4 minute read
VENUE 101
Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE
SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE
Venue shopping lays the foundation for your entire wedding design. With everything from location to logistics to consider, and a slew of opinions to sift through, knowing what makes a perfect wedding venue can be tricky. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question, but there are a handful of things you should consider when choosing a venue that’s a perfect fit for you and your wedding day vision.
LOGISTICS
Logistics aren’t the most exciting place to start when venue shopping, but they’re hands down the most important. Above all else, a venue has to work for your wedding. When you shop for your wedding day clothes, people always tell you not to try on dresses (or suits) that are way out of your budget, because you don’t want to fall in love with something you’ll never end up getting. Think of venue shopping the same way. If the logistics don’t work, nothing else matters. Have a list of non-negotiables ready, and make sure the venue you’re considering can accommodate all of them. If it can’t (and if you’re not willing to budge yourself), then save yourself the heartbreak and don’t look at the venue!
SERVICE
Service comes in second on our list of what makes for a perfect wedding venue. No matter how stunning a venue may be, if you’re simply not in sync with their on-site coordinator or feel their customer service has been terrible, it’s probably not worth booking the venue. If you’re having trouble getting anyone to answer your questions or respond to your inquiries from the get-go, things will probably only get worse after you’ve signed on the dotted line. This one comes down to trusting your instincts. You may love the venue, but the people matter more. If you’re not feeling good about their on-site team, we say don’t book it.
LOCATION
You likely have an idea of where you want to get married. Maybe it’s in the forested mountains of Lake Tahoe or on a chic rooftop in New York—if you’ve always pictured your wedding taking place in a certain location with a certain aesthetic, you obviously want to see that vision through when venue shopping. Remember, though, along with location come some logistical considerations—like parking—so don’t forget about those!
All Photography by Lucy Munoz; Venue by The Guild; Planning by Amorology
FEASIBILITY FOR GUESTS
While your own desires for your venue should come fi rst, you also want to weigh those against the feasibility of the venue for your guests. If you want to have your fragile 85-year-old grandmother at the wedding ceremony, but the venue you’re looking at is only accessible by a set of 500 steep stairs that lead to a sandy beach, you’re going to have to decide on which is more important—having Grandma there or saying “I do” at that venue. Likewise, if it’s important for you to have many friends and family there, you don’t want to choose an across-the-globe location that will require your guests to book expensive plane tickets and accommodations, as this will cut your guest list down signifi cantly.
The Ultimate Site Visit Checklist
BEFORE YOUR VISIT:
ϑ Do they have the date you're considering available?
ϑ What are the rates for different days of the week, times, or seasons?
ϑ What’s the maximum capacity? ϑ Does it have spaces for a ceremony and a reception?
ϑ Are there any additional fees to hold both spaces?
DURING YOUR VISIT:
ϑ Does the venue have hotel accommodations?
ϑ If not, how close are the nearest hotels?
ϑ How many hours and what items are included in the rental fee?
ϑ Do those hours include setup and breakdown time?
ϑ Is parking available on-site? Is there an additional cost?
CATERING:
ϑ Is catering provided in-house? ϑ If not, is there a preferred catering list, or is it open to work with whomever we choose?
ϑ Is there a food and beverage price minimum? ϑ Can we do a tasting before we finalize our menu? Is there a charge for a tasting?
ϑ Can we provide our own liquor? ϑ Is there a corkage fee if we bring in our own alcohol? ϑ Is there a cake cutting/serving fee?
POLICIES & PROCEDURES:
ϑ How much is the deposit and when is it due?
ϑ Is the deposit refundable? ϑ What's the cancellation policy? ϑ What's the policy if we need to postpone?
ϑ Does the wedding venue carry liability insurance?
ϑ Are clients or vendors required to have liability insurance? If so, how much?
RULES & REGULATIONS:
ϑ Are there noise restrictions? ϑ What are the regulations regarding open flames? ϑ Are sparklers or fireworks allowed?
ϑ Does this venue have a preferred vendor list or vendor restrictions?
ϑ Does this venue require a wedding planner?
MISCELLANEOUS:
ϑ Does this venue have any scheduled construction projects?
ϑ If any portion of the wedding is outdoors, is there a backup plan in case of inclement weather?
ϑ Is the venue accessible for all? ϑ Are taxis/rideshares easily accessible from the venue?
ϑ Are there "ready rooms" available on-site?
ϑ What time can vendors start setting up on the day of the wedding?
ϑ How many bathrooms are available?
Scan to view the full checklist on The Aisle Guide
