One of the very first steps of planning your wedding should always be choosing your venue. This will be a determining factor in so many other aspects of planning including nailing down your wedding date. It can be overwhelming to choose a location for your wedding because there are so many options. Venues come in different styles, amenities, and prices. How do you know which one is the right fit for your wedding? Here are a few things to consider when selecting your venue for your dream wedding day:
Photo by Rebecca Trip Photo
Is the venue available?
We cannot recommend booking your venue early enough. Because most venues can only host one wedding each day, the dates book fast especially if you are planning on a Saturday wedding. The earlier the better, but we recommend looking for your venue and booking around 9 months to a year in advance. Of course, when you do start looking, one of the first questions you should be asking is what dates they have available.
Budget and guest count.
Determining your budget and getting an estimate on how many people will be in attendance at your wedding are two big steps to make when choosing your venue. Venues have maximum capacities, so it is important to make sure that the venue you choose will hold all your guests comfortably. The number of people you invite to your wedding will also play a role in how much money you spend. The more people you invite the more invitations, table settings, centerpieces, party favors, food and drinks you will be paying for. The costs add up, and your venue will likely be one of the most expensive parts of the wedding budget. So, knowing both those numbers are good steps to make before entering into the wedding venue hunt.
Photo by Emily Chappell Photo
Figure out your wedding style.
Every couple has a different story, different personalities, and different visions for their dream day. It is good to start thinking about the style and overall vibe you want your wedding to have and to be considering that when you are visiting venues. Does the venue you are touring fit your style? Just because a venue is beautiful doesn’t mean it is right for you. Are you looking for something traditional, rustic, modern, opulent, simple, country, etc.? Figure out your style and that should help you determine if a venue is going to help in creating that style and aesthetic for your wedding.
Tour. Tour. Tour.
Book all the tours. Visit all the venues you are considering because seeing them in person, and meeting the faces behind them are so incredibly important. Pictures sometimes don’t do a space justice, and they can also be deceptive. See the space with your own eyes. Meeting the staff of a venue is important too. Are they kind and accommodating, do they make you feel welcomed? How they interact with you can give you an idea of how they interact with your guests and vendors. We also love tours because sometimes seeing it in person is what helps the most to choose your venue. Just like shopping for your dream wedding dress, sometimes you just know when it’s right. Seeing it in person and visualizing your day in the space is so important to the overall decision.
Photo by Lizzie Christine Allen
Compare packages.
All venues come with different amenities, different packages, different vendor options. Pay attention to all the details for each one and compare them. A more expensive venue may end up saving you money down the road depending on what they offer and include in the price. Some venues are full-service and require you to use their vendors or catering, while others just provide the space and allow you to bring in your own choice of vendors. Some venues even offer all inclusive packages where they bring in all the vendors you may need for your wedding. Some venues offer linens, decor, coordinating, or other specific items. Weigh all the options with what they include and decide what package is best for you.
Consider your guests.
When you visit venues, think about the overall experience. Are your guests going to be comfortable? Try to imagine what it would be like to attend a wedding at the venue you are touring. Look into how near hotel accommodations are for your out of town guests. Ultimately the venue you choose should be the one that feels right to you, but it is thoughtful to consider your guests’ experience as well. You want all your friends and family to enjoy your day alongside you.
While choosing your venue can be overwhelming, if you take these things into consideration we hope that the venue that is right for you will be an easy choice. Once the venue is booked and the date is set, all the other details can start to fall into place. Take a deep breath and enjoy the wedding planning season.
And if you are considering The Pearl at Sabine Creek, we would love to schedule a tour to show you all that our venue offers and see if we are the right fit for your dream wedding day.
Photo by CG Photography
