Does The Venue Require You To Use Their Vendors
When booking wedding venues, some will require that couples use their specific list of approved vendors. This is usually because they have worked with them before and trust them, but if this is the case, youll definitely want to research those vendors as well. Just because a venue is great does not always mean their preferred vendors are great. Make sure that they align with your style, vision, and that you feel comfortable also hiring them. Also be aware of their prices so youre not hit with any surprises later on.
Expand Your Online Search
The internet is a valuable tool and definitely should be put to good use as you search for the ideal spot. Start by entering unique wedding venues near me into your browser and see what pops up. The closest and/or most popular will be displayed first, which means itll take patience for you to sift through the results to find a hidden gem.
Another way to search is by looking for special event spaces that are not necessarily wedding specific. Not all venues promote weddings as their top engagements, but are still available for rental for all kinds of celebrations. Thinking of your non-traditional wedding from an event aspect broadens the possibilities for the types of spaces that are available. This is especially true if you have a smaller headcount for your guest list. To find places off the beaten path, youll have to be ready to dig a little deeper.
Bonus Tip: Schedule Wedding Venue Tours On A Single Day
When you have a nice narrow list of wedding venues that youd like to see, schedule your venue appointments on a single day! This saves a lot of time instead of scheduling random appointments all over town, you can be more efficient to save yourself even more time and energy.
Pick a day that works for you and partner, block it off on your calendar, and schedule all your venue appointments on that day. Space your appointment times strategically based on each venues location . When that day comes, youll be able to drive from one venue to the next with ease and youll be in a better position to compare the venues. Easy, right?
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Can We Hire Outside Vendors
Why you want to ask: This is a prime question to ask wedding vendors because some may have strict rules around which outside services they allow on their property. The wedding vendor might have a preferred list of vendors you can choose from, while others could require lengthy contracts for outside vendors due to liability issues. If you are already eying certain catering services, be sure to ask this question prior to booking your venue.
How Easy Will The Experience Be For Guests
I know your wedding is really all about you and your partner, but its important to consider your guests experience when it comes to the venue. Is it close to hotels and restaurants? If you have lots of guests coming from out of town, think about how far the venue location is from the airport. Is there plenty of parking at the venue? If there is no parking and its not within walking distance from guests lodging, you will need to provide some sort of transportation for them, which will cut into your budget. Thinking about these details in advance will help your guests have a smooth and stress-free wedding weekend.
Read Also: When To Send Save The Dates And Wedding Invitations
Figure Out Your Budget
When it comes to how to choose a wedding venue, one of the most important decisions youll make is how much you can spend on a space. And it turns out that your venue and catering will compromise about half of your wedding budget. In the U.S., couples spend an average of $5,400 on their venue alone, with most couples spending between $2,700 and $10,500not a small amount by any stretch. How much youll spend on your venue really depends on where youre planning on marryingrenting a venue in a major city will likely cost more than one in a more rural area. Talk to your partner and any loved ones who may be contributing financially to your big day and come up with a total budgetthen divide that number by half to determine the amount you can spend on your venue and catering .
Sign On The Dotted Line
When you and your partner have agreed on your desired venue, ask to receive a contract. While it can be really easy to breeze through a contract and just sign it without much thought, a venue contract is definitely worth a close read. Dont be afraid to ask the venue coordinator about any portions of the contract that confuse you, and be sure you understand the payment schedule. When you feel comfortable with all aspects of your venue contract, sign it, return the paperwork to the venue, and pop some bubbly! Youve officially made whats arguably one of the most important decisions youll make during your wedding-planning processand thats definitely worth celebrating.
Kim Forrest
Kim Forrest has been writing about weddings for over a decade, specializing in etiquette and… planning advice. Kim writes and edits much of the content youll read on WeddingWire, and also manages our team of freelance writers. Kims love of the wedding space first blossomed when she was an assistant editor at Washingtonian magazine in the mid-2000s . She became WeddingWires first full-time editor in 2012. Kim is originally from Long Island, New York and currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and two children. She loves baking, yoga, ballet, theater, trying out the latest skincare fads, and listening to podcasts on a variety of random topics.
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Now Youre Ready To Find The Right Event Venue
After you find the right venue with the help of this guide, you can be certain your event will be an influential part of any winning business strategy.
Take it from us, it never hurts to be over-prepared. Join Social Tables on and , and share a story about how you used one of these tips to save an event.
Up next, discover the best floor plan layout apps to help bring your event to life in your selected venue.
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Elegant & Stylish Venues
If you want to feel like a Princess on your wedding day, then these are the venues for you. Wake up in a four poster, throw the curtains back and gaze over the rolling grounds of the estate before lounging in a roll top bath with a glass of Champagne in hand. Make an entrance by sweeping down the staircase in your gown. There aren’t many occasions in life to be the lady of the Manor – so if you want to milk it for all it’s worth, you go for it.
Display A Balloon Arch
Elisa Lopez Photography,The Balloon Bar
Bring youthful flair to your wedding reception with a balloon arch. Put it around your entrance to guide guests in the right direction, or use it elsewhere, like above the bar, around the sweetheart table or as a photobooth backdrop. You can even use it as the wedding arch during your ceremony for a playful touch.
Read Also: What Goes First Engagement Or Wedding Ring
A Sophisticated Backyard Wedding In Connecticut
A wedding producer at Fête NY, Allison Aronne has years of experience planning weddings, but planning her wedding to Ryan Beauchamp was that much more special of a job. And through her industry connections, Aronne found the perfect location for their nuptialsher boss, , stunning backyard in Kent, Connecticut. With a gorgeous backdrop for their ceremony and the most beautiful tent set up on the lawn for dinner, this backyard wedding left no detail untouched.
Create A Lounge Seating Area
Give your guests plenty of seating options with a cozy lounge area. Mismatched seating is an up-and-coming wedding trend that’s easily attainable at your reception. Some rental companies may offer lounge chairs, chaises or couches to enhance your reception space. Upgrade the space with thoughtful accents like throw blankets, printed pillows and textured poufs to invite guests to sit together when they’re not dancing. Think of your lounge area as an extension of your wedding theme. Search for furniture and accents that match your wedding color palette to make it look polished and intentional.
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How A Wedding Planner Supports You Finding The Right Venue
Searching for a venue can set the tone for the wedding planning experience. Since you are most likely at the beginning stages of this journey, this could foreshadow how you find whatever is next on your list. What is important is that you and your partner feel at ease when signing that contract. With a wedding planner, you get an extra boost of confidence in your decision-making.
Wedding planners and coordinators know all the secret spots that arent advertised as venues. Some possibly being your dream location. Many places nowadays even require a planner/ day of coordinator. How their minds work is by seeing the big picture. They consider the logistics, the delivery process, access for vendors, and can calculate extra costs that might come up on the spot. All of this with one visit. They think about how the venue can accommodate the flow of your event from beginning to end. With a wedding planners experience and a list of networks, you and your fiancé are assured to enjoy wedding planning!
George Peabody Public Library
With space for 170 to 200, depending on seating, the George Peabody Library at John Hopkins University in Maryland is absolutely dreamy. Host your wedding amongst the stacks in this storybook setting. Rental fees are certainly pricier on Saturdays, but if you’re open to a Friday or Sunday wedding, or even a weekday, you can rent this beautiful space starting at $5,000.
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San Francisco City Hall
Yes, the stunning San Francisco City Hall may scream luxury wedding venue, but you dont have to rent the building for the entire night. Host a simple celebration Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. with up to 100 guests for $1,000. Sure, its more expensive than a civil ceremony at the Office of the County Clerk , but the setting and the history make the investment well worth it.
Prioritize Your Wish List
When it comes to your dream reception, what are the two or three most important elements? The food? The bar? The location? The capacity? The date? The price? Determining early on what youre not willing to make concessions on can help you prepare in case you need to compromise elsewhere.
For example, if youre flexible on the date, most venues offer reduced pricing and/or lower minimums on Fridays and Sundays. Or, if your No. 1 venue is booked on your No. 1 Saturday, ask them if they have any alternate Saturdays available.
Youll also need a good sense of the guest list before you begin your venue search. Be sure to check the venues capacity. If youre inviting 400 people, for example, you wont want to bother looking at reception spaces that can only seat 100.
And your budget will affect your guest list. Most venues price their receptions per-person. So if your No. 1 venue is also the most expensive, you may need to make some tough decisions about whether your sisters friends cousins ex-boyfriend is going to make the cut.
Read Also: How To Plan A Wedding Under 5000
Here’s How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Venue
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While pretty much every aspect of a wedding is optional, from wearing a suit instead of a dress to ditching the flowers to forgoing the wedding cake, there’s one thing you can’t skip: a venue. After all, you’ve got to have somewhere for your friends and family to gather and celebrate.
But finding the perfect venue isn’t easy. There are so many options to choose from, whether you’re looking for a stunning barn, an elegant ballroom, a cozy restaurant, or a quiet stretch of beach. So we asked a few wedding planners to share their top tips for finding your dream venue.
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How To Find An Affordable Wedding Venue Of Your Dreams
Do you want to impress your guests with an extravaganza wedding venue with luxury chandeliers, silky linen, and extraordinary décor ?
Are you Looking for Affordable Wedding Venue?
On average couples used to spend almost $12,343 and $14,006 let alone their wedding venue and take up 50% of the whole budget of the wedding. But with smart planning, you can save this money to use for the long run in the future rather than splurging hefty money for 2 to 3 hours of reception.
By picking an affordable wedding venue and add personal aesthetics to the event you can give your wedding non-traditional touch. Dont overthink and feel ashamed if you go for an affordable wedding venue. And trust me you will enjoy your reception when your guest will get amused with something different to experience at a wedding.
If you are searching for how to find an affordable wedding venue then the simple answer is: Marry off-season. There are many vendors who offer a discount as winter deals on per head price so think about getting married upcoming winter. Saving money on the venue doesnt give the impression that you are not excited about the big day. Here are few gorgeous yet affordable wedding venue ideas that you can consider to cut the budget of the venue. We will help you to find ways how to get a cheap wedding venue without sacrificing a perfect wedding event.
