Did you have one of those Pinterest boards from when you were 12 with all of the cute wedding ideas pinned to them?
Because I recently discovered mine and 2012 sure took it’s toll on me.
I’m talking twinkle lights, flower crowns, rainbow bridesmaids dresses, and yes, a hunger games themed wedding cake.
I’m so relieved that my actual wedding didn’t contain black and white chevon stripes and turquoise glitter stilettos (and middle school me would be so sad to know that I went with a plain white dress!).
Another thing I saw on my old Pinterest board was a number of wedding venue environments—I had pinned beach wedding inspo, romantic fairytale-style castles, and charming whimsical backyard wedding set ups.
Now, if you’re reading this you’re probably looking at your own wedding Pinterest board wondering where the heck some of these gorgeous photos were taken.
Are those venues close to you? Affordable? And if we’re talking about a destination, what does it take to book out of state?
Booking a venue is an enormous step in your wedding day planning.
I always suggest my clients book it as soon as they can, making it one of the first—if not the very first—thing that they do following getting engaged.
But why is it so important? And why so expensive? And what should you look for in a wedding venue anyway?
I gottchu.
You might want to pin this post because after being a photographer for 11+ years, I’ve seen just about every type of wedding in every type of venue. So let’s dive into what to look for in a wedding venue before you book to ensure you get the very best space to host your wedding day.
what’s so important about the wedding venue?
The wedding venue is the gathering place for all your beloved friends and family as they watch you commit to your bestie in marriage. But you didn’t need me to tell you that. ;) You’ll likely want to pick a space that has a couple base needs being met for your friends and family, and ensure that they have a comfortable experience during your celebration. Some obvious things you’ll look for are aesthetics, functionality, and accessibility.
But wedding venues also need to check a few more boxes in my opinion.
More than just the general aesthetics for your guest’s comfort, your wedding venue will emphasize your style of the day.
For example, if you want a classic black and white chic wedding style, you probably wouldn’t book a barn in rural Kentucky, right?
And if you’re going for a winter wedding with low lit candles, emerald green dresses and a 1920s undertone, you probably won’t want an open air venue grecian style building that has no heating and cold ceramic benches to sit on.
Essentially, choosing the venue should compliment both the season you get married in and your wedding vision/theme.
What should I look for in a wedding venue?
Once you know the theme of your wedding, and the general aesthetic you have in mind, you’ll obviously want to start looking for a venue that fits the bill. But past that, there are many basic preferences you want to prioritize before you book your venue.
Does it have natural light in the bridal suite?
Is there cell service and/or WiFi?
Are there restrooms on site and how many?
Are there enough outlets in the ceremony space? Reception hall?
Is there enough parking on site for your guest count?
Are there any room restrictions?
Asking these practical questions to your wedding venue owner can help you determine if the space will truly accommodate your guests and vendors well.
For example, if you book your DREAM venue and DREAM DJ, but on the wedding day the DJ realizes he needs an outlet in the back of the reception room and the nearest one is already in use by the caterers…yeah, things can get messy real quick 🙃
Every wedding day is different, but if you’re asking me, I suggest looking for venues that have all of these features:
WiFi or cell service
Natural light in the bridal suite
Enough space in the bridal suite
Floor length mirrors in the bridal suite
An outdoor space for photos
An outdoor space for your ceremony (if you wish)
An indoor space for a rain plan (that you can live with)
An outdoor space for cocktail hour/mingling/photos
An indoor space for cocktail hour/mingling/photos
A decent groom suite (not an office or closet) and even better, a groom suite with games and natural light
Plenty of outlets in the bridal suite
At least 2 restrooms for each gender (especially for larger guest lists!)
An on site coordinator
Accessibility ramps for physically impaired guests or grandparents
Elevators for multi level spaces (helps with guests, vendors, decor, etc.)
Plenty of parking (bonus if it’s free; good if it’s valet, frustrating when it’s street parking a block away—I’m looking at you Downtown Columbus venues 🙄)
A portfolio of past weddings to look through
What else should I ask on my wedding venue tour?
There are soooo many specific questions that you’ll have come up during your venue search. But here are a few extras that can help your booking process go even smoother:
Do you have vendors we have to work with to book you?
Do you allow outside bar service/bar tenders?
Do you allow outside catering?
Do you require us to use your seating/tables or can we rent from a third party?
Are any other parties able to book the same dates and share the venue or are we booking it out entirely?
Do you partner with any vendors you recommend?
Do you partner with any local accommodations for discounted room blocks?
Where are the nearest hotels?
Where is the nearest hospital?
Where is the nearest grocery store?
Is it open to the public during the date(s) we book? (especially for parks, golf clubs, historical sites, and museums)
If it is open to the public, what will the venue do to prevent interference? (signage, roping off sections, prohibiting golfers playing right behind the couple as they get married at a luxury golf club….yep, it’s happened)
How much time do we have access to the venue on the day we book?
Is the rehearsal included in the booking price?
How much time to we have access for the rehearsal?
Are there music or sound ordinances for neighboring properties?
Are there restrictions with the grounds we should be aware of?
Are there any candle/sparkler/fire restrictions?
How many of your staff will be on site the day of?
Who is our day of contact?
(if booking in Nov-March) Are the rates lower for off season?
(if booking in Nov-March) Are outdoor ceremonies permitted if weather allows?
(if booking ceremony space only) What time can guests arrive before the ceremony?
(if booking ceremony space only) Are there any photo restrictions? (ie, flash photos are often prohibited in churches and museums)
(if booking ceremony space only) How many hours do we have access to the space to set up/tear down?
(if booking reception space only) What time can guests arrive after the ceremony?
(if booking reception space only) How many hours do we have access to the space to set up/tear down?
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Recently I arrived to photograph a beautiful wedding day at a historical manor tucked away in a curated garden. It was stunning online and I couldn’t wait to capture the magic while there.
Only they didn’t have a real bridal suite, so the beautiful bride was tucked in a windowless basement with cinder blocks and LED lighting. The groom was in the building over, stuffed in a manager’s office right next to the kid’s snack counter. Then during the breathtaking outdoor ceremony, the venue was still open to the public—so there were folks in neon shirts walking around the grounds shouting and making nose while these two were exchanging vows.
It’s not always preventable, but in my opinion, if you’re paying thousands to rent out a space to host your beloved guests, you should at least know what to expect on your wedding day and be able to walk in as prepared as possible.
Hopefully with these tips and questions, you can confidently book your wedding venue knowing you are investing in a private, peaceful space to host the party of a lifetime.
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