Congratulations! You’re engaged! And now that you've shared the big news with your closest friends and family (and let's be honest, probably all of your social accounts too) you may be asking yourself, now what?
Photo provided by: Johnson Photography, LLC
One of the first tasks you’ll need to accomplish after the big question has been popped is to decide where you and your partner want to tie the knot. Choosing a wedding venue is an exciting process – however, finding the perfect location to fit within your budget, the venues availability, popularity, amenities, AND your wedding style can be a daunting task. Consider us here at Wedding & Event Planning By Morgan Nicole, LLC to be your wedding venue copilots for today. We'll walk you through some questions to keep in mind when choosing a wedding venue in addition to a quick list of factors to consider while setting the scene for your dream wedding.
Venues can cost a small fortune, nevertheless they are a fundamental aspect for setting the tone of your special celebration. It can be easy to fall in love with the ambiance of a venue as well as it’s surrounding grounds, so it is crucial to consider these important factors prior to signing your name on that dotted line.
Know your guest list - You’ll need to consider how many guests you’re expecting to invite, how many the venue can seat comfortably (not the maximum/capacity) and unfortunately during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, you will need to consider your states restrictions in terms of group gatherings.
Remember your budget – begin with the total size of your budget (and in my years of experience as a Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Event Planner and a recent Bride-to-be myself - I have found setting a price range is much more realistic as this allows for more flexibility and to prepare for any additional/unexpected costs). Once you have determined a total budget you will want to break it down by category. This is where you would prioritize what is most important to the two of you.
Logistics – including but not limited to facility features (i.e. wheelchair accessible, on-site bridal suite, bathrooms). Do you love the idea of outdoor nuptials? If so, – and if you're like me and believe most of the superstitions, including the one where rain on your wedding day symbolizes good luck – then I will console each of you as I do with my own romantic couples in love, and strongly encourage you to create a rain plan.
Additionally, think about what is included within your venue, for example; in-house catering, table/chair rental and set-up/tear-down, etc. Are you an all-inclusive vs. a la carte couple who thrives off of having options, where you would like to bring in your own vendors, rentals, etc?
Choose a venue that aligns with your vision – what is authentic to the two of you as a couple? Is this a space that represents who you are? Will it enhance your theme? You will also need to determine if you want an all-in-one location or if you are considering using two venues to celebrate your ceremony and reception.
Consider your guests experience – if you envision a destination wedding (and most likely will have out of town guests anyways) you may want to choose a venue near a hotel and reserve a block of rooms for your loved ones. With that being said, are you going to provide any transportation?
Choosing the perfect wedding venue and/or location can truly make (or break) your experience and journey to wedding day planning. Selecting the perfect venue will influence your budget, attire, décor and even guest enjoyment. It is one of the first and biggest decisions, and possibly investments, you will make as an engaged couple. Your venue is where your wedding day vision will come together as well as the place everyone you love will center around – so be sure to keep these things in mind when selecting the perfect backdrop for this next chapter in your Love Story!
Photo provided by: Messy Photography
I hope you enjoyed some of my crazy-easy top tips for ensuring you select the venue and/or location that is a great fit for YOU. Whether you are the Rustic, Boho, Industrial, Romantic, Glamorous or other Bride/Groom, be sure to stay on the look out for our next feature, "Venue Love | Top 9 Michigan Favorites" that will be published on our blog later this month!
Congratulations again + happy planning!
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