Congratulations on your engagement! One of the most important decisions for your perfect wedding is choosing the right venue. The perfect venue sets the tone and feeling for your entire wedding day. Do you want a fairytale ballroom setting or a rustic barn? 

Once you’ve decided on the overall feel, there are a few key things to keep in mind when touring venues. The right venue will set the tone for your entire wedding, so it is important to take the time to find a location that reflects your style and personality. Let’s look at three factors to consider when selecting your perfect wedding venue. 

Respect Your Budget

While it’s important to have a beautiful wedding venue, it’s also important to allocate your budget wisely. Depending on whether your venue includes food and beverage will help you determine how much of your budget should be allocated towards the perfect venue. 

If your venue includes food and beverage, you should allocate 40% – 50% of your budget to the venue. However, if you are opting for outside catering, you should put 35% – 45% towards the budget. 

A great venue can be $1,000 or less. You have to make it work with what you have available. You won’t have enough money to put towards other details like clothing, invitations, floral decor, and more if you spend too much on your venue. 

Keep in mind that a wedding is about more than just the venue. It’s about the food, the people, the music, and the love. Allocate your budget wisely and enjoy your wedding day! You may have to get creative with how you use the space and what kind of furniture you rent, but it’s important to work within your means so that you don’t come away from your wedding day feeling like you broke the bank.

Understand Your Venue’s Surroundings

Each venue type has different considerations, so it is important to do your research before making a final decision. By taking the time to think about all of the details, you can ensure that your wedding day is everything you have dreamed it would be. 

The venue you choose for your event can make a big difference in the overall experience for you and your guests. If you are getting married in a barn, you need to make sure that there are no fire hazards and that the venue is clean and safe. 

If you are getting married downtown, you need to consider the parking situation and make sure that your guests will be able to find a safe place to park. 

Did you know that decibel levels (dB) can be mandated by local government and if you are celebrating on a rooftop, your music can only be so loud? A whisper is 30dB, and a normal conversation is about 30dB. An airplane taking off is about 130dB. Most likely your rooftop celebration will top out around 70-75dB. Consider this because it would not be a great time to have your party crashed and ended early by local authorities. 

Contact a Wedding Planner

Hiring a planner is an investment, but it can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. And hiring a planner before you start your venue search is the best way to go. Your wedding venue is your home location. It is the place that will become the backdrop of your celebration. To find the right location, choose a place that fits your style and theme. A wedding planner will know the questions to ask a wedding venue even if you don’t. There are things you should consider beyond the location like additional fees, maximum capacity, onsite catering, and more. 

Talking with a wedding planner before you begin your search will help you limit the number of venues you visit and not overwhelm yourself with too many options. A good wedding planner will also help negotiate contracts, ensure that vendor documents are in order and be a source of calm on your big day so that you can focus on enjoying yourself. 

The Perfect Wedding Venue’s Must-Haves

It is important to consider what your wedding venue includes. Of course, you need a place to have the ceremony. This is one of the most important wedding must-haves. You will want an indoor or outdoor location to say your vows and give your guests an opportunity to witness this special moment. 

It is also important to have a cocktail hour and a reception location. Some people choose to get married in one location and have the reception in another, but if you are considering your guest’s experience as part of the planning process, keeping everyone in one location is ideal. 

Another wedding must-have is somewhere to take additional photos. Oftentimes, couples will want ready rooms, storage space, inclusive decor items, tables, chairs, and linens at their disposal. While some venues will have all of this included, others won’t. It is important to consider what wedding must-haves are important to you when selecting your wedding venue.

As any couple knows, choosing the perfect wedding venue is essential to having a successful wedding. There are hundreds of factors to consider, from location to maximum capacity to the venue’s character. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know how to choose the right one for you. 

The key is to do some research in advance and know what you want to present to your guests. Once you have a clear vision of your ideal wedding, you can start narrowing down your options and selecting the venue that best fits your needs. By taking the time to find the perfect venue, you can ensure that your wedding will be a truly memorable event.