Picking Your Venue
Getting started with wedding planning can be hard, but the best place to start is the beginning. The beginning can be different things to different people. Some couples start with a planner, some with their engagement photographer. Our favorite place to start is picking your venue. It’s the keystone that will help all other pieces fall into place.
No matter if your ring was hidden in a piece of chocolate cake, flanked by fireworks, or handed over by a flash mob, you are still in the same boat as all other newly engaged couples. And you have NO idea what direction your boat is headed.
It’s electrifying to get engaged. You have a rock on your finger, a promise from a person you adore, and a new reason to post on the ‘gram. But after the excitement settles, the panic sets in. What is next?!
Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard
Wedding planning is not as scary as it sounds. You just need to take it one step at a time. And your next step is picking a the place. Did you think it was picking your date? Not so fast!
While the date you choose is important, having that perfect square on the calendar is not the most important thing. Start with having a time of year in mind. Don’t get married to a specific date! It is more important that you love where you are getting married.
The wedding venue is something you will always remember. It will dictate many of the details of your wedding. The size of your guest list and whether your décor is rustic or elegant; it will be dictated by the location. It will also be the backdrop of your professional images and iPhone photos your Aunt Susan takes during the ceremony as well. They will all remember the venue, but what they will not remember is the date. Even if you pick something cute like 12.12.21. It looks great one an invitation, but it will not make or break the day.
Below are the top questions you need to ask yourself and your fiancé when picking a wedding venue:
Powel Crosley Estate, Photo by Ying Photography
Do I want my wedding indoors, outdoors, or a mix of both?
Inside is nice. It is dry, temperature-controlled and eliminates a lot of the worry that Florida weather brings. But you will lose the amazing tropical scenery that made you want to have your wedding here in the first place. Which is more important to you?
How many guests do I want at my big day?
You can find the most amazing venue with picture perfect water views… but it only seats 45 guests. And your mother has already given you of 125 of your cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends that you haven’t seen since the 90s. Maybe this venue means more to you than those additional people. But if you have a firm guest list, you’ll need to love a venue that can accommodate them comfortably.
What’s my style?
There are a hundreds of styles to choose from, but at a minimum, you should narrow it down to elegant, rustic, or modern. Elegant venues include botanical gardens, ballrooms, and historic homes. Rustic venues are typically a barn, farm, or ranch. Modern venues may include art museums, restaurants, banquet spaces or something more unique. These are not finite rules as you can have a funky ballroom reception or an elegant barn wedding. It’s a starting line to help slim down what you want.
Who is on the vendor list?
A majority of venues have preferred lists. Sometimes you must stick to them and sometimes you do not. It is most often a good idea to hire from their list because they are vetted vendors who work well at your that venue. But if your wedding location provides the catering too, you want to make sure it tastes as good as the venue looks. And that the food doesn’t blow out your budget. Venues that allow outside caterers give you more options to compare quotes. All inclusive venues also have preset packages provide the other vendors you will need in one price. This is wonderful if you do not want to find these companies yourself. But if you want more control over your wedding, package pricing might not be for you.
What will it cost?
When comparing venues, you want to have all the information. Grand Estates might be $2000 more than Blooming Gardens, but maybe Grand Estates includes tables and chairs. Maybe those chairs are really ugly, so it does not matter. Know exactly what is included AND what its value is to you. Budgeting is a topic for a different blog, but you should make sure you do not spend all your allotted budget on the location. You still need to feed and entertain your guests properly. And while a venue rental fee may seem low, what if they require you to use the highest priced caterers in town? Their bargain price tag may seem attractive but read the fine print and arm yourself with information.
Do I like it or LOVE it?
This is the pinnacle question. Why host such a magical event in a venue that makes you go “meh”? Your venue selection should really excite you. It needs to be a place you want to come back and visit. It should fit both of your personalities. You can love something that is way out of budget, but you need a place that meets ALL your criteria above. A healthy mix of research and trusting your gut will make your venue selection a breeze.
The Sarasota Modern, Photo by Cat Pennenga Photography
Answering the above questions will send you on your journey down the aisle. And if the journey is too stressful to take alone, hire a planner! There is nothing wrong with bringing in an expert. Even if it is just to help coordinate for the day. Your wedding day does not define you. It is a celebration of your love. Things can (and probably will) go wrong, and it does not ruin the day. A perfect wedding will be imperfect. You just need to do what feels right, trust the pros, and have a good time!