There are a few factors to consider when selecting a venue for your wedding. Venues can range from small, intimate settings that can fit just a couple of close family members and friends, to large venues that can host hundreds of guests. The following guide will help you select the right venue for your big day!
1. Destination.
Where do you want to go? What are your interests? This is the time for you and your fiancée to discuss it. If one of you wants a destination wedding, but the other does not, you should come up with compromises that may make everyone happy. The main thing to consider when considering a destination wedding is travel expenses. If you have money, weddings in Greece are extremely popular right now, so you can find amazing venues in Greece for a gorgeous wedding. If you are a little short on money, you may want to consider staying in the area of the wedding for a relaxing honeymoon.
2. Cost.
Your budget should be discussed before you start looking at venues. There are many options when it comes to budgeting for your wedding, but you will need to decide what is most important to you and how much you are willing to spend on each aspect of the big day. For example, while food, music, and decorations are all important aspects of a wedding, they can also eat away at your budget if not planned carefully. Some people only have enough money for one or two parts of their wedding (venue and catering or photography and DJ) and that's okay! You don't want to go into debt over your wedding any more than necessary.
3. Intimacy.
Do you want your wedding to feel more like a party with friends and family, or do you want it to feel more intimate? If you have a big group of friends and family but still prefer an intimate setting, consider having the ceremony in one place and the reception in another, or invite-only a few guests for the meal portion of the evening. If you're not bothered by a smaller guest list, a venue that can fit a handful of people may be more what you're looking for. It's all about personal preference!
4. Food & Drinks.
Where will your food be coming from? A caterer, restaurant down the street… is there even anywhere near the venue to get food before your big day? This is also an important factor in selecting a venue. If you are planning to have dinner at the reception, make sure there will be somewhere nearby for guests to eat beforehand if they choose.
5. Music & Entertainment.
Where can your DJ or band be set up? Will there be proper sound equipment available? How about space for dancing? Is there an area where people can go and talk if you're having a band that's too loud for conversation? Make sure that whatever music/entertainment you want, the venue has it! You don't want your dance floor emptying out halfway through your last song when everyone decides they'd rather chat in another room.
6. Decorations.
Where will you put the decorations? If it's a large venue with high ceilings, will you have enough space for your decorations or will that take away from your ambiance? You can have gorgeous centerpieces without needing to take up the entire dance floor if you look for unique ways to decorate, such as suspending decorations from the ceiling, adding tall candelabras at every table, or floating votive candles in mason jars in a nearby body of water! There are so many options to explore when it comes to decorating.
7. Covered Areas / The Weather.
Do you want an outdoor wedding? Make sure there is somewhere undercover for guests if it rains or snows! Also, make sure that the venue has a backup plan in case of inclement weather (such as heat, hurricanes, or frost). You may want to ask your guests to dress for summer weather, but what if it suddenly gets cold? Make sure there is a fireplace on-site if needed.
8. Personal Touches.
What kinds of personal touches do you want at your wedding? There are many things you can add to a wedding space, such as rugs and throw pillows from home or flowers from your garden! This is also a great time to bring out some special objects that have been passed down from family members for good luck at weddings throughout the ages. These little details will add so much character and warmth to the new place where you will be saying, “I do.”
9. Lighting.
What time of day will your wedding start? Will you have plenty of natural light to work with, or will you need extra help from lamps and chandeliers? The ambiance created by lighting can really make or break a wedding reception, so it's important to consider what kind of mood you want for the event! If something seems off, don't forget to ask your venue about adding more lights or moving existing fixtures.
10. Can the Venue Accommodate Your Guest List?
Finally, take a look at the seating arrangements available for your ceremony and meal. This is also where questions like “how many guests?” should be considered. Find out if your reception will be a sit-down dinner and take note of the number and size of tables. The last thing you want is to run out of space for your guests! Your venue must be able to accommodate the exact number of people who will be in attendance on your big day in order to avoid overcrowded or under-crowded conditions that could become uncomfortable for all involved.
Why should you plan your wedding carefully?
After all, it's your special day! Believe it or not, you are actually planning more than just that single day. You are also tying the knot with your spouse-to-be and laying the foundation for the rest of your life together. That is why it is so important to take care when making decisions about your wedding venue. The right location can make or break your entire event (but hopefully in a good way!).
If you want your wedding to be a success, it is absolutely crucial that you choose an ideal location for the venue. You should consider anything from size and layout to decorating options. An organized, well-thought-out plan will help guarantee that things go according to schedule on the day of your special event.
