Getting married is one of the most memorable and happy events in our lives. However, the ceremony requires a lot of planning and other tedious details. One of such tasks is choosing a venue for a perfect wedding ceremony. This article provides a few useful tips and ideas for readers who seek a wedding venue but don’t know where to begin their search and what things to consider.
Factors To Consider
It’s easier to begin the search when you’ve ruled out a few important factors. This approach helps to choose a wedding venue in Hudson Valley or in any other location. So, let’s explore all the factors you must consider before beginning your search.
Wedding Style
The wedding ceremony style influences your decision because you can’t celebrate a big wedding at a smaller location, and vice versa. Thus, you must figure it out beforehand. Are you leaning towards a small, cozy celebration or a big party with the whole family? Are you considering a traditional venue or something unique like an art museum or warehouse? Are you considering having the ceremony and reception at different locations?
Consider jotting down your expectations or creating a mood board to merge your ideas into a cohesive theme. Remember to also consider your partner’s wishes. Set priorities — maybe you prioritize a spacious dance floor or a beautiful garden? Having a clear vision can lead you to the perfect venue.
Date
Many venues prioritize specific seasons; for instance, some locations have beautiful blooming flowers that influence the atmosphere of the wedding. You may also not prioritize a certain season to keep your options more open.
Think about the dates you have in mind or your preferred season before you start looking for a venue. This can help eliminate venues that are not available on your desired date or decide on the venue before finalizing the date. Additionally, if you find a venue you adore, you can work out a suitable date with them.
In the Hudson Valley, venues are often open from May to October, with July being particularly hot. On the other hand, September and October are popular months for weddings in these regions because of the pleasant weather. Late October is a great time for weddings as you can enjoy the stunning peak fall foliage.
Budget
Many couples overspend at weddings due to underestimating the expenses involved. As the planning progresses, couples’ growing desires lead to unexpected costs. This is why having a wedding budget is crucial. A budget helps control reckless spending.
Discuss figures with your partner and other contributors involved in the wedding planning. Decide on the maximum cost of the venue when planning your budget that you won’t exceed under any circumstances. Allocate around half of your budget for venue and catering (round up the amount because it mostly gets higher in the end). Having a set budget amount keeps you grounded, especially when you’re very excited and fail to calculate expenses properly.
Guest List
Organize your guest list before you start looking for a venue. It’s an important step to prevent problems like not having enough space, or spending too much money on a bigger location when you don’t have enough people. You can easily estimate if the chosen list of venues will comfortably fit your guests and a wedding style with a guest count in mind.
For example, if you’re expecting 180 guests, choose a venue with a capacity exceeding 180. Sufficient space is important for mingling and dancing. Avoid going to the extreme – a venue meant for 200 guests is too large for a party of 80.
Browse Wedding Locations: Tips And Ideas
Now that you know what to consider in your search for a perfect location, here are a few valuable tips to start looking:
- Begin your search online to explore a variety of venues. Check out their websites and social media pages for photos and reviews.
- Once you have a list of potential venues, narrow it down based on your budget, guest count, and desired style.
- Contact the venues to schedule in-person visits. This will give you a better sense of the space and ambiance.
- During your visits, don’t hesitate to ask questions about pricing, availability, and any restrictions they may have.
- Think about the location of the venue in relation to your ceremony site, accommodations for guests, and any special requirements you may have.
- Pay attention to how you feel when visiting each venue. It’s always different when visiting the actual location than watching videos or photos.
Overall, it’s pretty obvious that you should choose a location that you like. However, all the factors that we’ve highlighted work as filters. You can immediately check the capacity, available dates, price, and other factors to determine if the location meets your requirements. Then, you can narrow down the list to a few options, schedule appointments, and choose one venue.
