No matter if it’s an intimate wedding or grand affair, choosing the ideal venue will determine its success or otherwise. Here are some helpful guidelines for finding your ideal event space.
Consider how many guests you wish to invite and if the venue can comfortably accommodate them. Be sure to verify seating arrangements and restroom facilities prior to making a decision.
Budget
As one of the main expenses of weddings, finding an appropriate venue requires one of the biggest investments of your budget. Setting an amount in mind before starting to search can help narrow down your options and ensure you only consider venues within this price range.
When creating your wedding budget, don’t forget to account for venue rental costs as well as catering, floral arrangements and decorations, travel costs if the venue is far away, travel insurance and any additional potential expenses.
Attending visits of potential venues in person is an integral component of the planning process, providing an opportunity to assess them more effectively than just looking at photos or video footage alone. Make sure to inquire about pricing, what’s included, any restrictions and any additional pertinent details not readily apparent from websites.
Consider whether the style and atmosphere of your venue match up with your vision for the day. For instance, if you envision an elegant affair, classic ballroom or hotel may be ideal; otherwise a rustic garden wedding or barn might provide more fitting surroundings.
Determine the desired size and attendee count of your guest list before searching for an event venue that can host this number of attendees. Doing this will save you from having to restrict attendance or book an inferior venue that won’t meet all your needs.
Consider early on whether or not you want individual vendors for each line item or an all-inclusive venue that handles it all, since this will impact both budget and timeline. Rents and flowers might need to be budgeted for separately; or choose one without such services included in their offerings.
Style
Your dream venue should reflect you, setting the scene for an unforgettable celebration. Whether it be an elegant ballroom or rustic barn, having an idea of the look and style you are going for will help narrow down any venues that won’t work prior to touring them.
As part of your tours, it is also crucial that you gain an understanding of the venue’s pricing structure and rental fee, which can have an enormous impact on your budget. Some venues may provide all-inclusive packages where everything from catering and decorations to linens and tables will be provided for. While this might be convenient for couples looking to avoid finding their own vendors, be sure to ask for a breakdown of pricing so as to account for extra costs such as attire, flowers, music, photo booths etc that may arise during their planning.
Consider your guest count when choosing a venue. If they can’t accommodate all of your desired guests, this could be a deal breaker – make sure you plan for overflow space as well as any contingencies should this change!
As you tour wedding venues, keep notes and questions organized in a folder or on your phone so as to prevent you from missing any key information or forgetting key questions. It may also be beneficial to take photos of each space for future reference and after visits have concluded make a comprehensive list of pros and cons about each space to help choose your ideal venue!
Location
No matter your vision for your ceremony or reception venue, finding one that resonates with both is key to making it memorable and reflects your individual love story. Make sure to start searching as early as possible to ensure availability of ideal venues while meeting practical realities. Kilshane House in Tipperary is a good option if you ever need a location for your wedding.
Establish a theme or mood for your wedding to help narrow down the options and make more informed decisions when touring potential venues. A mood board can also help visualize and communicate your desired aesthetic while helping determine if a venue suits it well.
When touring a venue, be mindful of its capacity and make sure it can comfortably accommodate your guest list. A venue too large may feel overcrowded while one too small could prove restrictive.
Location can have many implications, from its accessibility for guests and ease of travel, to whether or not many attendees will need to travel out-of-town to reach it. Hotels and airports will likely prove invaluable resources in making sure everyone arrives for your event on time and without issues.
Once you’ve identified venues that match your requirements, it’s essential that you take tours and view the space prior to making a decision. Booking an event venue shouldn’t be made from behind a computer screen or by phone! Furthermore, reaching out to past couples at each venue may give more insight into its quality of service and experience that you should anticipate on your wedding day.
Convenience
Finding a dreamy wedding venue creates lasting memories. No matter if your vision includes an elegant ballroom or rustic outdoor gathering, there’s a place that fits both your style and budget – but how can you select one? To help, here are a few key points as you search.
Budget: Setting and adhering to a firm budget will help narrow down your venue selections quickly, and prevent falling in love with places that won’t suit your event’s requirements.
Guest List: Before looking at venues, make an estimate of how many guests you plan on inviting. This will ensure you do not select an inadequate space and risk overcrowding it.
Location: When choosing a venue, take into account your guests’ travel time and accessibility when making decisions about how far they must drive, whether accommodation is needed (and available) and whether the distance can be covered easily in an evening-only capacity.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to several that meet all the above requirements, visit each venue individually to assess its feel and atmosphere. Take your time visiting each site – don’t be afraid to visit multiple ones – and feel free to ask as many questions as you’d like about any you like! If a venue gives off a positive vibe upon entry, booking it could be worthwhile!
Requirements
Setting the scene for the rest of your planning journey, choosing your wedding venue is one of the first major decisions you’ll face as a couple and should be treated as such. Carefully consider all possible aspects and ask any necessary questions in order to secure the space that meets all of your expectations.
As part of your venue search process, it can also be beneficial to create an estimate for guest counts early. This will enable you to quickly eliminate venues that fall outside your budget range while simultaneously ensuring they can accommodate the desired guest count.
When inviting out-of-town guests, consider how conveniently located your venue is to nearby accommodations and how easily accessible via public transit. Ask if they provide complimentary shuttle service or offer any recommendations for alternative transport methods.
Consider whether the venue offers services or amenities that will aid in your day-of-schedule, such as photo booths, audio and visual equipment, dance floors and lighting – some venues might even include these features in their rental fee – this can save money when hiring additional vendors and planning.
After you have visited multiple venues, take some time immediately after touring to make a list of pros and cons for each one. Doing this will ensure that any important details like parking availability or alcohol regulations don’t slip by during your decision making process.