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9 min read

Exploring Wedding Venues

Exploring Wedding Venues

During the first few weeks of your engagement, it’s as if you’re in a sweet, clueless bubble. Everything is new and exciting, and the possibilities are endless! But then you realize, the possibilities literally are endless, and that is quite an overwhelming thought! At Wedgewood Weddings, we believe that one of the first big wedding decisions you need to make is your venue; however, a quick Google search will pull up hundreds of thousands of options. So, it can be pretty tricky to know where to even start to narrow them down!

 

Luckily for you, our team of wedding planners has more than enough experience to help you find the perfect wedding venue for you and your spouse. We spend all of our time obsessing about weddings; it’s all we talk about and dream about! We understand that every wedding is different because every couple is different, so we’re committed to bringing your unique ideas to life. We’ve organized and hosted thousands of weddings and we know exactly how to make your vision a reality.

 

Galway Downs by Wedgewood Weddings  (5)

Choose an Epic Location for Epic Wedding Photos

 

 

How To Choose the Best Wedding Venue

The truth is, the only way to start narrowing down wedding venue options is to make the smaller decisions that will add up to your venue choice. Things like location, venue capacity, date availability, and venue amenities all impact the type of wedding you will create. So, let’s start there!

 

When choosing the location, many couples choose to get married close to home to make it easy for their friends and family to enjoy the celebration with them. So, if you already live in your dream location, picking a city and state for your wedding venue is pretty simple! However, many couples opt for a destination wedding so they can get married in an exotic location with better weather and epic views.

 

Next, consider your ideal venue capacity. Whether or not you choose to have a destination wedding will greatly impact the guest list as destination weddings are generally much smaller. You don’t have to have your guest list completely locked down to pick a venue, but it’s a good idea to have a ballpark figure in mind. Also, remember that even if a venue looks exceptionally large, most venues (including Wedgewood Weddings venues) have the ability to be arranged to feel intimate even with only 25 guests.

 

At Wedgewood Weddings, our wedding planning experts always recommend that you pick your wedding venue before your wedding date. Even if you’ve always dreamed of having a June wedding, allow yourself the space to consider other options if it means you can get the venue you really want. Saturday and Sunday dates in the spring and summer fill up amazingly fast at most every wedding venue, so think outside the box when you choose your wedding date. Consider a weekday wedding or an off season wedding to secure the best wedding venue and the wedding of your dreams. We think you’ll be thankful you did.

 

Finally, really take the time to think about what wedding venue amenities are important to you and your fiancé. Do you want a wedding coordinator? Do you want in-house catering? What about a bridal suite? Sit down with your fiancé and make a list of non-negotiable amenities, and then find a wedding venue that provides them.

 

Bel Vino Winery by Wedgewood Weddings (5)

Find a Wedding Venue with Outstanding Amenities

 

 

Common Questions to Ask Potential Venues

As you set out to compare wedding venues, it’s a good idea to have a list of questions to ask. We recommend bringing a physical list, so you remember all your questions and leave with all the information you need to make a decision. We used this list by HereComesTheGuide.com to pick out our top ten most asked questions and their answers. For even more answers, visit our common wedding questions page.

  1. What dates are available in the month I’m considering?

Availability will vary depending on the venue you choose to tour; however, keep in mind that we host weddings seven days a week, so you won’t be limited to Saturday and Sunday dates when you choose Wedgewood Weddings.

  1. How many people can this location accommodate?

Venue sizes vary by location but, on average, our venues can hold 2 to 200 people. If you choose to have a smaller guest count at a larger venue, we can always arrange it to make your wedding feel more intimate.

  1. What is the rental fee and what’s included in that price?

At Wedgewood Weddings, we have a simple formula for determining your total wedding price. Start by multiplying the per person package price by your anticipated guest count. Then add your ceremony and venue price, and finally your tax and service fee. Because our venues are all-inclusive, this price includes everything except your photographer and attire.

  1. What is the payment play for the entire bill? And what forms of payment do you accept?

25% of your total is due when you book, 25% is due 180 days before your wedding date and the remaining 50% is due 10 days before your wedding date. Payment can be made by certified check, money order, or debit card.

  1. What is the cancellation policy?

We are unable to give refunds as event dates are locked in at the time the contract is signed. All payments are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you cancel within 45 days of your wedding date, the full amount of all estimated charges is due to Wedgewood Weddings.

  1. Do you have an in-house caterer or a list of preferred caterers, or do I need to provide my own? If there is an in-house caterer, do I have the option of using my own?

All Wedgewood Weddings venues have their own in-house caterers, and that service is included in your total bill. We do not allow outside catering or bar services.

  1. What is the service charge?

The service charge is an industry-standard fee charged on all Wedgewood Weddings services. It covers the time to prepare for and provide staff for your event.

  1. Is there a cake-cutting fee?

No! At Wedgewood Weddings, we never tack on any additional fees. Your wedding package covers everything you will need, and we are always upfront about the total cost.

  1. Are we allowed to bring our own decorations?

Yes! Just let us know about your ideas during the planning meetings and we’ll find a way to make them happen. If we know about your décor plans in advance, we will even set them up and break them down for you, so you have one less thing to do on your wedding day.

  1. What security service do you offer?

If you include a hosted bar in your package and you have a large number of guests, we require security services for everyone’s safety. We’ll let you know of any security fees that need to be included in your package.

 

Hero - Jefferson St Mansion by Wedgewood Weddings

 

Our Wedding Venues

 

The wedding experts at Wedgewood Weddings are very familiar with the way venues are organized into online databases. Often, we find referral sites compile database pages based on the couple’s location only, so the results are overwhelming and can make it difficult to compare wedding venues. That’s why we’ve compiled our venues based on what type of wedding experience you’d like to have! We hope you find this method both easy to understand and enjoyable as you set out to find the perfect wedding venue for you.

TOES IN THE SAND AND OCEAN VIEWS

Wedgewood Weddings has four wedding venues that feature the option to get married right on the beach. Each of these locations is in California so they are perfect for our West Coast couples or for couples looking for a destination wedding option. When you choose one of these venues, you can say your vows in the sand, then move the party to your chosen beachfront, cliff top, or harborside reception location. Your wedding coordinator will help you with license and permit support and organize your elegant reception where your guests can enjoy the best wedding food and entertainment around!

Our beach wedding venues include:  Carmel Fields, Pacific View Tower, The Carlsbad Windmill, and San Clemente Shore


WOODLAND


Are you and your fiancé outdoorsy? Do you love nature and gorgeous mature trees? Then our selection of woodland wedding venues might be right for you. Many of our woodland venues feature statement trees that are perfect for beautiful wedding photos, and we love the idea of adding tree elements through your wedding theme. Consider incorporating evergreen spruce elements to your ceremony arches and head table décor or adding locally gathered pinecones as a nod to love and fertility and the Goddess Venus. Some couples even choose to plant a young tree or sapling on their wedding day as a symbol of love that will grow through nourishment and nurturing.

In addition to the woodsy elements, our woodland venues also feature rustic orchards enhanced with verdant meadows and flowering vegetation, like our signature white roses. Pose among mature shade trees in ancient forests for magical wedding photos you’ll cherish forever. Your wedding will feel both classic and ethereal at any of these woodland venues.

Our woodland venues include:

 

Officers’ Club at The Presidio (2)

Magical Woodland Wedding Photos to Cherish Forever

 

MOUNTAIN VIEWS


Are you an outdoorsy couple that prefers wide open spaces over woods? Then our selection of mountain view venues might be the best wedding venue for you. The wonderful thing about mountains is that they are breathtaking in every season. You could choose to get married among the new buds of spring, the warm sunny skies of summer, the changing foliage of fall, or cozy up in winter for a beautiful wedding no matter what. Each of our mountain view venues offers panoramic views of high peaks or rolling valleys, and they each feature a rustic, natural vibe.

Best of all, though it may seem like you have to scale a mountain to experience stunning mountain views, our venues are easy to get to and not far off the beaten path. You’ll feel secluded and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, which is the perfect way to relax and celebrate with your loved ones.  

Our venues with mountain views include:

 

HISTORY

A historic venue might be right for you if you love the swagger of crystal chandeliers, lush drapes, period features, and rich history, but you’re also a modern couple who enjoys modern conveniences. Each of our historic mansions and manor houses have been preserved and restored to maintain the historic feel while also guaranteeing a comfortable and unique wedding experience for you and your guests.

We have everything from the American Colonial Era to the height to Yuppie extravagance and that’s not even mentioning the architecture! Our venues feature Queen Anne architecture, elegant Victoriana, or the graceful style of a pre-civil war era villa with Empire-inspired design and Italianate gardens. Your vintage side will positively swoon at the options at these historic venues.

Our historic venues include:

 

MODERN



Designed to impress both you and your guests, our modern wedding venues are chic and distinctive. These venues feature a mix of contemporary, classic, modern, and traditional styles. Your own personal style will be complemented nicely by the neutral decor in both our indoor and outdoor ceremony or reception areas.

Each of our modern venues feature a skillfully designed outdoor ceremony area, a friendly cocktail patio, and a grand, oversized ballroom for your reception. Your guests will enjoy the views out king-sized windows, marvelous acoustics, and attractive architectural features that will take your wedding day to the next level.

Our modern wedding venues include:

 

RUSTIC AND BOHEMIAN 

We also have a selection of renovated barn wedding venues, reimagined carriage houses, and back-to-nature wedding venues that are perfect for the type of couple that enjoys the outdoors in an artful, unconventional way. The ceremonies are held outdoors where you and your guests can enjoy wide open spaces and fresh air. We have everything from a classic red barn to an equestrian center to a creekside wedding venue, so your wedding can be as unique as you are.

While the vibe of your wedding will be delightfully rustic, the amenities are fully modern. Each venue is carefully maintained and conveniently updated for your comfort as you celebrate your big day. You’ll love the pastoral style and vintage touches like wrought iron fixtures and weather-worn equipment. For even more natural touches, our wedding venues even welcome the local wildlife! From longhorn cattle and thoroughbred stallions to nesting eagles and resident deer, you can include wildlife in your rustic, bohemian wedding.

Our rustic and bohemian venues include:

 

These categories are just a snapshot of the venues owned by Wedgewood Weddings. If the type of wedding experience you are looking for isn’t listed, check our website for even more categories sorted by region, style, and features. Take as much time as you need to compare wedding venues; with so many options, we’re sure you can find a perfect wedding venue to suit both your wants and needs.

 Pacific View Tower by Wedgewood Weddings Indian Wedding

Wow Your Guests with a Gorgeously Styled Wedding Venue

 

 

oUR Wedgewood Weddings Difference

 

So, out of all the best wedding venues in the United States, why should you choose one by Wedgewood Weddings? Because access to our unique and beautiful wedding venues is only one piece of the whole package you get when you book with us. You also get to choose between four completely customizable wedding packages, you get transparent pricing, so you always know what you’re paying for and what to expect, and you get an entire team of wedding experts to help you every step of the way! And there’s more!

 

When we say we’re a team of wedding experts, we mean it! Our crew has been hosting phenomenal special events since 1986 and we are completely dedicated to making every single wedding unique and awesome! Through all of our experience, we’re able to answer your questions before you’ve even asked them and we’re open seven days a week so you can come to us any time with any detail, no matter how minor. Finally, we also offer special discounts and other opportunities to save through our Bliss Benefits program or by thinking outside the box when you choose your wedding date. We do this because we truly want to help you achieve the wedding of your dreams, no matter your budget.

 

Ready to get started? Call or text us today at (855) 865-8325 to book a personal venue walkthrough at the venue closest to you! We’ll answer all your questions, compare wedding venues with you, and help you find the perfect wedding venue.

 

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