Things to consider before booking your wedding venue

It can basically be whatever location it comes to your mind – a private villa, modern hotel, beach, lake shore, rooftop… You might not see it this way, but your venue choice will set the tone for your wedding more than your dress, flowers or food. Considering the endless number of wedding venue options, you really need to think about some important questions before you make the final decision.

Here are some things that need to be considered before booking your wedding venue:

THINK ABOUT THE LOGISTICS

Picking out the venue usually comes in early stages of wedding planning while you`re still excited and overwhelmed. Remember to consider the logistics of the venue, as it might save you big money through the process. Keep in mind how many guests you’ll have in order to fit in the venue, are there accommodation options, is there outdoor lighting, what about air conditioning, backup space in case of rain… In this phase you don`t need to have an exact guest count, but you`re going to need a rough idea. Be particularly careful when choosing outdoor wedding venues.

WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE

There might be venues that charge a great deal of money only for space rental. Make sure you check what does the fee include – some venues offer everything from table and chair rentals to linens and catering supplies, while others only offer the space and it is up to you to fill in the rest.

Don’t assume anything’s included, especially if you visited the venue that is set up for another wedding. That couple might be paying extra fees for chair covers or glamorous centerpieces.

If you getting a space rental it means you will be responsible for booking all of the vendors for the wedding day. Some venues have required vendors that they want you to work with and that doesn`t give you a chance to research and finding a quote that meets your budget.

EQUIPMENT QUANTITY AND STYLE

Make sure there is enough glasses and cutlery available, all from the same line. You don`t want ending up with different vine glasses on each table. The best option is to actually see the equipment that will be used. It might sound surprising, but there are venues that will put out chipped or in any other way unacceptable utensils.

MATCH THE VENUE TO YOUR WEDDING THEME

When choosing a venue, take into account the look & feel you want to achieve. A vineyard might sound romantic and appealing, but if you`re looking for an urban hipster style wedding it`s definitely not the greatest choice. You also might be able to save on decoration if you choose the right venue that suits your wedding theme.

BRINGING YOUR OWN VINE AND SWEETS ISSUE

You can save a great deal of money if you bring your own vine, even if the venue charges a corkage fee. But make sure to check that with their Food & Beverage manager as it is not allowed in most venues.

HOW LONG CAN THE PARTY GO ON

It will usually depend if you have exclusive use of the venue or there are there guests staying on the property. Sometimes there might be additional charges if you want to keep the party going after midnight. In other cases, there might be no exception because of noise restrictions.

CANDLES AND SMOKING INDOORS

There are some venues (museums, art galleries, national parks) that don`t allow open flame. Make sure you`ve checked that before paying for your fireworks.

IS THERE A CLEANING CREW

Do not just assume this will be provided by the venue at no extra cost. You`ll need the venue cleaned up before and after your wedding, but also a stand by crew during the party. Make sure it is stated in the contract when you sign it.

Make sure you get answers to these questions before booking your wedding venue and you’ll save some money and energy. What was your trigger when choosing the place to get married? Let us know if you have any other venue questions!