Wedding Venues

Picking a Wedding Venue

Choosing a wedding venue for your wedding reception and wedding ceremony tends to be the first step in the wedding planning process. Wedding venues are typically booked 1-2 years in advance, while some only need a few months notice. It all depends on the type of venue and your personal criteria. Not only does the venue determine your wedding date, it also sets the scene of your special day.

Anything can be a venue, from backyards to banquet halls, so be creative! Some questions to ask yourself before searching: are you looking for venues that can accommodate a large event, or a more intimate affair? Do you see yourself saying 'I do' in your place of worship, or with sand between your toes? Is your dream wedding set in a local park or museum? Other venue options include: hotels, farms, restaurants, mansions, government buildings, and inns.

You don't even have to have your wedding reception and wedding ceremony in the same place! Have the ceremony indoors with an outdoor wedding reception location. Or vice versa. Allow yourself the creativity to make your wedding as unique as you are.

However, there are things to consider when choosing a venue. Set up a visit before you book. Pictures and reviews can only tell you so much.

Outdoor Wedding Venue Spaces

When choosing an outdoor venue, be aware of the weather at that specific time of year. Getting married on the beach? Prepare a backup plan for summer storms. Remind your guests to wear sandals or forego shoes altogether, and wear light clothes to stay cool. On the other hand, if you plan on getting married in the fall or winter, layers and warmer clothes are a must.

Many states have 'four seasons in an hour' weather, which can be hard to predict, especially if you're getting married away from home. Do proper research before making the choice to finalize a venue and keep track of the weather in the weeks leading up to your big day. Know that the weather will not make or break the day so don't let it stress you too much.

If it's an outdoor wedding venue, find out what isn't provided and what you will need to bring from the outside. Some parks have pavilions and bathrooms, but nowhere to store food for the reception. Find out if you'll need to bring chairs or tables and what will be needed for additional decorations. Think about the time of day that you want to be married and how that may affect lighting for photography.

Indoor Wedding Spaces

There are also things to consider when choosing an indoor wedding location. In addition to finding out if the venue location is available on your desired date, you should also look into whether or not it is a convenient location for your guests. Does it have the capacity to hold all of your guests? Is there enough parking for all guests? Are there enough bathrooms? Is it climate controlled? These are all important things to note before making the final decision to book a venue.

Taking the Next Step

Deciding on a wedding location is the first step in turning your wedding vision into a reality. It is meant to be fun and exciting. Here at WeddingWire, we have a quick and easy way to find and compare wedding venues in a snap! Just enter the desired zip code or city & state to see a full list of wedding venues in the local area.

If you're still trying to decide where to have the wedding, don't fret! WeddingWire has venue options across the country. Look around before making that final booking.

Regardless of the venue you choose, your wedding is supposed to be a day of incredible love and joy. Relax. Have fun!