How to Pick a Wedding Venue

Picking the perfect wedding venue is a huge part of planning your big day. You want to make sure both you and your partner love it, it's accessible to the people you want to invite, it fits within the style you envision, it's available on your date, and it's within your budget. Below are some tips to help you pick the best venue for your day.

Will it accommodate the number of people you plan on hosting?
Does it fit into your budget?
Is it available on your wedding day?
Does it fit the theme you envisioned?
Did you schedule a walk-through?
Pay attention to lighting!
1. Check out the Bridal Suite when touring the venue. You want to make sure there will be enough room for your bridesmaids, mother, hair & makeup artists, photographer, and videographers to move around. Natural lighting is the most important factor! Check to see if there are lots of windows this will ensure the best lighting for all of your getting-ready portraits.
2. If your venue does not offer a Bridal Suite, you can look into a hotel or Airbnb that is nearby.
3. Make sure to go over the same steps when looking for a location for Groom prep!
Will guests be able to get from point A to point B?
1. If your venue does not accommodate people overnight make sure it is easy for your guests to get from their hotel to your wedding venue and back.
If you're planning an outdoor wedding do they have a backup plan if it rains?
1. Outdoor ceremonies are my personal favorite! They offer the best lighting and backdrops. If you are planning an outdoor ceremony make sure to check that your venue is willing to make last-minute changes due to weather. Clarify that they have indoor space or an area that is protected from the weather that is available in case of inclement weather.
Will you be the only wedding/ party that day? or will you have to share the space with other events?
1. Some wedding venues will host multiple weddings within the same day or host your reception downstairs and have a restaurant open to the public just above you. Double-check with your venue to see what their protocol is and make sure you are ok with how they run their business.
Does your venue have nice locations for your portraits?
1. A lot of couples focus on their venues ballroom and food, but don't forget to walk around and find a location that will be good to take your photos!
2. If your venue doesn't have much outdoor space for portraits I highly suggest looking around at local parks that we can drive to!
3. If it rains on your wedding day does your venue have multiple indoor locations to take photos? You probably don't want your portraits, family formals, and bridal party photos all shot in the same location. Check to see if there are multiple indoor settings for your photos!
Check social media!
1. Before you pick a venue scroll through Instagram or Facebook. Check their tagged photos and see how other wedding photos came out when shot here. Do you like what you see? Is there anything you don't like about the photos?

How to Pick a Wedding Venue

Will it accommodate the number of people you plan on hosting?

Does it fit into your budget?

Is it available on your wedding day?

Does it fit the theme you envisioned?

Did you schedule a walk-through?

Pay attention to lighting!

If your venue does not offer a Bridal Suite, you can look into a hotel or Airbnb that is nearby.

Make sure to go over the same steps when looking for a location for Groom prep!

Will guests be able to get from point A to point B?

If your venue does not accommodate people overnight make sure it is easy for your guests to get from their hotel to your wedding venue and back.​

If you're planning an outdoor wedding do they have a backup plan if it rains?​

Will you be the only wedding/ party that day? or will you have to share the space with other events?

Some wedding venues will host multiple weddings within the same day or host your reception downstairs and have a restaurant open to the public just above you. Double-check with your venue to see what their protocol is and make sure you are ok with how they run their business. ​

Does your venue have nice locations for your portraits?

A lot of couples focus on their venues ballroom and food, but don't forget to walk around and find a location that will be good to take your photos!​

If your venue doesn't have much outdoor space for portraits I highly suggest looking around at local parks that we can drive to!

If it rains on your wedding day does your venue have multiple indoor locations to take photos? You probably don't want your portraits, family formals, and bridal party photos all shot in the same location. Check to see if there are multiple indoor settings for your photos!

Check social media!

Before you pick a venue scroll through Instagram or Facebook. Check their tagged photos and see how other wedding photos came out when shot here. Do you like what you see? Is there anything you don't like about the photos?​

If your venue does not accommodate people overnight make sure it is easy for your guests to get from their hotel to your wedding venue and back.

If you're planning an outdoor wedding do they have a backup plan if it rains?

Some wedding venues will host multiple weddings within the same day or host your reception downstairs and have a restaurant open to the public just above you. Double-check with your venue to see what their protocol is and make sure you are ok with how they run their business.

A lot of couples focus on their venues ballroom and food, but don't forget to walk around and find a location that will be good to take your photos!

Before you pick a venue scroll through Instagram or Facebook. Check their tagged photos and see how other wedding photos came out when shot here. Do you like what you see? Is there anything you don't like about the photos?