Advice on Picking the Perfect Wedding Venue

​Every couple wants to create the ideal ambiance for their wedding. Choosing the perfect venue for your wedding and reception is all about location and your personal preferences. Your venue should complement the theme of your wedding and speak to your love story, faith or maybe even your passions.
 
Some religions state that the couple should get married in their place of worship. So religion may be the main driving force in choosing your wedding venue. But even if you plan to say “I Do” in a place of worship, your reception venue can be somewhere unique.
​
Couples who are open to alternative settings for their vow exchange can and should think about unique venues like museums, parks, botanical gardens or even the beach (if you’re on the coast). Think about how the venue will photograph, and how the location will look as a backdrop.

Of course, you also need to consider the guest list. Is the location easily accessible for guests?
What about parking?
And public restrooms?

When looking at alternative locations, couples should take all aspects of the venue or site into account. As for choosing the reception venue, an entirely unique location may be selected. While some couples exchange vows and hold their reception at the same location, others choose to have their after-party elsewhere.

​Here are a few tips to decide how to choose the ideal locations for the vow exchange and the reception:

Make sure the locations are close.

If you’re getting married on the beach, consider reception venues that are nearby.

​Look at hotels, restaurants or other sites for guests to gather after the vow exchange. Some hotels on the beach also offer all-inclusive wedding packages. So you can have your ceremony near the water and the reception indoors…or even on the patio!

Budget is everything.Before you even begin looking for the perfect wedding site, you need to understand your financial bottom line. 

That beautiful cathedral might charge more than you can afford, but your local family church may allow you to host your wedding ceremony for a nominal fee if you’re a member.

​The money bottom line also speaks to your reception venue. Yes, that grand resort may seem like the picturesque place to host your guests, but you cannot spend the entire budget on just the reception!

Ask about the site rules and regulations.
Some venues may require you to use their on-site catering or may stipulate what you can or cannot bring on site. Ask about any rules and constraints...you may even want to inquire about any limitations on décor.

​If the venue is a closed space, and you’re an allergy sufferer, you also may want to make sure your florist steers clear of flowers that aggravate allergies (like daisies or sunflowers).

​Check the reviews.
If you’re not planning to marry in a house of worship, and you’re looking for a unique venue, always check the reviews before committing or forking over a down-payment. Read all the reviews and then tour the location.

Ask for recommendations.
If you hired a wedding planner, don’t be shy about asking for site recommendations. Talk to your planner about your personal preferences and be open about your budget; your planner likely will have some great suggestions.

Think about a home-based ceremony.
​If your budget is tight, you could consider hosting the ceremony in your backyard. Or in the backyard of your parents’ house. You’ll need to be sure that the space can accommodate your guest list, however.

Choosing the right wedding venue is all about finding the destination that strikes the right note. Your ceremony location should speak to your story, personality and even your passions. If the two of you love the outdoors, consider hosting your nuptials at a park or on the beach. Some museums and historic sites also may be open for wedding events. Know your budget before exploring sites, and always read reviews of venues before committing. No matter where you plan your big day, just remember that the vows matter most…not the location.

Photos courtesy of My Big Day Events - from our many weddings!

​Authored by contributing writer, Shannon Lochwood.
Shannon Lochwood currently lives in Southern California. She has a passion for weddings and loves to write about anything related to special "I do" moments. In her free time she loves to hike and spend time with her family and her two lovely dogs
@shannonlochwood
http://shannonlochwood.weebly.com/