Your venue is usually the first big domino to fall. Once it's booked, your date, your vibe, and a big chunk of your budget all start lining up around it. So it's worth getting right! Here are five things to think about before you sign anything.
← Guides
Start with your budget
The venue eats up a big slice of the budget, and a lot of them bundle in extras like catering or rentals, so the sticker price isn't always the full story. Look at a few before you fall for one, just so you know what's normal for your area and you don't overpay for something you could've found down the road.
Match the style, layout, and size
Your venue sets the tone for the whole day, so pick one that already feels like the wedding in your head. A modern loft and a rustic barn pull your florals and your photos in completely different directions. Then get practical about it: does it comfortably fit your guest count, is there somewhere to get ready, is there room for a ceremony and cocktails, and what's the plan if the weather turns?
Think about location
Where it is matters more than people expect. Check the parking, how far it is from where your guests are staying, and whether there's anything nearby worth stepping out to for photos. The easier a place is to get to, the more of your people show up relaxed and on time.
Ask what's actually included
Two venues at the same price can be wildly different once you look at what comes with them. Tables and chairs, catering, a bar, sound and lighting, a suite to get ready in, all of that changes the real cost. Get the full list up front so you're actually comparing like for like.
Go see it in person
Photos online only tell you so much, so book a tour, and if you can, go around the same time of day and season as your wedding. That's when you'll see how the light really falls and how the space actually flows. If you're torn between a couple of places, visit twice. It's a big decision, and it's worth the second trip.
Nail the venue and the rest of planning gets so much easier. Take your time with this one, it pays off everywhere else.
Date
January 18, 2023