Things to Consider When Choosing a Venue

Yay! I recently got engaged and now I get to do the fun wedding stuff! This is a super exciting event in your life and every bride to be should be enjoying the engagement, as well as start thinking about questions such as: where? when? The time has come to look at the venues. There are many things to consider when looking for a venue and here are a few questions you should ask.

1. Price

You need to know the price, so you can make the most economical decision. You want to pay for your marriage and not your wedding. I would rather have an amazing apartment, rather than a great one day. Of course, this is the day you dreamed of your life, but money still matters.

2. Ask about the food and beverage.

Most venues have a minimum of how much you need to spend on the food and beverage, this is where I feel the venues make the most money, so avoid these venues unless you can afford to buy everyone drinks and all of the food.

3. Ask about the sound system, is there an extra fee?

his is important. I am trying to have a thrifty wedding so I will not need a DJ or a band. It's all on an iPod playlist. A lot of brides avoid this, but I honestly think this is the best thing to do. My sister did this for her wedding and EVERYONE loved the music. It was a playlist, which I, myself, had put together and a lot of people danced.

4. Cake cutting fees

A lot venues have a cake cutting fee, or they do have a fee ask if you can cut the cake yourself. The charge is usually 2.00 per person. You can save a bunch of money right there.

5. Set up and tear down

Sometimes the venue provides setup and a teardown for your special day. Find out how much they charge or even if they do. Sometimes that service is included in your venue rental price, so find out what they do.

6. How do you feel about confetti and candles?

Many venues don't like confetti because it is a pain to clean-up and annoying. Candles are more of a fire safety issue. However, they usually allow LED lights for that.

7. See if catering is included.

This will help you narrow down your venues.

8. Ceremony?

Every Venue wants to know if the ceremony will be on-site or off-site? So if you are having a church wedding they need to know that, so they know how long you need the venue for and how many spaces you will be needing.

9. Do they charge for plates, utensils, chairs, or tables?

If they do then that is going to be one expensive wedding.

10. Ask about secure gift areas.

At your wedding, you get a lot of gifts, so ask if there is a secure area to have your gifts stored. Especially if this is a hotel and you plan on spending your wedding night there.

11. Parking

Depending on the venue you might have to pay for parking for each guest or it might be free or even included in your rental fee.

12. The date

This one is a no brainer. You want the perfect date, so first pick a date and see if it is available. It is a good idea to have a backup date just in case.

13. Smoking area?

Now, a good portion of my fiance's family smokes, so it is important to know the designated smoking areas.

14. Consider the vegetarian options.

Many Millennials are now vegan or vegetarian so make sure you can have a vegetarian option for food. Buffets are probably the best way to go.

15. Bar and bartenders?

Do they have a bar? Do they hire a bartender? Or do you have to hire one yourself? Is there an open bar option? Can you have a toonie bar? Do they have a liquor license or do need to buy one? Is it possible to have a signature drink? Do they charge for unopened bottles after the reception? Is there a corkage fee? Ask all of the questions!

16. What are the payment methods?

What is the deposit? Are there payment plans for your special day? Finances my dears!

17. What are the table settings?

Do they have linens? See and ask the questions!

18. Ask yourself can you see your wedding happening here?

Does it go with the theme? Is this what you really want? Is it at a fair cost? If the answer is yes to all of those questions, then book it and get married and live happily ever after if your spouse or partner.