Planning your wedding day should be exciting, not overwhelming! One of the easiest ways to keep your wedding day stress-free is by choosing the right venue. From spacious layouts to built-in amenities, the perfect venue can take a huge weight off your shoulders. In this post, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting a space that will help make your big day run smoothly, so you can focus on what really matters – celebrating love and creating memories.
- Spaciousness. “When it comes to the search for your perfect wedding venue, there are a few things to look for that will instantly help alleviate future stresses in wedding planning! The 2 most important items that need to be tackled first when it comes to wedding planning are the date and venue. The date is a personal decision that planners mostly have no control over. The venue will define your number of guests, style, theme, and most times the vendors you can, or allowed to use. We always say that we can make a large room look smaller but cannot make a small venue bigger. If you are uncertain about your number of guests, go for the bigger venue. Decor, lighting and other tricks of the trade will allow you to make the room to be more attractive. A tight room will cause luck or inability to be creative.” – Ariel Becker, Executive Planner, Becker and The Co.
- Built-in features. “Does it have beautiful features built-in that provide a lot of ambiance that will fit your wedding? Is the space large enough for a ceremony and reception without having to move everyone off-property while you perform a flip? Is the in-house F&B team or kitchen designed to make the food elements easy to produce and serve? Does the venue provide high resolution photographs, a virtual tour, and floor plans? At each step of the journey, you’ll appreciate working with a venue that anticipates challenges and has creative ideas, processes, and building elements to address them.” – Vijay Goel, COO, 440 Elm
- Convenience. “Seek out a venue that is convenient for you and your guests. Consider accessibility, parking, and nearby accommodations, as a well-located venue will save you and your guests time and effort. It is important that the venue can comfortably accommodate your guest list. It’s wise to choose a location that can be adapted to your needs, whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a large celebration.” – Sarah Kuhlberg, Creative Marketing Director, Colette’s Catering & Events
- Ample parking. “Ensure there’s sufficient parking for all your guests or options for valet service.” – Jessica, Lead Planner, First Class Events
- Both indoor and outdoor spaces. “This versatility allows you to have a backup plan in case Mother Nature has weather plans that go against your day-of plans, ensuring a stress-free day regardless of what the skies decide.” – Sarah Kuhlberg, Creative Marketing Director, Colette’s Catering & Events
- Flexible vendor policies. “While some venues have preferred vendor lists, it’s essential to know in advance if there are required vendors you must use at the venue. This can help you manage your overall budget and know in advance if you’ll have the flexibility to bring in your own vendors if you have specific preferences. We operate with an open vendor policy, with exception to our bar services, to provide more flexibility for our couples.” – The Old Barn at Brown County
- All-inclusive packages. “Yes, this is a thing! There are venues that offer everything from in-house catering and bar services, to decor, and even wedding planning services. Choosing a venue with these options can significantly simplify that planning process and reduce the number of vendors you need to coordinate with.” – Sarah Kuhlberg, Creative Marketing Director, Colette’s Catering & Events
- Something that fits your creative energy. “A Creative Canvas venue will have a mix of space, rentals, and recommended/preferred professionals to take a vision and run with it creatively (generally for a premium to luxury wedding) without having to much infrastructure to the point where every wedding there looks the same. An All-Inclusive Venue is generally more of a mass production/retail approach to weddings where set packages allow for very simple planning and minor modifications but you’re unlikely to get the extended time or creative support to do anything out of the box. A Blank Canvas Venue tends to be very hands off and the sheer logistics of having to bring in everything and figure out what works can consume creative energy in the challenges of logistics. Pick the venue philosophy that matches best to the amount of creativity/personalized experience you want to showcase at your wedding vs. a desire for retail-type price quotes in a pre-configured set of tracks.” – Vijay Goel, COO, 440 Elm
- Accommodations for the weekend. “Having a space to stay on site can be super helpful in keeping wedding weekend stress at bay! You won’t be rushing because you’re already where you need to be. This can be beneficial to your vendors as well, especially hair, makeup, photography, and videography!” – The Old Barn at Brown County
- Transparent pricing. “Avoid hidden costs by choosing a venue that provides clear and upfront pricing, including any potential overtime charges. Some venues will charge extra for the pretty white draping or string twinkle lights that you’ve fallen in love with. Ask in advance what is included and what is extra so you can plan your budget!” – First Class Events
- A highly regarded preferred vendor list. “Are they well-regarded wedding pros that you’ve already been following on Pinterest or Instagram? A great group of professionals will generally make a well-planned experienced group who can focus on beautifully executing the custom details come event day.” – Vijay Goel, COO, 440 Elm
- Aesthetic and ambiance. “Beyond the practicalities, choose a venue that aligns with your vision and aesthetic for the day. Whether it’s a rustic barn, elegant ballroom, or beachfront setting, the venue should resonate with your personal style.” – Caleb, CEO, Fitzgerald Hospitality Group
- Availability of decor and rentals. “Some venues offer in-house decor and rental items like chairs, tables, and linens, which can save you the hassle of sourcing them separately. Our goal with our venue is to be as much of an oasis for our couples as we can be. This is why we have onsite accommodations and also include handcrafted farmhouse tables and chairs!” – The Old Barn at Brown County
- Quality of in-house catering. “If the venue provides in-house catering, sample their menu beforehand to ensure the food meets your expectations. We are a preferred catering partner at some of the top venues of Indianapolis, IN including The Sixpence and The Conservatory at Evergreen. We know how important food is for your wedding which is why we offer a complimentary tasting for up to 6 people before you sign a contract with us! This will help you see our versatile menu and make decisions about what you’d like.” – First Class Catering
- A spacious bridal suite. “A comfortable space for the bride and bridal party to get ready can make the preparation process more relaxed and enjoyable. It is also a huge benefit to your photographer and videographer because they’ll have plenty of space for detailed photos (dresses, flat lays, etc.) and getting ready photos of you and your favorite people! Clean design and lots of natural light make this even better, chefs kiss!” – Becca Davis, Adam and Becca Photo & Video
- Clear expectations for the rental. “Understanding if your venue has multiple events each day or allows only one event will be an important decision in your process. While larger venues may be able to accommodate multiple weddings and events at once, it may be confusing for guests and vendors to know which space is the right one! It’s also important to understand the venue’s rental timeframe and what that means: when can your florist and event planner gain access? When does the music have to stop? When does everyone have to be out? Are you responsible for cleaning up before the final end time or does the venue handle that? This will help in planning the sequence of events and ensuring you don’t feel rushed.” – Caleb, CEO, Fitzgerald Hospitality Group
Now that you know how to choose a venue that keeps your wedding day stress-free, it’s time to turn your attention to your guest list! For expert tips on managing your list with ease, be sure to check out our next article, Pro Tips from Top Wedding Industry Experts Regarding Your Wedding Guest List.