There’s no couple quite like you and your partner. You may be doing some traditional things like wearing a suit and wedding dress. You may be skipping some tired wedding traditions like something borrowed, something blue. Maybe you’re doing a little bit of everything to find your ideal wedding venue that’ll look great in the backdrop for photos of you, your partner and your wedding rings. It can be overwhelming to choose the right venue with so many options out there. Here are some important tips to keep in mind to find your perfect and unique wedding venue.
How to Find a Perfect and Unique Wedding Venue
- Picture Your Ideal Wedding — When you picture your ideal wedding, what do you picture? Do you picture an outdoor farmhouse-style wedding? Would you rather do something indoors? As you scroll through your social media feed or put together your Pinterest boards, you might be tempted to choose an aesthetic that isn’t authentic to you and your partner. Remember who you two are when you choose a space together. Just like you two will want each other’s opinions for picking out wedding ring sets you’ll both love, you’ll ultimately want a wedding venue that will be a win for you both. While that beautiful Hawaiian luau beach wedding may have worked well for that influencer couple on TikTok, it may not make sense for what themes interest you and your partner.
- Tour Different Venues — Look at different venues online and in person that fit the vision you have in mind. If you and your partner are modern, you may not want to go with a traditional banquet venue. You may want something more out-of-the-box like an art gallery or warehouse space. If you’re looking for a simple wedding rehearsal or post-wedding brunch space, try a trendy restaurant. If you’re looking for venues that incorporate natural elements, go for a ranch or a park.
- Determine Your Budget — According to WeddingWire, the average price of a wedding ceremony and reception is $30,000. It’s about more than just figuring out if a venue is in your budget. You’ll also have to think about in-house catering costs, such as the price per plate. How will decor and floral design affect your budget? Set aside more money for vendors that are a higher priority, such as wedding photographers or the caterer.
- Ask for Help from a Wedding Planner — If you’re on the fence about hiring a wedding planner, don’t be. The right wedding planner can help save you time, money and, most importantly, frustration. They’re experts at knowing the capacity and layout of certain venues. They’ll know how much it’ll cost you to transform the space to meet your vision. If there’s any specific theme you have in mind, speak with a wedding planner to help you. Besides helping you with the venue, a wedding planner can help you find or will be your day-of coordinator during the actual wedding day. That means when you’re stressed out or getting the wedding day jitters, your wedding planner will be there by your side as you figure out how to put on each other’s wedding bands for the ceremony.
- Weigh the Pros and Cons of the Venue — Consider what’s included and not included in the wedding packages at each venue you look at. What are the pros and cons of each one? You’ll want a breakdown of what’s included in venues that are full-service versus venues that allow you to bring in your own vendors and decor. Try getting estimates from rental companies to see how they compare to the cost of working directly with the venue for whatever furniture they already have on-site.
- Who’s Coming to the Wedding? — Ah, the guest list. It’s more than just figuring out which table you’re going to sit your gossipy aunt who keeps asking about how much you two spent on wedding rings, or that weird uncle who tells the same joke over and over again. It’s also about the guest count. An elegant ballroom looks glamorous for a 200-person wedding. It looks sparse with a 50-person guest list. That beach wedding for 25 people looks just right. A beach wedding for your 15 cousins, 10 groomsmen, 12 bridesmaids and dozens and dozens of family members looks chaotic. Depending on how intimate or large your wedding guest list will be, you may need to pick a smaller or larger venue based on the final guest count.
- Think About Your Out-of-Town Guests — As much as you’d like to think the wedding is just about you and your partner, you also have to think about your guests. They’re there to celebrate the day with you. You have to think about how the venue you choose may or may not work for everyone. If you’re considering doing a destination wedding, your 80-year-old grandmother may not be able to fly out. If you have any guests who use a cane or a wheelchair, ask the venue about how ADA-friendly they are.
- Ask About Logistics — Your wedding venue is about more than just making your dream wedding come true. It’s also about logistics. Think practically and proactively about how much you want to spend and where you want to hold the wedding. Your budget and the location you choose will help narrow down the venue you choose. You also want to think about when you want to host the wedding. If you’re looking to save some money, consider hosting a wedding during the venue’s slower season.
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