A WEDDING PLANNER’S GUIDE TO CHOOSING A WEDDING VENUE
You’ve got the most beautiful engagement ring on your finger and now it’s time to secure a wedding venue! It’s so exciting to dream of where your marriage vows and celebration will take place. Whether you’ve been dreaming of a specific spot, or you have an open mind, your venue needs to reflect you as a couple. When it comes to choosing the perfect wedding venue, my experience as a wedding planner will give you the confidence you need to find your picture-perfect wedding location. If it all seems to be a bit overwhelming, I would love to help you design and plan your wedding day!
Questions to Process Before Choosing a Wedding Venue
There are so many details that go into such a big decision, and it’s my job as a wedding planner to help each couple think through the details before booking. Talk with your fiancé(e) and iron out some of these factors before you begin your search.
Choose the location - there is a lot of freedom to have your wedding anywhere you want! Maybe it’s a Niagara on the Lake destination venue or a meaningful vacation spot - in any case, narrowing the search to a specific location will help in choosing a wedding venue.
Location of Ceremony & Reception - do you want a venue that can accommodate both your ceremony and reception? Or do you picture two locations? It’s convenient to have both at the same venue, but maybe you want your ceremony in a house of worship, upscale barn such as Cambium Farms, or a Vintage Hotel in Niagara On The Lake.
Deciding a Ballpark Budget - your venue and catering costs will typically take up around 40-50% of your total wedding budget. Once you have your wedding budget roughly worked out, keep that number in mind when you look at venue packages and prices. Try to avoid spending too much time on spaces outside your budget.
Estimated Guest Count - it doesn’t have to be exact, but having a basic number of guests will help you in choosing a wedding venue. If you are having an intimate celebration with just close family/friends, or you are having a massive party with the second-, and third-cousins, your guest list will impact which venue you choose.
Narrow Down Potential Dates - you might only have a season, or month in mind initially, but choosing some dates before you speak to venues will help solidify the process. It’s helpful to have more than one date to allow a bit more flexibility for a venue you love.
Style/Theme/Feel - Having an idea of your style and personality as a couple will help you narrow your search for the perfect wedding venue. For example, if your style is understated elegance or vintage glam, a rustic barn might not be the right venue for you. As a wedding planner and designer, I can help you define the style and feel that you’re looking for and help bring your vision to life!
Given all of these details, decide which pieces are the priority for you and your fiancé(e). Perhaps you can afford to boost your budget for the space that perfectly suits you. Maybe the ability to accommodate a large family trumps the style you were hoping for. Or it could be that you have to book further into the future to secure the venue of your dreams. Communicating with your partner and having clearly defined priorities is of utmost importance when choosing a wedding venue.
Ways to Narrow the Search When Choosing a Wedding Venue
Now that you have your priorities sorted, the factors above will guide you when choosing a wedding venue. Searching online is a great place to start. Check out potential venues’ websites, social media, and look for photos and reviews from previous couples. Work together as a couple, go through the options and make decisions together. Try to narrow it down to your top 5 that you’d like to contact and pursue further.
If you’re choosing a wedding venue in Niagara, here are some of my favourite places! LPE’s Top 5 Niagara Vineyard Wedding Venues
Reaching Out to Potential Wedding Venues
Once you have narrowed down your list of possible places, it’s time to reach out and contact them to see if they’re able to accommodate your vision for the big day! Ask some basic questions at the initial contact:
Is your preferred date available?
Can they accommodate your guest size?
What are the costs/package options?
Do they have a backup option in case of inclement weather?
If the location allows, book times to visit the venues to get a better feel for the space. Bring your questions along and don’t be afraid to speak up about what you want - it is your day after all. At the end of the day, it’s okay to trust your gut! If during a visit you just aren’t ‘feeling it’ or it gives you weird vibes, take it off your list. You need to be able to feel at ease on your day!
Choosing a Wedding Venue
Once you have weighed your options, and you’ve decided on a venue, it’s time to book it! I have a whole blog dedicated to the top 12 questions you should ask your wedding venue before booking to help you avoid any surprises. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you read the contract thoroughly.
If the thought of choosing a wedding venue feels like too much for you, let’s chat! Having a wedding planner/designer takes the pressure and stress of all the logistics off of you, allowing you to enjoy your engagement. You can trust my years of experience and knowledge of the Niagara, Hamilton, and GTA areas as I find the perfect venue for you and your future spouse. If you’d like to connect, you can contact me here to get started.
