Congratulations – you’re tying the knot! But wedding planning can be stressful, especially if you’re not experienced at organizing and hosting events. The duo behind event-planning company Blast Events, Viviana Kohon and Namita Tandon-Walsh, recommends choosing a wedding venue (and booking it!) before going deeper into your planning.
Here’s their advice on the top five things couples should keep in mind when looking for a wedding venue.
Capacity
Venue capacity is important because you don’t want the place to look empty on event day, but at the same time, you can’t have more guests than the maximum occupancy the venue allows. If your venue happens to look a little too tight or a little too large, there are ways in which wedding planners can work their magic – either by moving things around, removing large sit-down tables, or incorporating more creative ideas into the space.
Location
Decide where you’d like to have your ceremony and reception. Some couples like to do them at the same venue, while others prefer having them at separate places. Whatever you decide, you will want to consider details such as onsite parking availability, convenience for travelling guests, and alternative plans in case of rain.
Rates
Some venues may look more appealing from a cost perspective upfront, but if you end up having to rent everything including chairs and tables, the outcome may be different at the end. Other venues may seem more expensive, but when you factor in all the services included in the cost, you might be surprised. Be sure to ask for a detailed list of what you get for the quoted rate and think about how customized you want your wedding to be.
Services
As mentioned above, price has a lot to do with the services included with the venue. Do you want a full-service venue that includes everything you may need, from catering, chairs, tablecloths, servers, etc., or do you prefer to carefully select everything yourself? Some venues include everything to give you a one-stop shop (and in some cases require you to use only their services), while others open it up for you create the night of your dreams with the vendors of your choosing. Perhaps, you’ve always wanted your favourite restaurant to cater your wedding. If something like this is a priority, make sure it’s an option with the venue you’re interested in.
Look and Feel
Another important thing to keep in mind is the vibe you want your wedding to have. There are a variety of options out there, including formal versus industrial and modern versus traditional. When considering the vibe, remember to factor in details such as lighting, tablecloths, and chair covers. You may also want to consider the layout of the room and how people will flow through it. Will it work with the vibe you are trying to achieve? Consider what different areas of the venue may be used for.
Once you have the venue booked, then you can really start diving into the planning process to create the perfect day together.
Do you have any questions or tips about choosing a wedding venue? Let us know in the comments below.