Wedding Venues
Wedding venues are something most couples think about right from
the very beginning. Finding the perfect location for the ceremony
and reception is probably going to be one of the first decisions
you make when it comes to your event. After all, you need to know
this information before the invitations even go out. And though
the possibilities seem endless, there are some factors that will
determine your ideal wedding venue.
The first and most important thing that will determine the venue
for your wedding or reception will be what kind of event you want
to have. If you want to have an outdoor ceremony then obviously,
finding the perfect outdoor spot will be number one priority.
If you're looking to have something a little more traditional,
a church will probably be the location of your ceremony with the
reception being held at a hotel or country club.
The second factor to consider is the size of the event. The size
needs to be factored in mainly when you are planning the location
of the reception. You'll need a space that is big enough for guests
not to feel overcrowded but you also don't want a space that is
so big that everyone will be very spread out, making the reception
feel sparse.
Cost plays a factor in every wedding venue so it's important not
to forget about it when choosing the location. Remember to get all
costs down in writing before giving vendors a deposit so there will
be no surprises after you've gotten the final bill.
Using this information, one can then begin to visit locations and
see what the couple likes best. When checking out wedding venues,
there are some questions to ask and things to keep in mind:
- If they will be taking care of the décor, do you like
it? If not, is it possible to come in and set up the decorations
yourself? What are their policies about decorations including
how much, things not permitted, etc.
- Do they have an in-house caterer? Can you test the food to see
if you like it? If the couple doesn't like it, can they bring
in your own caterer? An in-house caterer can often make things
much easier but that's not as important as actually liking the
food they will serve.
- Do they have proper coat check and bathroom facilities?
- Do they have a liquor license? And, can you bring in your own
liquor? This is often cheaper even when it comes with the standard
corkage fee.
- What's their cancellation policy?
- What deposits are required? What is the payment schedule?
- Is there room for everything you require? This includes tables,
a stage for a band or DJ, a dance floor, etc.
- Are the parking facilities adequate? Is parking free? Is there
valet parking?
- Will a representative of the wedding venue be available the
day before to go over last minute details? Will the representative
be around the day of to oversee things?
- If the location is outdoors, is there a back-up place to move
the ceremony and/or reception indoors? If not, is there space
for a tent?
These are the basic of investigating wedding venues. Only research
and discussion between the bride and groom will ultimate determine
the wedding venue that is right for them.
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