There is probably no other aspect of a wedding that plays as big a role in setting the ambience as the location itself. No matter how much of an investment you make towards the other essentials, all of it can be easily undone if the location casts a dreary shadow on the entire event.
Discuss With Your Other Half
Before you set out to plan anything, bring your other half into the discussion. See if there are compromises that need to be made in places where your ideas for the wedding differ. Given how this occasion marks the start of your lives together, use it as an opportunity to set a precedent for how you two can work together in perfect synergy towards similar goals.
What Type Of Wedding Do You Want?
Evaluate with your fiancé the type of wedding you wish to have. Do you want to go for formal or casual? Sit-down dinner or cocktail reception? Church wedding or civil ceremony? This should set you on the right path for choosing an appropriate venue for your choice wedding.
Set Out Your Budget
Before you go around looking for a place, decide upon how much you would want to spend on getting a venue. As a general guide, you should allocate about 40 percent of your total budget towards the reception, which includes not only the venue but also the cost of catering, bar, wedding cake, valet and linens.
With your budget in mind, go ahead and shortlist a group of personal wedding venues which cater to your needs. Lynn Okura on Oprah website recommends that you go for a location that already has a lot of ambience and decorates itself, such as a museum or garden, should you find yourself to be on a tight budget at this point.
Take Your Guests Into Consideration
Look for venues that are suitable for the number of guests you are expecting. See also how far the location is for your guests to travel to, as it might be a good idea for you to settle for a venue that is near where the majority of your guests live.
Check For Availability
Check if the venue is available on the day you plan to have your wedding, particularly if you have a fixed wedding date in mind that is not flexible.
Visit The Venue
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to visit the different venues without feeling rushed. Look around the entire place, talk to staff, sample the food and take photos for a thorough appraisal of the area to help you in making the best decision.
Seek The Advice Of Experts
You may find certain family members or relatives take over the entire wedding process, thinking themselves to be experts in the area having gone through a wedding themselves. While you should definitely value their help and advice, it might be useful to also rely on some professional help.
You can consult either a professional wedding venue finding service or wedding planners – both have experience of weddings in different venues – who can help you choose a venue that is best suited for your requirements.
Don’T Lose Sight Of What It’S All About
As you go about finalizing your venue and setting up the event, don’t lose sight of the real purpose of it all. The purpose of your wedding is for you to celebrate your relationship and create long-lasting memories, and not to simply throw the most lavish and extravagant event possible.
