Key Steps to Take When Choosing Your Wedding Location

One of the most vital steps in planning your nuptials is picking the right wedding location for you and your partner. The place where you say “I do” or hold your reception (or both) will evoke an atmosphere, give you memories to cherish forever, and help to make your wedding everything you’ve always dreamed of. 

There are many different factors to consider, so you must take your time and do plenty of research to locate the best option for your particular needs. Follow these steps as you navigate this tough decision.

Know Your Budget

For starters, there’s not much point getting too far into the work of choosing a location if you don’t know how much you can not only afford to spend on the venue but want to allocate to this area of your wedding. For some people, the venue is the most important thing and will have the most money attributed to it, while for others, they’d prefer to keep this modest and spend more money on the selection of food and drink, the number of guests, the outfits, entertainment, etc. 

Come up with a figure you want to budget for the location, and then start looking for options that suit this. Just remember when comparing prices and details that there may be “hidden” or “extra” fees you need to take into account, such as costs for accessing a dance floor, seating, napery, audio gear, etc., or for insurance, paying by credit card or other transaction types, clean-up costs, permits, and more. 

Think About the Size of Your Guest List

Of course, another key factor will be how many people a venue can comfortably fit, whether you want a separate location for your nuptials and the reception, or one for the whole event. If you want to have a large number of guests at your wedding, the first thing you should check when examining venues is if different spaces can comfortably hold the crowd. 

Keep in mind, too, that even if you only want to have minimal numbers, you need to keep this in mind, as there’s no point paying excessively for a large space you don’t need or having an area that feels too big for the number of guests.

Consider Accessibility and Convenience

Another factor to look at when selecting a wedding venue is accessibility. For instance, you, your wedding party, or someone or some people on your guest list may use a wheelchair or have other accessibility requirements that need to be taken into account. If so, examine whether there are lifts available or just stairs, if the space is more than one level, if there are accessible bathrooms, pathways, and parking facilities, and if there are handrails or ramps and other helpful aids. 

Convenience should be a topic you focus on, too. If you know you’ll have many guests coming to your nuptials from across the globe, you might want to consider a destination that’s as central as possible. Or, you might want a venue with plenty of parking and where it’s easy for guests to navigate rather than trying to climb hills or navigate sand, and so on. Getting married in a spot with plenty of accommodation nearby can also be beneficial. 

Also, find out if public venues require you to get permits or other paperwork to access them and if they’re only available at certain times of the year, week, or day. Furthermore, check when your preferred venues are available. You might love a few options but find that they’re booked out for three years to come or that the only available days are weekdays, which might not suit your needs. 

Check Features and Functionality

Next, examine the various features and functionality that different locations will offer you. Write a list of what you’re looking for, with the most critical elements that are “needs” up the top, moving into “wants,” and try to find a place that satisfies as many criteria as possible. For instance, you might want to get married at a very private place or somewhere renowned for having exceptional on-site catering, a mind-blowing wine list, or bar offerings that are next to none. 

For many people, the vibe of a place and the service provided by staff are two of the most important elements, while for others, it’s about having access to both indoor and outdoor spaces during the celebrations. You might also be looking for somewhere that will allow you to buy rockets, cakes, and quality artillery shells and fireworks, among others, for a brilliant light and sound display, or that has an in-house stylist, DJ, and band to make your organizing life easier. 

Apart from all the factors above, when choosing a location for your special day, ensure it suits your theme, and don’t book anywhere until you’ve read through all the details of the contract and have read reviews written by past clients of the venue. Taking all these steps will help ensure your wedding day is memorable for all the right reasons.

Feature Photo by Shardayyy Photography on Unsplash