Alright, you’re engaged. CONGRATS! Now it’s time to start the planning. One of the first things you will want to get booked after you’ve selected your date, or if your date is flexible, is to decide on a venue. There are so many things to consider and it can easily get overwhelming, so we’ve broken it down a little bit to hopefully make selecting a venue less stressful for you!

1. Guest Count. You are going to want to at least have an approximate number of guests that you will be inviting to your wedding. Venues are limited by the size of their space and number of exits, per fire code, as to how many guests you will be able to fit in the venue. Keep in mind that while it may sound like a great idea to max out the number of guests in a space, it may cause things to feel over crowded. Many venues will have sample layouts that will allow you to get a general feel for how crowded things will be when you reach the maximum number of guests. If it looks like it’s going to be really tight, you may want to find a larger venue. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you choose a large venue with few guests the venue may feel empty. Check out the layout and see how you feel about it.

2. Location. Determine your location or general location.

3. Your Theme. Do you have an aesthetic you are looking for? Something more rustic? Something more modern and contemporary? Something with neutral colors? We are fortunate to have many venues to choose from and there seems to be new wedding venues popping up all the time. From renovated factory buildings to renovated barns to brand new contemporary spaces there’s something out there for everyone.

4. Budget. Now that you’ve narrowed down the list of venues by capacity and aesthetic you’ll want to explore your budget. Once you’ve established budget you’ll want to narrow down your venue options by the venues that fit into your budget.

   -When looking at venue costs and fees you’ll want to find out what is included in their rates. Some venues will require you to rent or supply all of your own tables, chairs, linens, etc. and others will have this included in their rates.

   -You will want to also take into consideration if you need to hire outside caterers vs some venues charge you per person which includes their meal ditto all of this for drinks! Do they have an onsite bar with their own bartenders? Or do you need to hire your own bar tenders and supply the alcohol and drinks yourselves?

5. Amenities. Is an onsite hotel important to you? For most this isn’t always a deal breaker, but it is something to consider. Many local hotels offer a free shuttle service when you book a certain number of rooms in your block and if not you can always hire a shuttle service for your guests so they don’t have to drink and drive. What about an outdoor space? Or if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony does the venue have an indoor backup location available in the event of bad weather? Does your venue need to be pet friendly? If you are planning to have your fur baby involved in your day you are going to want to check if they are allowed and where are they allowed on the property. Do you need to get ready on site? If so, you will want to check to see if they have a bridal or groomal suite for you to use.

Now that you have a list of 4-5 venues in mind you will want to contact each. Make sure to include your list of questions. Make sure to include: your date or flexible date range, your guest count, and if there are any ‘musts’ on your priority list make sure to ask about those. If that all goes well and you are still interested in the venue you it is important to schedule a tour of the venue. Do you need a space to get ready? You’ll want to check out their bridal and groomal prep rooms and make sure they are big enough for your wedding party. Check out the overall aesthetic once you are there, don’t be afraid of asking too many questions.

Once you find your venue you will be required to put down a deposit and sign a contract to reserve your date. Take the time to read over the contract so there are no surprises later on. The contract should lay out a fee schedule, what the venue will provide for you, date(s), time(s), and what is required of you. Some venues require you to do the cleaning and you need to be out at a certain time, while others are more full service. This isn’t something you want to be a surprise the day of. Make sure you note the payment schedule. If all is well go ahead and give it a sign then pop the bubbly because you’ve just crossed a HUGE one of the to-do wedding planning list! Congrats! Do a little celebration!

I hope this was helpful for you! If you have any questions or additional advice I would love for you to put it down in the comments! I’ll get back to you within 24-48 hours!

Cheers,

Kristy

The above photos were taken while second shooting for Colleen Bies Photography at Oneida Country Club. Planner: Sash & Bow Florist: Buds ‘n’ Bloom