We’ve previously shared with you some thoughts on how to be inspired by your wedding venue and select a space that best reflects you and your partner’s style and vision when it comes to your celebration.
Today, Belle of the Ball Events founder Eva Clark has prepared for us some questions to help with the decision-making process.
Questions to ask yourself when selecting a wedding venue
– What three words would you use to describe your ideal wedding day?
This will usually shed some light on your vision and help provide direction in your venue selection.
– How do you imagine the space feeling?
Similarly, what words would you use to describe the atmosphere and feeling of your wedding venue? Is it light and airy encompassing coastal views? Or is it an intimate and cozy Winter lodge?
– What is the ideal setting?
Will the ceremony be at a house of worship or at the reception venue? Is it important to you that the space is climate controlled? A wedding under the stars sounds lovely till you end up with temps in the 90s and mosquito bites.
– What do you see yourselves wearing, as well as your guests?
Are you dressed for the beach, or a ballroom, for example.
Once you’ve established how your wedding venue should look and feel, it’s time to consider some of the more practical elements.
– How many guests will you have?
It’s important to have a general idea of how many guests you’ll invite as some of your favorite venues may not be able to accommodate your list of loved ones.
– What is your budget and your priorities?
You may be able to afford the ballroom wedding of your dreams if you are able to keep your guest count below 100. Along those lines, you may be able to book your favorite photographer, priced at $10k, if you know you won’t be purchasing a $5k designer gown.
– Is it really “free”?
You may have a free venue, like a friend’s estate, but be mindful that more work from your vendors (which usually translates to more money) is required to bring the wedding to that space.
– What contractual obligations come with your venue?
Some venues, such as hotels or private clubs, require you to use their in-house catering for food and beverage. A good rule of thumb is that you don’t want your venue, food and beverage to exceed 50% of your entire budget. If that doesn’t add up, it may be time to move on to another option.
– Does the vision match the reality?
Websites can be deceiving and the space may not feel anything like it looked online. Or you may love the venue and hate the neighborhood or parking options. If you are planning a wedding from out-of-state, and you are unable to tour the venues, enlist the help of a loved one and/or your wedding planner.
– How soon should you book?
Many popular wedding venues book up months (or a year) in advance, so don’t wait too long to book once you’ve determined it’s ‘the one’.
