Venue Goals: How To Find The Perfect Place To Get Married

Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue
Venue Capacity
Theme and Vibe
Budget
Customization
Intuition and Feel
Summary

Choosing a wedding venue is one of the most exciting aspects of planning a wedding, but how do you go about finding the perfect place to get married? If you’re tying the knot, this guide is packed with advice and helpful tips.

Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue

When you set out on a quest to find the perfect wedding venue, it’s wise to consider key factors to help you narrow down the options and locate a place that crosses all of the boxes. Examples include:

Venue Capacity

Every wedding is different, and the size of the party can range from a few select guests to hundreds or even thousands of people. The size of your guest list will often have a bearing on the venues that are available to you. If you have grand plans for a huge wedding, for example, you may find that you have to rule some venues out because they don’t have the capacity. For smaller weddings, you may prefer a more secluded, intimate setting, rather than a venue that can hold hundreds of guests. You don’t have to have an exact number in your mind before you start searching for venues, but it is helpful to have a rough idea so that you can eliminate or add venues to your shortlist.

Theme and vibe

Many of us automatically think of traditional buildings and big white dresses when we think about weddings. If you’re keen to get off the beaten track, or you want to explore a more diverse range of venues, think about the kind of vibe you want to create. Weddings can be formal occasions, but they don’t have to be. More and more people are opting for low-key ceremonies and informal receptions. From a wedding chapel, a hotel, and a country house to a ranch, a meadow with a marquee, a castle, or a woodland clearing; there are all kinds of wonderful options to consider. If you have a theme in mind, look for locations that complement the aesthetic and mood of the day. Festival-themed weddings, for example, would work brilliantly in a field, a converted barn, a fairground, or a country estate with rolling hills as a backdrop.

Budget

Cost is likely to be a factor for many couples planning their dream day. The cost of hiring or reserving a venue can range from less than $100 to thousands or even millions. Consider your budget carefully before you start browsing the Internet, reading magazines, or asking for suggestions from friends or family members. You don’t want to fall head over heels for a location you can’t afford. If you are on a tight budget, there are ways to save money when planning your wedding. You could consider a cheaper venue for the ceremony if you prefer to have your reception at a more expensive location, or you could cut back on transport, catering, or finishing touches, such as table decorations and favors.

Customization

Most couples are eager to put their stamp on their big day. It is increasingly popular to shun the cookie-cutter wedding day template and customize your celebrations to make them memorable and personal. If you’re on the hunt for a wedding venue, and you want it to be unique and special, look for a place that gives you the option to add touches or customize the space.

Intuition and Feel

Perhaps the most important factor to consider when looking for the perfect place to say ‘I do’ is your emotional response to the venue. Use your intuition and think about how you feel when you view and spend time in different spaces and settings. You may think you know exactly what you want when you create your shortlist, but you might be surprised at how you react when you actually walk around a venue like a wedding chapel or see it in the flesh for the first time. You might end up going for a totally different vibe or changing your mind because a certain type of venue makes you feel excited or emotional. It’s always beneficial to try to be open-minded at the start of your search. Look at a diverse range of locations and then make a decision.

Summary

Finding the perfect venue is high up on the list of wedding planning tasks for most couples. If you are in the throes of working through a to-do list, and you’re searching for a venue, be open-minded, consider the theme and vibe you want to channel, arrange viewings and use your intuition. Choose a venue that grabs you and makes you excited for the big day.