Getting Frustrated Finding the perfect Venue

I was so worried I wouldn’t find the effect venue. Honestly we just kept giving places a try. Just keep going to places and checking them out. You’ll find something you like! Maybe try giving a place you would never think of a try.

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

I'd definitely recommend checking into places that don't necessarily advertise as wedding venues. Near me I can think of vineyards, breweries, distilleries, and farms that have and will host weddings, but don't actively advertise it and/or aren't listed on sites like wedding wire. We ended up picking a distillery as our venue - they have an events tab hidden on their website where they mention they can host parties, gatherings, or weddings, but that's it. Keep looking - I'm sure you'll find somewhere great!

In addition, state parks and large Airbnb properties can also be great venues!

I went to a dozen venues and it took me a while too. Sometimes you have to compromise about certain aspects you're looking for. For the most part my venue was nice but there were definitely things about it I'd have liked to change

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A state park wedding in the fall sounds really pretty!

Have you tried parks and rec? Or golf country clubs?
There are many hidden gems in parks. They are more hands on providing only tables and chairs but the scenery and many stand alone buildings provide a more rustic vibe. Also the prices can be amazing!
Country clubs are usually all inclusive and some have a nice rustic look to them. Not all of them are uptight and stuffy. Some are in more secluded areas so there are views of trees and ponds. They are used to holding events too.

When I first started looking into venues, I really wanted to go with a barn. I'm getting married next fall and wanted a rustic, romantic, nature-y vibe.

After looking into different barns, how pricey they can be, and the limitations that many of them have, I started looking elsewhere, including golf courses/country clubs--which I never would've imagined considering.

I realized that what was most important to me was convenience (everything in one place, not having to bring in many outside vendors or do a ton of decorating), nature (I need trees and water in my pictures, lol), and a place that could handle multiple types of weather. In my state in October, it can be 85 or it can snow.

I ended up choosing a golf course/country club, which was way more affordable than a lot of the barn options I originally looked at. We can do the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, pictures, and getting ready all at the venue. It's nestled in the woods, and the course has rivers and ponds throughout, so I still get the nature element I was after. The venue handles the food, alcohol, set up, etc., and have lanterns and flowers that I can borrow for centerpieces and the aisle.

I'm not a golf person and neither is my FH, but we fell in love with our venue. It ended up being a great compromise from my original vision, and will have way less headaches!

We looked at many venues. Our deciding factor - who was going to be at the wedding. Our folks are elderly and some can't walk as much. And in being in Colorado, so many beautiful mountain venues we available but we didn't want to make it difficult for them to move around. We comprised on a more local venue. It's literally Red Rocks with out being with the crowd at Red Rocks. Our engagement shoot will be taken place on our adventures throughout Colorado. And during October (So excited)

Had the same problem for a couple of months and yeah, it was super frustrating to a point where the wedding planning just kind of stopped for like 2 months (to give oneself a mental break).

We went through every option from country clubs, event halls, banquet halls, and even contemplated parks. Country clubs/golf courses are nice if you have them in your areas and if you don't have many options with country clubs or halls, maybe consider parks. The fee is usually reasonable.

Although I didn't consider it, I have had friends in the past that looked into having their wedding in a nice restaurant. These are the options no one really thinks about but totally work.

I ended up renting a nice banquet hall that was owned by a House Association. Best decision ever since we can bring our own vendors unlike most other places that have mandatory list of preferred vendors.

Hopefully something I wrote above this gave some help. Hang in there! Wish you all the best and hopefully you find your dream venue.

I’m definitely struggling with this. I found one I liked, but then I decided on a theme (where I wasn’t going to have one before) and now I feel like that original place doesn’t really fit the new theme, so I started looking again, but the only places near me that would fit the theme (a castle/large manor house, it’s a Harry Potter themed wedding) are also waaaaaaay out of our price range. I’m now just looking for something beautiful but also affordable and making up for the difference with decorations.

We knew we wanted a big house on the water in our beach town. It was impossible finding something that checked all the boxes. After wanting to throw my laptop and elope I expanded my search to a neighboring city and found everything we wanted plus some! It even came in at our original budget after we thought we would have to double the budget for a decent venue. I'm sure you'll find something, be patient and try to get creative with the search. Good luck!

Thank you Everyone for the advice!!

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I agree with everything she said. I initially wanted a barn/rustic wedding but after looking at prices for my top two dream venues, they were just not realistic. I started looking at other options like golf courses and restaurants where I could still incorporate the decor I really wanted. I actually fell in love with my venue the first time we took a tour. It's a ballroom which I didn't think I wanted at all, so definitely a compromise with the setting, but I will be adding the romantic/ boho touches I wanted all along. I also wanted to have to hire as little outside vendors as possible which will keep my stress levels down lol

I am also getting frustrated when it comes to finding a venue. I agree with Allaura, keep trying, hun.

I researched and asked for costs for about 60 different venues before I found the perfect one! We're, actually getting married in another state about an hour and a half from where we live. It's 10 minutes from FH's hometown so most of his side will be in the area, but my family will have to travel 2 1/2 hours. That's the same distance they'd have to travel if we got married in my current town, so they were totally okay with it!

We’re having issues too 😞 I live in Southern California and are either way too overpriced and the food that they cater looks really disgusting (it looks like high class rich people food). And my family is super Mexican so that will not fly lol they’d rather have a taco guy. And most venues do not allow outside catering for me to do that. So we’re trying to go a different route and rent out a mansion for a few days and have a nice estate wedding with no “packages”, restrictions, etc. Let’s see how this goes 😭 good luck by the way!

View Quoted Comment Thank you, Good luck to you as well

We are having our ceremony at a local park. $25 and we have it as long as we need it and it is reserved through the city. Small and simple, but I know some farms will allow you to rent their land for a day too. Vineyards and hotel event centers too. Maybe community gardens too.

So sorry you’re going through this stress! I’m also having a fall wedding and we had a stressful time finding a venue. (We finally found a barn that I love.)

I ended up compromising on the date. I originally wanted October, now the date is end of November. (But fortunately for me, that’s really when the fall foliage looks best, so that is a win.)