5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Venue or Location for Your Wedding

Although technically there is a lot of planning you can do for your wedding before you officially nail down the location, the reality is that most couples can’t really commit to many of the other important wedding details until the perfect venue is decided — and booked. And, honestly, we totally get it. Not only does the location of your wedding determine so many of the other details, but it’s hard to even visualize what your wedding is going to be like until you know for sure where you’re going to have it.

For some couples, their strict must-haves narrows down the list of possible venues pretty quickly. But, for others, they’re much more flexible, knowing that once they find the right spot, everything else really will fall into place.

So, whether you’ve got a pretty good idea about where you’re going to get married — or if your book is wide open — here are five of our best tips for making sure you find and book your dream wedding (or elopement) spot.

• Know Your Theme. While you might not know 100% where you want to get married, there’s a pretty good chance that you and your partner have a general theme in mind for your big day. And, remember, your “theme” doesn’t have to even really sound like a theme. For a lot of couples we work with, the “theme” is much more like a vibe, just a general understanding of what the overall experience is going to be for themselves and their guests. Knowing what your theme is will definitely guide you in the right direction when it comes to picking your perfect venue.

• Understand the Logistics. Depending on the size of your guest list, certain venues will automatically get cut from your list. Other important logistics to consider when choosing your location include things like necessary permits, bathroom availability, and the parking situation for guests. It’s also important to think about where your ceremony is going to be and where the reception will be. Are the two in the same spot or will your guests need to get from one place to another? While everything is “figure-outable”, there are some issues you just don’t want to tackle when it comes to wedding planning.

• Determine the Pros and Cons for Indoor vs. Outdoor. While the theme of your wedding will certainly help determine whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding, being practical in terms of the pros and cons will help guide you in making a smart decision for your perfect venue. While indoor venues ensure nothing will get ruined in case of bad weather, for example, outdoor venues almost always require significantly less money in terms of decorations. Brainstorm with your partner your personal pros and cons for both types of venues to help get you both on the same page.

• Consider Back-Up Plans. There is a really good chance that absolutely nothing major will go wrong on your wedding day. But, of course, there’s also a chance that something will. When choosing your venue, consider what potential back-up plans could be in case of inclement weather. Is there an easy Plan B that will help keep your stress levels low in case a storm rolls in on the morning of?

• Get to Know Potential Venues. Each wedding venue and location comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Depending on you and your partner, some of these will be more important than others. Take your time to really consider each venue before you jump in. Will having a venue that provides planners and caterers make wedding planning so much more simple? Or does the idea of getting far out into the wild sound so good that other wedding-day “benefits” pale in comparison?