Finding Your Venue
You are engaged and you have celebrated to your heart’s content… now it’s time to start planning! If you have read our guide on setting your budget, then you will know that this is your first wedding task. Sorry, I know, it is such a boring task to begin this fun time with but it needs to be done right at the start!
Once you have established your budget and determined your ideal guest numbers, you can start with the really fun part - finding your venue!
Choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions in your wedding plans. The venue sets the tone for your entire celebration. So, how do you go about finding the perfect place to celebrate your love?
Decide what YOU want!
You will be sick of me saying to do what YOU want to do! Before you start your venue search, it is so important to have a clear vision of what you want your wedding to look and feel like. What kind of wedding do you want? Do you want luxury or do you want a more casual vibe? Do you want a wedding at home or abroad? Do you want a castle in Ireland or a vineyard in the Algarve? Maybe you like the idea of both and want to explore two totally different options? Do you see yourselves celebrating by the sea or in a city setting? You and your partner need to sit down to discuss and ideally agree upon the overall style of the wedding.
Take Your Time
When selecting a location for your wedding, consider places that hold significance for you as a couple. The location should be meaningful, whether it is where you are from, where you met, where you love to travel to or simply a dream destination of yours. Consider the climate at the time of year you plan to marry, how easy it is to travel to the location and examine the legal requirements for marriage in your chosen destination.
Find a Wedding Planner
If you are getting married abroad, it is so important to have a wedding planner… I may be biased but hiring a wedding planner early in the planning process can help take away a lot of unnecessary stress! A wedding planner’s experience is invaluable, especially when navigating the complexities of selecting your perfect venue. There really is so much to think about… and a planner will know the right questions to ask!
Chat to The Venues
Once you have a few venues in mind, get in touch with them and ask for as much information as possible. Take time to read through the details and really understand what is included in the venue’s prices and whether additional elements will involve extra charges. Ask for an estimate of all costs, including taxes and service fees if they apply, for your expected guest count. This will help you determine if the venue fits within your budget. If the venue works within your budget and your wedding vision, you should arrange to visit it together.
Go and Visit Potential Venues
A site visit provides invaluable insights into the venue’s atmosphere, layout, and potential pros and cons. It allows you to imagine your wedding day, assess the vibe of the place, and identify logistical considerations. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, rely on virtual tours, photos, and communication with your planner and venue staff to make an informed decision. Also, it’s important to understand the venue’s specific requirements or protocols, such as set-up and finish up times and decor or noise limitations.
How do they work?
Find out how the venue works with outside suppliers. Some venues provide lists of required or preferred suppliers - do these fit within your wedding vision? If so, make sure to get estimates from these suppliers before committing to the venue to ensure their pricing aligns with your budget. Ask the suppliers how they find working at a certain venue. They are the people who know the important stuff! Does the venue do its own catering? Find out about their menu options and whether they can accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions. If not, ask about the venue’s policies on external catering. Are tastings included in the contracted price? Additionally, if you don’t plan to hire a wedding planner or wedding stylist, ensure the venue provides experienced coordinators or planners to assist with setup, coordination, and breakdown.
Do you love Plan B as much as Plan A?
Unfortunately is it SO important to discuss Plan B for undesirable weather. Ask your venue/wedding planner if there are alternative indoor locations on-site or if tenting is required. Understand the additional costs of these plans to ensure a successful event regardless of the weather. This rule applies for weddings at home and abroad because it does also rain in Portugal and Italy from time to time!
Be Sound but Cautious
If it sounds too good to be true, be careful. Be cautious of venues that lack experience hosting weddings. Not all venues can host a full scale wedding celebration. Obviously wedding venues go through very busy periods during wedding season when they aren’t as available to deal with your enquiry or carry out a site visit so be patient with them as long as they keep you updated.
With all of that being said, find a venue that truly makes you happy. I always tell my couples that it’s hard to choose a venue until you have physically walked through the doors and felt the energy of the place and you have seen exactly how it looks in real life. Does it align with your vision for the day? Deciding on your venue can seem like a hugely daunting task but once you have decided and have chosen your date, the fun is only really beginning and you are going to have the best day!
Make sure to drop me a message if you want to chat about finding your perfect venue! I would love to hear from you.
With Love,
Nessa x
