Vendor Selection: The Venue

Venue selection can either "make" or "break" an event. The same goes for your wedding. With a vast number of hotels, golf clubs, halls, museums, and other venues to choose from, visiting and researching every venue is simply not an option. Your venue should be your first booking. This will allow you to solidify your wedding date so that you can move on to selecting other vendors. You'll want to book your venue as soon after your engagement as you can... but don't be too hasty. Here are a few tips to help focus your research and narrow your list:

Consider

1. Style/Ambiance

2. Size

3. Budget

4. Location

1. Style/Ambiance: What kind of atmosphere are you trying to create? Do you want a chic upscale event in a trendy part of the city? Do you want a comfortable backyard feel? Do you want your ceremony and reception at the same location? Do you want a small intimate gathering with close family and friends? Or would you prefer a big party where everyone you've ever know is welcome to join in? Different locations cater to different types of atmosphere. It would be difficult, for example, to hold a small, intimate family affair in the middle of a dance club.

2. Size: The guest list will play a role in narrowing your choices. Select a venue that will hold your guests comfortably but that's not so spcaious that your reception seems empty (even 300 people can seem lost in a room that can hold 600). You also don't want to cram your guests into a room like a bunch of sardines. When asking how many people a room will hold be sure to clarify whether the number is based on a banquet set up and whether it accounts for dance floor space.

3. Budget: On average, about half of your total wedding budget will go into your venue (including rentals, food, alcohol, fees, and gratuities). Don't rely on menus to help you determine cost (the cost for room rentals and other fees can vary greatly from one venue to the next). Instead, request a quote from a few venues that you're interested in and compare costs.

4. Location: Do you want a destination wedding or an intimate country gathering. Be mindful of the unique considerations that comes with different venues. For example, for a downtown venue consider parking restrictions. When considering a remote country venue consider nearby accomodations for your guests. Also, bear in mind that the most sought out locations tend to book up pretty quickly so you may have to book two or even three years in advance.

Whether you'r booking a prime location or not you'll want to book your venue as soon as you can. At the very least, book 1 year in advance. The longer you wait the fewer options you'll have (not only in venue selection but in vendor selection too).

Good luck!

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination