Finding a Wedding Venue
There are an estimated 413,597 wedding venues in the United States. From elegant historical mansions and quaint gardens to industrial spaces, museums, and modern hotels, the wedding venue ocean runs deep. Whether you're looking to have an intimate gathering for 50 or a large party of 400, we are here to help you navigate the wedding venue waters!
There are so many venues to choose from! Where do you start?
I highly recommend hiring a planner. Not only because I am one myself, but because your planner should have experience with producing events of all shapes and sizes. Hiring a knowledgeable planner can help eliminate the stressful research that comes with finding out which venues suit your guest count, investment level, and aesthetic.
GUEST COUNT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH FINDING A VENUE —
All Saints Chapel in Sewanee, Tennessee; photographed by Erin Fox Photo.
Your guest count is the 2nd most important aspect to your venue search - after aesthetic. You may think you want an intimate event with 50 of your closest friends but your partner may have 100 guests on their own personal list. Most weddings average 150 guests but many of my clients are opting for smaller, more intimate guest counts. There are great options for venues if your guest count is under 150. If you find your guest count to be over 250 guests, your options become limited. There are countless wonderful, unique venues but it is necessary to find out their max capacity (with and without a dance floor) before you fall in love with one. And, never rule out a fully customizable tented event at a private estate or sprawling ranch.
HOW MANY VENUES OR LOCATIONS DO I NEED?
Libby and Ben at their ceremony site: Wightman Chapel at Scarritt Bennett Center; photographed by Abigail Lewis.
There are positives and negatives to booking more than one venue. Booking one venue is the easiest for your guests and vendors, as long as the space suits a ceremony, cocktail hour and reception comfortably. With everyone in one place, my creative partners can communicate with me, your planner, easily and efficiently. It’s also a great experience for your guests who get to just show up and take it all in without worrying about traversing from one place to another on a shuttle. It’s important to note that sometimes booking one space requires a “flip” – literally flipping the space from ceremony to reception. Depending on the venue, this flip can put your guests out in the elements (rain, heat, humidity, etc.) or in a cramped hallway for cocktail hour. I’m planning to flip the gorgeous space at Hotel Peter & Paul this fall while guests enjoy cocktail hour in their beautiful veranda. Fingers crossed for pleasant weather!
Libby at her Reception Venue; photographed by Abigail Lewis.
With two venues, you get more space to move around in, which keeps your guests engaged and offers more space to decorate and utilize. Sometimes my clients want to get married in a religious space, synagogue, church or parish. There are numerous gorgeous ceremony spaces that I never deter my clients away from. There are simply just a few more logistics to consider. The downside to two venues is two venue rental fees. Most venues and churches catering to ceremonies require minimal set-up so the fees are much smaller. You'll also have to consider how you're going to transfer your guests from one venue to the next. We always provide guests with a bus or trolley. If you're a local and most of your guests will be driving themselves, make sure both venues have valet or ample parking. No guest wants to pay a hefty parking fee when attending your event.
HOW MUCH OF YOUR INVESTMENT SHOULD GO INTO YOUR VENUE?
The venue fee, not including food or other services, should be about 10-20% of your overall budget. When booking a venue, find out how much you can bring in of your own. Some venues provide furniture, catering or bar service. Others provide an empty room. Ask your planner or venue representative what is included with the venue and how much the average couple spends on rentals.
AT WHAT POINT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS SHOULD COUPLES CHOOSE THEIR VENUE?
Swan House in Atlanta, Georgia; photographed by Ashlea Snell.
The venue dictates almost every other decision you'll make, so choose your venue early. The style and color scheme of the venue absolutely must drive the design. Personally, I love breaking the rules. I love a modern, edgy vibe in a traditional space. However, the event needs to look intentional. We cannot choose your colors, flowers, dress or literally anything, until you have your location decided on. If it’s a 100-year-old concert hall with a red carpet, you go neutral or you put red in your design.
Size is important and it’s wise to choose a venue that’s slightly too big, rather than “just right” or too small. I worked with a bride who selected a venue that fits 100 comfortably. However, her guest list was growing and, unfortunately, the venue would have been too small, so we continued our search. She ended up booking a large venue at a completely different time of year than originally planned.
HOW FAR OUT FROM YOUR WEDDING DATE SHOULD YOU BOOK A VENUE?
If you are considering getting married on a Saturday during the region’s peak seasons, most venues are booked a full year out. If you're willing to try a Friday, Sunday or off-season wedding, your options open up tremendously and planning to book 6 to 9 months prior would work. If you're planning a winter wedding, you'll have more options as most venues are wide open during January and February. In 2015, I pulled off a February wedding with less than 3 months of planning. So, it can be done!
There are venues everywhere! As always, consider the experience you want your guests to have while making sure the look and feel are all you have wished for.
We’re here to help you make these decisions. Contact us to find out if we can help!
