last weekend outdoors but we’re planning on having a big wedding party whenever we can host 100+ people in one place. We were lucky to have a free venue (my husband’s aunt’s 10-acre home has hosted many weddings in his family) but it would have been so much work looking for a venue otherwise!
Yes to all of these tips! When I was hunting for my venue two years ago, I first figured out approximately how many guests and what our budget was. It helped narrow down the options so we could choose the best venue for our wedding.