7 Tips To Help Find Your Venue

You're engaged, yay! Now what? You may be wondering where to begin when it comes to finding your ideal wedding venue. It can feel overwhelming when you have so much advice coming from well-intentioned friends and family members, but the wedding industry is constantly evolving. Luckily, our team of event experts is here with seven tips on how to make your venue search as seamless as possible! 

7 TIPS TO HELP find your venue

1. Start Searching for Your Venue Early

On average, most wedding venues book about 9-12 months out. So, if you get engaged in January and are hoping to get married in October, you'll want to jump on your venue search as soon as possible. The most popular dates can quickly start booking up 12-18 months out, or even further, so be sure to give yourself enough time to start your search without being stressed. 

2. REVIEW YOUR GUEST COUNT

You should have a guest list drafted when looking for your wedding venue. The guest count is essential to wedding planning, as it will determine what size venue you should look for. Also - remember how many people attend your wedding = how many people you are paying for, so you'll want an accurate number to get quotes for. 

3. DON'T GET HUNG UP ON A DATE

You found the venue of your dreams, but shoot - they're booked on that specific Saturday evening you picked. We always recommend falling in love with the location before setting your heart on a particular date. Remember - the photos of your venue are what you have at the end of the day and for the rest of your lives! Make sure you're fully in love with the venue you choose, and then pick a date based on their availability. 

4. Determine YOUR BUDGET

Creating a budget doesn't have to be a drag. It is crucial that you have a realistic budget in mind before you start going on venue tours. Not sure where to start? This helpful article breaks it all down for you. 

5. CONSIDER THE LOCATION

 If you have a lot of guests traveling, you may want to consider things like hotels, parking, and proximity to the nearest airport. Ask your venue team for their recommendations on your venue tour. They may have a relationship with a local hotel and can give you information on how to set up a room block. 

6. brainstorm your wedding style

Have you thought about what you envision for your wedding day? Will it be indoors or outdoors? Garden, beach, or modern? Exploring your wedding style before looking for a venue can help narrow your search. 

7. CREATE A PRIORITY LIST (and stick to it)

Before committing to a venue:

1. Consider the items on your priority list. Sit down with your partner and write a list of your top priorities for the wedding - for example, the décor, food, bar, and more.
2. Think about what you want for your wedding and what can make your event convenient and extraordinary.
3. Be clear on what you want to include on your wedding day.
   
   

Find Your Ideal Wedding Venue

At Wedgewood Weddings, we are wedding-obsessed and have a ton of different venues that could be 'the one' for you. If you're ready to start planning with us, call us today at 866.966.3009 to book a walk-through at one of our award-winning wedding venues in your area!