Wedding Locations: Top Tips to Make Your Dream Venue Search Easier

January 23, 2020


How did you go about finding a wedding venue? Or are you currently on the hunt? Share you thoughts in the comments below. 
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Did you recently attend a wedding and reveled in amazement at the spectacle of their reception and venue? That's great but keep in mind that what works for one couple might not be the best for you. 
You'll need to consider several factors when picking wedding locations. 
The good news is we're here to help. Learn more about finding a location for wedding receptions and ceremonies with our guide below:


1. Discuss With Your Wedding Planner
Before you visit places, before you even look any venue up online, discuss things with your wedding planner — if you have one. Not every couple hires one but if you do, take advantage of their knowledge and experience.
Planners already have a knack for understanding how to work a venue. Let them know what you aim to achieve and they can quickly figure out whether or not the venues you'll end up listing work for or against these goals. 
Your planner might already have a list of great Wedinspire venues prepared, places they already rented for other couples. Take some time to go over their usual venues and check if any of them satisfy your needs.
2. Know the Date
This is perhaps one of the most crucial steps when picking a venue. Finalize the date of your wedding.
Availability is going to affect the price of the venue, after all. You can expect higher fees if you aim to rent the venue during the summer and on the weekends. You can expect lower prices during non-peak seasons. 
The date will also help guests determine whether or not they can attend. This comes into play later on and we'll discuss that too. 
3. Stick to a Budget
You should also finalize your budget. Doing this ensures you won't list down venues that are outside your financial scope. Yes, it also means you might have to scratch off some places you initially wanted or even dreamed about because they cost too much. 
When figuring out your budget, make sure to leave an allowance for unforeseen costs. Some venues won't charge for wine until after the wedding night since it's likely you'll have to request for more bottles than initially planned. You might need to pay for an extra hour to use the venue or for more parking space.
4. Finalize Your Guest Count
The budget for your venue will mostly account for three factors: space rental, catering, and the number of guests. 
Venue owners/managers won't be able to give you a proper estimate of the costs until you have a guest list. You need to know how many people will attend so that they can compute how much you'll pay for catering. 
Don't settle for quick text messages or chatting online. Send formal invitations, even if it's only via email, and include an RSVP with a deadline. This ensures you get responses by a certain date. 
Still, leave room for 5-10 more guests. This gives some allowance for your planner and the venue managers.
5. Stick to Your Theme
Don't include a hotel reception hall if you aim for a beach wedding or a garden reception. This might sound obvious but many couples end up compromising their theme and goals and settle for the most affordable or most convenient venue available.
Stick to your theme and fight for it. 
Again, talking to your planner can be a big help. Let them know you want an evening garden reception with tons of string lights and a folk band! Let them know you want to accommodate 150 people but still keep it intimate. 
They can work their magic to find venues with you, venues suitable for the theme you want.
6. Consider Convenience and Comfort
Got a few venues in mind now? Listed a few places that jive with your theme and fit with your budget and guest list? 
Now it's time to scratch off those that don't offer a good level of convenience and comfort. Safety also falls in line with this. 
If you found a few outdoor venues, do they have a tent or a hall at the ready in case it rains? How large is the area and can it accommodate the number of guests you want? Is there air conditioning, sufficient restrooms, and escape hallways or windows in case of a fire, earthquake, or other emergencies?
7. Lighting & Audio
Lighting can make or break a wedding. It sets the mood and can make the venue look like a grand, romantic setting or make it look cheap and empty. Lighting can also affect the quality of photos and videos, especially if you hire professional photographers. 
Audio is another important aspect some couples forget to check when scouting wedding venues. You'll want to check if the audio equipment is up to date, if people at the back can still hear the music or mic, and if there's no annoying static coming from the speakers.
8. Food Is a Priority
Now you found all the places that fit your theme, are within your budget and meet all the other parameters. The next step is to eliminate choices based on their catering options.
You should prioritize venues that offer catering over those that don't. The latter requires you to hunt a separate catering service and that can lead to a whole other world of headaches. 
Taste-test the food. Check how much food each guest gets and how much you'll pay for their services. Make sure to check if the cost estimate also includes the wedding cake, desserts, a snack bar, and alcoholic drinks.
Pick the Best Wedding Locations Today!
Choosing the best wedding locations isn't going to happen overnight. You'll need to take all these factors into consideration and work things out with your partner, venue managers, and wedding planner. However, you can make the process easier and smoother with these 8 tips.
But why stop here? If you want more wedding planning tips or lifestyle tips in general, feel free to go through our other guides today! Continue to discover our other content!