Choosing a good wedding venue is half the battle. But finding a great wedding location can be very difficult. Be prepared to visit several places before you find the perfect one.
It is important to make a thoughtful choice, as about 35-40% of the wedding budget will go to the venue. This amount usually includes rent, menu and buffet costs, corkage fee and service on the day of the event.
Your Right Choice!
Why is it so important to approach the choice of a wedding venue responsibly and thoughtfully? You should not give preference to the first option that you liked or that suited your budget. The location is the most important component of the concept of the entire wedding event.
You should know that a wedding location is also a general picture. The quality of photos and videos depends on how colorful and picturesque it is, on the amount of natural light.
Of course, you can always set up high-quality light. But it is much easier to immediately look for a wedding location that 100% matches all your ideas, does not complicate the preparation process, and does not increase the budget.
Wedding Venue Options
For some reasons, some newlyweds are sure that a wedding can only be organized in a restaurant or cafe. In fact, there are many more options. Here are the most popular wedding venues:
- Tent
- Resort
- Hotel
- Restaurant
- Banquet hall
- Mansion
- Country club
It is worth choosing a wedding venue that perfectly matches the concept of the event. Then you will not have to cover up its features with décor, which only inflates the budget. Keep in mind that an elegant manor or an exquisite restaurant is ideal for a classic wedding, an open area is ideal for a rustic wedding, and lofts are ideal for a party-style wedding.
Remember that the venue should match the chosen color scheme as much as possible. If you have planned a wedding in light, airy tones, but choose a location with a red interior, then keep in mind that decorators will spend kilometers of light fabric and a ton of money to cover it up.
What Should You Do Before Searching For A Site?
Before you start looking for a wedding venue, make sure that a few conditions are met:
- The concept of the wedding has been determined;
- The exact budget for the event has been established;
- The number of guests has been determined and approved;
- Own wishes were taken into account.
Also, be sure to assess the capabilities of the invitees in advance. Guests should also be comfortable. If many guests from other cities are coming to your wedding, make sure that there are hotels near the wedding location.
Keep in mind that when there are many elderly relatives at the event, it may be too problematic for them to travel several hours to a luxurious country location.
Compiling A Shortlist Of Locations
To put together a complete shortlist of wedding venues, it is important to decide on several aspects in advance:
- Menu preferences;
- Conducting an on-site registration or refusing it;
- Approximate number of invitees;
- The importance of having a body of water nearby or holding a ceremony near one;
- The most attractive style, the preferred interior.
It is also important to know whether you will go to the registry office on this day, or only the celebration will take place at the chosen site. It is also worth considering where you want to hold the event: in the city or in nature. For all these and other criteria, a wedding planner can send a free selection of sites for your wedding.
Where To Start Searching For A Wedding Location?
What should you base your choice of wedding venue on? First, evaluate the options online, then make a list of places that suit you at first glance. If you have already made a mood board and selected references, refer to them.
Assess how much your ideas about the ideal wedding correspond to the chosen locations. Check social networks, but keep in mind that the photos were already taken with table setting and décor, and in real life everything may be slightly different.
You can find a suitable wedding venue on the event management company’s website. Serene Event Center offers a large list of popular restaurants, banquet halls, event venues, varied in price and diverse in design.
Things That Are Important To Decide On In Advance
Of course, no one chooses a wedding venue based on social networks. You will have to evaluate several places and view about 5-10 locations. But before you go to the first viewing, you should clearly know a few things:
Wedding Date
The date for which you need to book the wedding venue. Please note that in most cases the price may vary depending on the day of the week.
Number Of Guests
Always ask how many seats a particular venue can accommodate. Keep in mind that guests should not just fit in. They should be provided with comfort throughout the entire wedding event. Also remember about various activities.
Budget Of The Event
Decide in advance how much you are willing to part with to rent a wedding venue. When viewing, ask the banquet manager what exactly is included in the rental price: furniture, dishes, textiles, cleaning.
Sometimes you need to rent some areas for an additional fee. You should also consider that some venues, in addition to rent, set a minimum deposit for the order. This is the amount for which you will need to order food and soft drinks during the celebration.
Read more “Corporate Event Venues: How To Choose The Right One“.
Restrictions And Prohibitions
Each wedding venue has different conditions. Some places prohibit the use of candles for decoration. Others prohibit launching fireworks or bringing your own alcohol. Find out all these points in advance so that there are no bitter disappointments later.
Conditions For The Kitchen
If you have your own kitchen, then check how the menu is approved. Sometimes you are offered to choose from a specific list. In this case, check the average bill per guest. In other places, they may offer to create a menu together with the chef. But be sure to agree on a tasting!
Rent Of The Selected Site
So, the main issues are resolved! Lists of attractive locations are compiled. What’s next? View! When viewing each venue for your wedding, evaluate:
- Presence of conditions for bad weather;
- Degree of route convenience;
- Parking spaces;
- Quality of access to the site;
- Number of air conditioners and their proper operation;
- Wardrobe;
- Possibility of menu tasting;
- Menu options or catering for guests;
- Time and conditions of closing the site;
- Cost of additional hours;
- Presence of corkage fee;
- Cost of additional hours;
- Permission for fire shows, fireworks and sparklers;
- Permission to invite your own contractors;
- Availability of a children’s area and menu;
- Conditions for early installation of décor;
- Arrangement and decoration of the site for the wedding;
- Holding other events on your date.
Also evaluate how much light there is in the room. See if the venue is hidden from prying eyes. Are there any nearby places where other newlyweds can hold an event on the same day as you?
It is important to evaluate the staff in advance. See what the waiters look like, how the manager works, how delicately and tactfully they communicate with visitors.
Pay special attention to the condition of the furniture and the interior as a whole. How the ceremony area is played out on the site, how spacious and free it is. Is it convenient to approach it?
Be sure to evaluate the condition of the restrooms, how clean and comfortable they are. See if there is enough space for competitions, dances, show programs and various activities. Is there a place for launching fireworks or a fire show?
Evaluate whether there are dressing rooms for artists, contractors, musicians. How convenient and cozy these rooms are. It is also important to evaluate the technical side of the wedding venue:
- Heating guns;
- Air conditioners;
- Separate refrigerator for cake;
- Lighting options;
- Optimal number of sockets;
- Electric generators;
- Possibility of installing decorative elements.
Don’t settle on the first event venue you see. Look at several options. Compare them and only then make a choice.
Questions To Ask Your Manager
When viewing the site, be sure to contact the manager. To understand how suitable this location is for you, ask him a few questions:
- What restrictions apply to the wedding venue?
- How many people does it hold?
- For how long can the site be rented?
- Are drinks included in the average bill?
- How much do additional services and hours cost?
- What is the corkage fee?
- Can I bring my own alcohol?
- Is service included in the rental price?
Do you still have doubts? Then do not make an advance payment. No one should pressure you or rush you. Continue searching for a location for the most important day of your life until the place suits you 100% in all respects.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Wedding Venue?
Signing The Contract
Once you have decided on a wedding venue, proceed to signing the contract. No verbal agreements! And be sure to carefully study the document, separately considering:
- The ability to adjust the number of guests invited;
- Conditions for refusal of location due to force majeure;
- The possibility of extending the rental on the wedding day and its cost;
- The time when contractors will be able to decorate the site for the wedding and bring the necessary equipment and machinery.
The contract must specify the amount of drinks and food per guest, corkage fee and the total cost of rent, the date and time of closing the location. It is equally important to specify the technical equipment, parking and entry conditions, all additional prohibitions and permits.
The contract should also indicate the most important obligations for you on the part of the venue and the contacts of the responsible manager who will work on the day of your event. Decide on the prepayment in advance. Specify by what date the remainder must be paid, or request a payment schedule.
Study the contract drawn up with the owner of the venue or his representative as carefully as possible. Do not sign the document and do not make an advance payment for the rental of the wedding location until all the most important points for you are added to it.
Consider the recommendations for choosing a wedding venue, and then you will be able to find the most spectacular and comfortable venue!
