Three Things You Absolutely Need to Consider When You’re Choosing a Wedding Venue

One of the biggest decisions a couple has to make when planning their wedding is choosing the venue. It’s one of the largest expenses and plays a huge role in setting the tone of the wedding itself. Whether you’re looking for traditional or unique wedding places, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when you’re picking the place you’re going to tie the knot. Here’s a short checklist of things to look for in the best places to have a wedding.

1. Is the venue going to suit the theme and feel of your wedding?
You should absolutely visit any venue you’re thinking about before you make any decisions to be able to get a good sense of the mood and the atmosphere of the place. When you do, you should be thinking about the feel you’re going for with your ceremony. Is it small, intimate, and informal? Or is it big, solemn, and formal? The overall feel of the wedding should inform your choice in venue.

2. Can the venue accommodate all of your guests?
When you visit a venue, you should also make sure you’re thinking of logistics. What kind of altar are you going to need? How many people are you going to seat? Are any of your guests going to need handicap accessibility? Make sure that you go over all of these things with the manager of the venue to make sure that they can accommodate you. Some of the best places to have a wedding reception and ceremony have an outdoor space — 35% of weddings are outdoor occasions, according to Hudson Valley Weddings. Outdoor spaces are more adaptable than indoor spaces.

3. Can you hold both the wedding and reception there?
It’s also worth considering whether or not you can hold the wedding and the reception there. The average budget for the ceremony and reception alone is upward of $28,000 and most venues that can accommodate both are less expensive. Additionally, places that can do both a ceremony and reception can provide the catering as well, which is also generally less expensive than the average $1,184 spent on rehearsal dinners and the $457 spent on wedding brunches.

What are you looking for in a wedding venue? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!