What are your wedding venue "must have" requirements?

Convenience was top on our list since we are having a DW. Our “ideal” venue was in a hotel so guests didn’t need to worry about driving, Uber’ing, etc. to another location- they could just leave their hotel room and walk downstairs. I also had to have a venue that provided both indoor (reception) and outdoor (ceremony) spaces. We hoped to find a place that was somewhat all-inclusive (ie, offered in-house catering services, tables, chairs, set up/tear down services, etc), and we were lucky enough to find everything on our wish list!

We really wanted something budget friendly that also had beautiful views. We ended up picking a park that overlooks a bay

Venue overlooking the sea and both inside and outside space.

Beautiful outside area for a ceremony and a place to get ready.

I required overnight accommodations for me and my bridesmaids, clean up service, ceremony and reception area, tables, chairs, and linens. We ended up finding a place that offered all of this plus more for the entire weekend at such an affordable rate!

I needed a venue that had a large space and we weren’t restricted to small room for the amount of people we are having. We looked at a lot of venues and for 150 they wanted to put us in a space that fit 150 cramped in. We needed a space that the guests would be spread out more as my FH is in a wheelchair and I wanted him to be able to mingle through the guest and not be confined to one area.


This proved harder than we thought and I actually got into an argument with an owner over this because I even offered to pay for a larger room to have more space and they said no. We finally found our venue at a hotel about 10 minutes from our church and they are being very accommodating about everything. The ballroom is beautiful and I can’t wait!!

We just wanted a place that meant something to one of us. FH's family owns a christmas tree farm that is very near and dear to his heart, and we will probably end up taking over the business someday, so it was an easy choice for ceremony venue! I did really want to have the reception in the same area, but I was talked out of it in case of weather complications, but that's fine. I am very grateful that we get to be married in a location so important and dear to him. And it was free!

We wanted a place that was convenient for the guests. So we picked a venue that is off the highway (it's not loud promise lol), also has signs with it. That has an airport shuttle. We also wanted it so guests didn't have to travel so we ended up going with a ballroom at a hotel that is rustic and elegant. Plus we have a complimentary bridal suite for the night before and night of the wedding. My bridesmaids and I are going to be getting ready there. Overall super happy with my venue.

Our must haves were a venue overlooking the Gulf with indoor and outdoor space, white beach and a place all of our friends and family could have fun for the weekend.

For me it had a lot to do with food

When we were venue hunting, our must haves included a space for an outdoor ceremony and an open-air barn for the reception! I had always dreamed of getting married on a vineyard, but I didn't put it on the must have list, because never thought I would find a vineyard with an open-air barn... BUT WE DID! Our venue checked off boxes I didn't even know I had and was absolutely perfect!

I never saw the last two Twilight movies, but I remember being a teenager coming out of that phase (not a phase) while the 4th movie trailer was coming out and I tried so hard to be a jerky teen and find flaws, but that wedding clip had me speechless and in this shock/awe. Since then, its secretly been my dream wedding. Fast forward 12 years and booking my venue, not at all like the movie, only to realize I can totally put garland over the beams and add lights to make it like Twilight, but indoors.


Thats what sealed the deal for me. Also the fact it had great parking for everyone and a working elevator for FH's grandfather

We wanted unique! We are an older couple (40's) and this is our second marriage each (after brief ones in our very early 20's). We didn't want to replicate anything that we did before so that helped us focus. We've selected an old Firehouse - it was actually one of the first built when they converted from horse-drawn carriages to engines. Our theme is Industrial Chic so the exposed brick, polished concert floors, and steel covered ceiling is perfect for us. Requiring a lot of work since everything has to be brought in but it's also giving us a lot of freedom to find things we really want!!

I wanted a venue that was able to fit both mine and my FH family and I also wanted a venue that was going to allow me to do anything I wanted and change whatever I wanted. Thank god I found one!!

For us, the most important thing was that they would let us do our swordfight, as well as have the appropriate space for us.

After that, it was quality of food, the aesthetic, and price, all roughly the same importance.

The first one did rather narrow down our options...

I knew I wanted a place that provides the space, the service, the equipement and the food, all in one.