The New Bride’s Guide To Wedding Venues
Sep 11th, 2008 by Eran Malloch
One of the most important parts of your wedding ceremony is the venue, but there’s more to choose from than there used to be. Instead of just getting married in the local church, many couples are opting for different wedding venues, including outdoor weddings, special locations and more.
The popularity of informal and nontraditional venues is growing. Many couples are choosing to skip the standard reception and go with one that expresses their personalities better. Themed weddings are a big part of this trend, leading to a large number of couples picking a venue that matches their theme.
However, no matter what venue you choose, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before making a reservation. They include your preferences, budget, and how many guests you can accommodate in a given venue, as well as the amenities that may or may not come with the venue.
It’s a good idea to spend no more than a third of your wedding budget on the venue. Some choose to allocate more to the venue, however, and other couple spend a lot less. You may find that non-traditional venues are much less costly than a traditional reception center. The other side of the coin is that unusual wedding venues won’t be as experienced when it comes to hosting weddings.
Talk about how much you can spend in advance, and set a firm budget before you make a reservation. When giving consideration to conventional venues, ask about package deals that can help you save money.
When a venue doesn’t provide entertainment, food, or drink, remember that you’ll need to factor in the cost of those. Little things can add up, so it’s important to be prepared for extra expenses.
When deciding on a venue, first narrow down your choices. Do you want an indoor wedding, or one that’s outside? If you’re planning to be married outdoors, you should also plan to have an alternate indoor wedding venue in case of inclement weather.
Do you have a wedding theme? You can choose an appropriate venue for just about any kind of wedding. Outdoor settings are particularly appropriate for Western themed weddings or those with a Medieval flavor. For others, you may wish to choose interesting local buildings.
Then, if it’s a non traditional venue that you’re thinking about, take a look at what’s required to use it. Find out if you’ll be responsible for cleaning up afterward, or if you’ll need to make special arrangements for use. Consider distance, too. Your friends and family members will also have to travel to attend your wedding.
Think about venue size, too. The wedding venue you choose must be able to accommodate the number of people you’re planning to invite, without being so large that they feel like marbles in a shoebox. If you’re planning to have a DJ or live music, they’ll need space for their equipment, and space for dancing will be required, too.
Of course, it’s important to do more than just ask the venue sales staff how many they can accommodate. Find out how the tables and space will be laid out, so that no one gets stuck in the hall or another inconvenient space. Not all wedding venues gracefully accommodate crowds.
Also, be sure to book well in advance once you find your perfect wedding location. Make sure you have a receipt, and be certain that everything is well organized. That’ll ensure that there are no problems with the venue, allowing you to concentrate on your special day.
