How do you find a wedding venue? The wedding venue industry was worth a whopping $51.2 billion in 2021 (despite the lingering effects of the pandemic). But despite the sheer range of choices, many couples still find it challenging to find a venue that they love.
This post is here to help. In it, we uncover the secrets of finding the perfect wedding venue to get married for both you and your partner. Check out our ideas below.
Be True To Yourselves
While Pinterest weddings might look spectacular, you don’t have to emulate them. In fact, it’s often better if you follow your instincts and stay true to yourself. You want to feel like you own your wedding, not that you’re playing a role in someone else’s.
Ask yourself what you truly value and what makes you feel good. Go with your existing preferences and desires, not something imposed on you by social media. If you can start with a blank canvas and work from there, find out what services you are really looking for. This will give you a start on how to find a wedding venue.
Budget Accordingly
Wedding venues can sometimes bewitch couples, enticing them to spend more than they have in their accounts. They become so emotionally attached to a specific location that they stop thinking rationally about their finances.
To avoid this, budget first and then go looking for venues afterward. Decide how much you can afford to spend ahead of time and then impose strict limits on yourself.
Remember, venue costs will only be a small percentage of the overall price of the wedding. Be sure to budget for all your items in advance, diverting funds, where necessary to things that are higher priority.
Looking for our venue’s detailed pricing? Check here.
Make A Note Of What’s Included
Wedding venues are not the same. Some merely provide you with a rentable space, while others include other perks alongside.
When comparing wedding venues, always look for what they include in the price. For instance, you might think that a venue costing $5,000 for the day is cheaper than one going for $6,000. But when you include all of the additional freebies of the second option, you soon discover that it is considerably more affordable overall.
Ask the venue whether you will need to rent out banquet chairs, flatware and linens separately. Also, check whether they offer in-house catering and how this compares to using third-party companies. Include taxes and gratuities in your calculations.
Consider How The Venue Will Make Your Guests Feel
Getting married in a temple at the top of a mountain might sound ultra-romantic, but in many cases, it’s not practical. Elderly guests or those living with disabilities will find it hard to get it to.
Similarly, you might want to get married in a nightclub, but will all your guests really enjoy that setting? Probably not.
While it is your wedding day, considering how it makes guests feel is critical. The better their demeanor, the more likely the day will be a joyful and fun experience for you as well.
Think carefully about the type of facilities that your guests will want. Find venues that offer plenty of outdoor space, bars, and high-quality bathroom facilities. Look for options that offer comfortable seating, particularly for elderly guests.
Check That The Venue Matches Your Wedding Theme
A disconnect between your wedding venue and theme can be a little grating. For example, hosting a woodland realm-themed wedding in a downtown hotel probably won’t work. Or if you want your big day to be a black-tie affair, getting married on a farm could grate.
To get around this problem, decide what’s most important to you: the venue or the theme. If it’s the venue, think carefully about the aesthetic styles that would complement it. Ask the venue themselves what’s worked in the past for more guidance.
If it’s the theme, choose this first and then find possible matches afterwards. Mismatches can grate.
Choose A Venue With Accommodations
If coming from out of town, finding a venue that offers their own accommodations may be an important part in finding a wedding venue. That’s why so many weddings take place in hotels.
However, if the venue doesn’t offer on-site rooms, make sure that there is adequate accommodation nearby. VIP guests – such as the mother of the bride – as well as guests who’ve traveled a long way, need places to stay. If necessary, you can fall back on Airbnb or arrange transport that takes guests to hotels in the nearest city.
Check On The Privacy Level
How much privacy you demand from your wedding venue is largely a matter of personal preference. Some couples are okay with sharing venues with members of the public, so long as they have a separate area for the wedding ceremony and reception. Others insist on having the entire place to themselves – something that can push up the price considerably.
How do you find a wedding venue? Before you hire the venue, walk around and check the overall level of privacy that it offers. Will you be in a walled garden? Or will the reception be visible from the main road? Could strangers snoop on you from afar, or are you well away from the rest of civilization?
Pick A Venue With Accessibility Options
People living with disabilities might be attending your wedding (including you). For that reason, it’s critical to learn more about the venue’s accessibility arrangements. Some are exceptionally good in this regard, but not all.
Venues should work towards full ADA compliance. Check for:
- Functional elevators
- Accessible entrances (with ramps)
- Bar grips in bathrooms
- Disabled parking options
- Attendants who can assist with accessibility requirements
Even if nobody attending your venue has an official disability diagnosis, there will likely be people in attendance with mobility issues. Grandma and grandpa, for instance, may need extra help getting around.
Check Curfew Restrictions
Lastly, make sure that the venue allows you to party in the way that you’d like. Some establishments may prohibit loud noises or partying after certain times at night – say 11 pm.
Wrapping Up
When figuring out how to find a wedding venue, finding the perfect venue is always a compromise. There will be some criteria that you simply can’t fulfill. However, venues are getting better at offering couples what they want. Always book early to avoid disappointment, this will help you with how to find a wedding venue.
