You’ve said “yes” to your fiancé, now it’s time to figure out when and where to say “I Do.” We’ve all seen the movie Bride Wars– so we know some top wedding venues book up months, or even years in advance. Summer months are usually the most popular, but depending on where you plan to get married the typical “wedding season” may vary. In any case–don’t wait too long to save the date! Here are some helpful tips to help you decide and secure your dream venue!
We all know you’ve thought about it, you may even have a secret Pinterest board dedicated to venues already, but now is the time to put your thoughts in action. Talk to your fiancé and decide what setting would make you both happy (ie. church, beach, resort, hotel, garden, the middle of nowhere). Come to a compromise that gets you both excited to start exploring your options. Do some research as to what venues have the aesthetics you love in the location you hope to host your big day. After you’ve narrowed some of your choices, plan some site visits!
Think logistics! If you plan on having a large wedding of 200+ make sure your venue can fit them comfortably. Discuss your “must haves” with the site representative and take note of each one they meet. Do they require you use certain vendors? Can you BYO? But most importantly, search your little engaged hearts and ask “Is this where we want to get married?”
Now that you’ve assessed your needs, it’s time to think about your family & friends. Take a look at your guest list and recognize anyone who may need special assistance on the day. Make sure your venue is equipped with the right amenities to allow those folks to attend comfortably. Venue is important–but not if it means not sharing it with the ones you love!
Whether you’re planning to do everything in one spot, or are looking at separate locations for ceremony and reception, be sure to consider drive time. For example, if your reception location is 40 minutes away from your ceremony spot, you could be missing out on valuable party time! If you’re planning a destination wedding, or have a large number of guests coming from out of town, be sure to consider how they will be getting from point A to point B and the potential additional dollars that might add to the budget.
We are big fans of making lists! Once you’ve narrowed it down to your top faves, write down each locations pros & cons. Consider the features and benefits that each location has to offer (ie. in-house catering, ample space, on-site bridal suite for getting ready, etc) and factor that into decision making. See which location outweighs the other in it’s ability to meet your needs and budget. In the end, go with your gut! Pick the place that makes both you and your fiancé happy!
