15 Things to Consider Before Choosing A Wedding Venue

Where should you start when deciding how to choose a wedding venue? After all, this is one of the first and most important steps in the wedding planning process. Since the wedding venue sets the backdrop for the entire event and locks your wedding date, it is important to finalize it before moving on to other details.

The sooner you can start looking at venues, the better chance you will have to find one that suits your needs and will also be available for the dates you want. Getting started early also gives you the opportunity to view many wedding venues so that you have a better understanding of what you are looking for and what is important to you.

When focusing on how to choose a wedding venue, there are many factors to consider such as venue size, location, parking availability options and more! Finding the venue of your dreams is a tricky process, so we have put together tips on what to consider when choosing the right place for you and your special day.

things to consider before choosing a wedding venue

1. Match Your Wedding Theme

If you are going for a rural setting, you probably do not want to celebrate your wedding in a luxury hotel. Or if you have a black-tie affair, the barn is probably not your best bet. To achieve a cohesive aesthetic and feel, you will want to consider how all the elements of your wedding will fit, from your stage to all your wedding decorations and menu options. For some inspiration on finding the right wedding style for you, check out our creative ideas for backyard, rustic, beach or bohemian themed weddings.

2. Make Sure Consider the Size of Your Guest List

This will ensure that you select the appropriate size for your guest list. Having a very large stage with a small guest list can make the space seem a bit empty. Your guests can hit the elbows on the dinner tables and dance floor.

Estimating how many people will attend your event is also crucial in knowing how tables are set up and how to configure your available space. If you need some guidance on how to create your wedding guest list, we have created a detailed guide to help you navigate the process in a simple, stress-free way.

3. Choose Surrounding Area and Nearby Facilities

Think about how close it is to a popular airport, to nearby hostels (or if there is accommodation on stage), and if the area feels safe. For example, if you choose a secluded castle or barn in a rural area, guests may find it difficult to get close accommodation. If you are getting married in the city, say at the museum, think about the safety of the guests around you to go to the venue.

4. Are there Indoor and Outdoor Options

Since the weather is unpredictable, if you want to have an outdoor venue it is worth asking if there are cover or indoor options in case of bad weather like rain. If the platform has both indoor and outdoor options, you can always have Plan B, which is easy to implement. Make sure you also like the backup indoor option, as you actually need to use it.

Keep in mind that some basic outdoor options can provide a large tent that can be pulled down to prevent rain. You just have to ask. If you are planning a winter wedding or spring wedding, keep this indoor versus outdoor consideration in mind. You may also want to look at some historical temperatures for your date and location to learn how to choose the most reasonable wedding venue.

5. Are there Curfew or Noise Restrictions?

Be sure to ask if there are any noise limits. Public spaces, in particular, can run quiet hours after a certain time without respect for neighbors.

6. Choose a Common Location for Your Wedding

However, these days, your wedding can take place anywhere — the partner’s hometown, the city you currently live in, a favorite vacation spot, even a destination you’ve always wanted to visit.

There are some benefits to hosting a hometown wedding (convenience!), But destination weddings certainly have their perks as well (amazing background!). You will want to choose the first common place where your event will take place, as this decision will affect all the other details of your big day, from your budget to your venue choices.

7. Identify Your Budget

When it comes to choosing a wedding venue, one of the most important decisions you can make is how much you can spend in one place. And your venue and catering have been shown to compromise more than half of your wedding budget.

How much you spend on your venue depends on where you plan to get married — renting a venue in a major city can cost more than one in a more rural area. Talk to your partner and those who are financially supportive and loved for your big day and come up with a total budget – then divide that number in half to determine the amount you can spend on your venue and catering.

8. Define Where You Want to Get Married

Want to do a destination wedding? We do not blame you. Many couples go away for their weddings and give a good nudge to the wedding thing for a few days.

By reducing the areas where you are happy to get married, you will make the search for the venue easier for you. Consider things like accommodation availability, how far your guests are willing to travel and how much it will cost them. Check out the Regional Tourism website for major events that mean there is a shortage of beds for visitors and try to avoid those dates.

9. Ask Local Wedding Vendors for Their Advice

If you know where you want to get married but are having trouble finding the right venue, why not ask local wedding vendors? Above all, they have experience working at many local wedding venues and can point out some that you may not find.

10. Be Clear About what is Comfortable at the Venue

If you set your heart on a special caterer for your big day, it makes no sense to look for a platform that only works with the company you like. Find comfortable ones before you spend time. Do you have permission to work with your own vendors of your choice? Can you make the stage space DIY style? All of these should be taken into consideration when choosing your venue.

11. What is the Best Month to Get Married?

Many people consider it a lucky month to get married. June is also the best month to get married due to the mild weather. Other favorite months are May, August, September and October. Finally, the best wedding month is the season you like and yours as a couple.

12. Take Note on Parking Options

Especially if your wedding venue is in a somewhat secluded or busy downtown area it is important to check if there are good parking options or if a cab or ride share is available. Ask how many parking spaces there are and whether guests need to pay for parking. If there are no great options for parking, you can rent a bus or shuttle to get to the venue and pick up people. Make sure you include this expense in your wedding budget!

13. Read Multiple Reviews

Be sure to do your research on what people are saying about that venue. You can find information about the platform and other useful tips that you should not consider. Note the positive and negative comments on third-party sites such as social media sites and Google Reviews. Pay special attention to any public replies that the forum leaves for any guest reviews. It will give you insight into how they deal with the problem that arises in your marriage.

14. Visit More Than Once

Always look at your top platform options two or three times before you make a decision. And there is no rush to sign on the dotted line … Spend your time so your stage will influence every other choice you make regarding your upcoming wedding.

15. Make Sure You Get ‘the feeling’!

Do you know when the feeling of butterflies appears in your stomach and can you fully imagine walking on an unforgettable stage? That’s the ‘feeling’, and it usually means the right venue for you!

Frequently Asked Questions When It Comes to Choosing a Wedding Venue:

When Should You Book Your Wedding Venue?

It is a general rule to book your venue one year to nine months before your wedding. If your dates aren’t so straightforward, you can start looking a year in advance. It can take months to pick the right wedding venue, so be sure to set aside enough time for this process.

How Long will the Wedding Venue View Last?

Wedding venue views vary in length but usually range from 30 minutes to 1 hour. The size of the view, how detailed the platform coordinator goes and how long the view will last depends on how many questions you ask.

Who Should Attend the Wedding Venue Viewing?

Leaving aside the obvious, it is best to look at the wedding venue in as small a group as possible. It helps couples to focus on what they want, rather than anticipating too many different opinions. If an exception is helping someone provide a bill for the venue, it is a good idea to include them in this case and tell them.

We hope we helped you on your way to finding the perfect venue! Now that you know the basics to find venues by ability, type, style and location. Here you can also know your wedding planning, such as managing your budget, creating your guest list and booking your wedding photographer and the rest of your wedding party.