6 Things to Do Before Booking Your Wedding Venue

Are you newly engaged and ready to start booking your wedding venue? Here is a list of things to do before you get started.

If you’re ready to get started on booking your wedding venue, there are several things to do first so that you are well prepared. If you’re like most couples, figuring out where to start with planning your wedding can be a challenge in itself. Finding your venue is one of the most important, and potentially the most stressful task to tackle. Researching all of the options in your area can be overwhelming and very time consuming. This guide will help you to be able to narrow your options down, so that you’re not wasting time looking at venues that may not work for what you are looking for.

Here are six things you can do to help with booking your wedding venue.

1. Create a preliminary guest list

Take time to sit down with your significant other and write out a list of people you would like to invite. This will show you how many people you could potentially be looking at hosting. This will open up the discussion between the two of you on how many you’re comfortable inviting. Prioritize your list with the must haves, and go from there. Having a general idea of how many guests will be in attendance is very important for knowing the space needed at your venue.

2. Create a budget

Talk to whoever may be contributing to the funds (parents, grandparents, etc.), then talk about how much you both will contribute to set the foundation! I can’t stress enough how much time this will save you when planning your wedding. If you know you don’t want to spend more than $30,000 on the overall day, you can already eliminate many options that would be much higher than this.

I understand that stating a budget can be difficult when you don’t know what things cost. However; everyone has a number that they know they are not comfortable spending. So even if you don’t have a number for your budget, come with that “cut off” number. Having a range that you are comfortable spending will also help save you time and stress when reaching out to venues and vendors.

3. Figure out the style or theme of wedding you’d like

Think about the aesthetic of the wedding you like most. Then, look for venues that compliment the style you’re looking for. This way your design isn’t competing with the aesthetic of your venue. You may not want to look at rustic venues if you are wanting a more minimalist, modern feel. You could still book space that doesn’t go with your style; However, this could mean forking out more money to cover up walls, floors, and furniture. If you’re not sure what style you’re going for, take a look at the way you decorate your house, the colors you’re most drawn to. This will open up ideas for you. Then browse Pinterest to get some ideas.

If you know you want an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception, make sure you are looking for venues that have an outdoor and indoor space. Maybe the ceremony setting/backdrop is very important to you. If so, you’ll want to find venues that have beautiful views!

4. Pick a season or time of year you’d like to get married in

Instead of picking a specific date you want to marry on, pick a general season or month before scouting venues. You may need to be flexible with dates in order to book with the venue you like most! If you pick a specific date first, you may be much more limited to what is available to you!

5. Think about the location of the venues you’re looking at

This will be an important details when it comes to the logistics of your wedding day. Is the venue close to the hotels you and your guests will stay at and easier to get to? Is it remote and harder to get to? If so, you will need transportation provided for you and your guests. If you’re planning a ceremony in a separate venue than your reception, there will be many factors to consider that may effect your wedding day timeline.

6. Hire a wedding planner

All of these steps above lead me into this important step! If you hire a wedding planner, he or she can help you tackle all of this. I know I may be biased, but it’s important, trust me! Your planner will likely already have knowledge in which venues can accommodate your size of wedding, a general idea of venue cost, the style and aesthetics of the space, and what works or doesn’t logistically.

Your planner can also help research other options based on your style and budget. He or she can coordinate your site visits and help you ask important questions at the site visit. A planner will then also be involved in the contract phase and can assist with making sure everything is covered in the contract before you sign! You may find a planner that also helps with design. So if you’re stuck on your colors and style of wedding, your planner may assist with this also.

Hiring a wedding planner really can save you a lot of time and money. There are things we know to do that will alleviate future costly problems!

Contact us if you’re ready to start your wedding planning and would like professional guidance!