How to choose the perfect wedding venue for your big day.
Did you know records of wedding ceremonies date back as far as the 13th century?
Back then, instead of weddings, they would refer to the ceremony as a “bridelope”. The old English word, “bridelope”, describes the moment after the reception, when the bride embarks on the journey to her new home.
Are you ready to run off into the sunset with your partner? Your wedding ceremony and reception set the tone for how you’ll step into your new life. Will you be running off happy and elated, or exhausted and stressed?
Create a Wedding Venue Checklist
The first step you need to take is to make a wedding venue checklist. Choosing the right venue can be an emotional experience, and you’ll want to avoid getting caught up in the moment. Having a list of your venue requirements will serve as a helpful guide while you search for the perfect location.
There are 2 main things your preliminary checklist should include.
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Budget
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Availability
Write your list in a way that you can quickly filter out locations that won’t meet your needs.
Make an Honest Budget
The very first thing you’ll need to find out is your budget. Sit down and talk with your partner about how much you can afford to spend on the wedding. What type of theme or setting will fit into your budget?
Knowing what both you and your loved one want, will make it easier to narrow down your options. You’ll also be able to cut out expenses that don’t matter to either one of you.
With your budget in hand, you’re ready to start checking prices. When you’re looking at a potential venue, look to see if they have any wedding packages.
If they do include packages, ask for a detailed list of everything the package includes. Will there be any hidden fees or extra costs?
Oftentimes, locations will have preset fees if you go over your allocated time. You’ll want to know every single possible expense to avoid any costly surprises.
Don’t worry about coming across as rude, or interrogative, as you ask your list of questions. The company should be happy to help because it’s your right to be thorough when picking a location.
After creating a theme and budget for your ceremony and reception, you’re ready to pick a date.
Checking for Availability
Do you want a vibrant spring wedding or a rustic fall themed day? Summertime weddings are excellent if you’re having an outdoor wedding.
Yet, keep in mind that the peak season for weddings falls right between the end of spring and the beginning of fall. So if you’re planning on having a wedding in the summer, you might have to reserve the location years in advance.
When you find a venue within your budget, the next step is to check for availability. If possible, it’s best to pick a date range, rather than one specific day. Having a range of dates that will work gives you a lot more flexibility and options.
The time of year you have your wedding will play a big part in supporting your theme and flower options. If you are dreaming of a tropical paradise themed wedding, the busy summer months will obviously be your first choice.
However, if you’re working with a very tight budget, you might want to consider having your wedding during the offseason (winter). Rental fees are usually lower during the off months and you might be able to negotiate lower vendor prices.
Explore Catering Options
Now you need to find out if you can have the wedding and reception in the same place. Some venues accommodate for both the ceremony and the reception, while others don’t.
Having the ceremony and reception in one location can make the entire day more enjoyable. Once you determine if the venue will work for both events, you can start thinking about food.
Venues that provide catering options are a major convenience. Having a wedding caterer means you and your partner will be free to enjoy each other, and your guests.
After finding out the catering rates, ask for a list of the food items they’re capable of preparing. If you have vegetarian guests, you’ll need to check if they have any non-meat options.
Certain venues will have connections with vendors, and as a result, they can get you discounted rates. However, you’ll need to do some homework to find out if the vendors they support produce quality work.
Sometimes companies will selfishly promote vendors to receive personal kickbacks. Luckily for you though, a quick internet search of the potential vendor’s name, is an easy and fast way to look for customer reviews.
If you do find customer reviews, make sure you read several of them. One bad review or one great one isn’t enough to base your decision off of. Instead read at least 10 different reviews before making your choice.
Family Owned Venues
When you’re reputation is on the line, you’ll have more motivation to produce quality work. That’s why family-owned venues are capable of producing some of the best services.
Avanté Banquets would love to help you enjoy the ultimate wedding experience. We are passionate about exceptional service for any sized wedding. We can serve all of your needs, whether you’re hosting an intimate group of less than a hundred people or a large 500 person event.
We offer wedding packages with exquisite four-course meals and open bar options. To book our wedding venue or inquire about pricing, please reach out to us, using our contact us page.
