How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Venue

How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Venue

You met. You fell in love. He proposed. Now it’s time to plan the wedding and usually the first thing to get nailed down is the venue. The options are seemingly endless…from elegant ballrooms to rustic barns to sandy beaches and everything between!

We’ve compiled a few tips to help you find the perfect location to say your “I do’s”.


 1. What is your budget? A good place to start is to figure up your wedding budget. Break down your overall budget by category, prioritizing more funds for things that you absolutely don’t want to compromise on. If you select your venue first, and then realize it's more than you should have allocated, it's an uphill battle to stay within your budget when you still have a dozen other people to hire. Knowing how much you have to spend will help narrow down your search.

2. Consider your guests’ needs. Are a lot of your friends and family from out of town? Consider a venue connected to a hotel or close to lodging to make the event seamless for your guests.

3. Talk to a planner.  There’s a reason so many people hire wedding planners. A lot of times they can help connect the dots of your wedding vision. They have a knack at thinking about out-of-the-box venue ideas. Planning a modern wedding? They might have a hook-up at a local art studio. Plus planners are much more familiar with the capabilities of a space, the layout, and the time and items you'll need to really transform it.

4. Come up with an estimated guest list.  You don’t have to know EXACTLY how many guests you’re having when you choose your venue, but you should atleast have a general idea. And keep in mind, it’s easier to fill too much space than to try to cram extra guests into a small space; so go bigger than you think you’ll need, but never smaller.

5. Do you! Stay true to yourself. If you’re a laid-back country guy and gal, don’t book the Ritz (unless that’s really what your heart desires). One of the best parts of a wedding is having it be a true reflection of the bride and groom. Choosing a venue that fits you, will enable your guests to feel more connected to you and the wedding. 

 For those of you who area already married – where did you choose to get married? What are your tips?