Choosing a wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you will make in the entire wedding planning process. This decision can actually be very overwhelming for some couples. There are many venues in the area and how do you choose the best places to have a wedding? Well, it is important to remember that what constitutes the best wedding venue really depends on the couple that is getting married. A venue that might be perfect for one couple might not work for another one. These questions will help you narrow down your wedding venue options and choose the best one for you.
How many guests do you expect to attend?
It might seem impossible to come up with an estimates guest count a year before your actual wedding. However, an estimated guest count is important to consider before choosing a wedding venue. Some venues can only accommodate a certain amount of guests. Other wedding venues, larger ones, usually have minimum guest numbers to ensure they are getting the most use of their venue location. A good way to narrow down a number is to write down everyone you are considering inviting on both sides of the family. Then estimate about 80% of that number. It might be a little more or it might be a little less, but this is a good number to base your guest count on.
What is your budget?
Your budget will also play a role in choosing a wedding venue. If you are on a budget and have a large guest count, you might want to consider a more affordable venue. However, if you have a smaller guest count or have a higher allocated budget for the venue and menu, choosing a golf club venue might be a good idea. Golf club venues generally have all inclusive wedding packages, making the planning process simpler. The average budget for just the wedding ceremony and reception is $28,385. However, you will also want to consider other important wedding events, like the rehearsal dinner and the morning after brunch.
When do you want to get married?
Having a date in mind can also be helpful in narrowing down venue options. You will also want to decide if that intended date is flexible at all. Many venues, especially golf club venues book up well in advance. Some are booked for popular date?s year in advance. If you have a date, budget, and have chosen a potential venue, make sure you book it as soon as possible. By the year 1900, there were more than 1000 golf clubs in the U.S. if you have decided on a golf club wedding venue, you should be able to find one that fits your needs. Also keep in mind that many wedding reception venues offer discounts to couples that book on Fridays and Sundays, as these are less common wedding days. If you are willing to marry on one of these days, you could save a significant amount of money.
Do you require the venue to offer other wedding events?
A traditional wedding today includes many more events than the wedding reception. The rehearsal dinner takes places usually the evening before the wedding itself. A newer tradition is that of a wedding brunch. Brunch first began in England and took about 30 years to catch on in the United States, but now it is a big wedding tradition event. A brunch special meal is an event that takes place the afternoon after the wedding. The brunch menu should be carefully chosen as many guests will be waking up after a long night of drinking and celebrating.
Choosing a wedding venue to host your wedding reception is one of the biggest planning decisions that you will make. Before you stress out too much, ask yourself these venue questions. Narrowing down your budget, guest count, venue needs, and location will help you choose the right wedding venue for your reception needs.
