Keep reading for some tips on booking your wedding venue with ease.
Your wedding venue will be the backdrop for your big day, and it will influence the number of guests on your guest list, the vendors you may hire, and even your wedding date.
When you start looking for a venue, you may be overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. While some couples opt for a wedding planner to handle the organization and reservations, it’s perfectly simple to do it yourself once you know where to begin. Once your venue is booked, the rest lines up with ease. Keep reading for some tips on booking your wedding venue with ease.
Determine the Date and Location of Your Wedding
First, you will want to consider the location of your wedding and the season or date you are aiming for. Consider outdoor or indoors, mountains or beach, formal hall or something casual, etc. Solidify details like state, city, and neighborhood.
Factor in your preferred season and how the weather may influence your experience. Some wedding venues may only be open seasonally, so you don’t want to tour a venue that doesn’t operate during your preferred time of year — this is especially critical for outdoor winter weddings, so know before you go on any tours.
Estimate the Number of Guests
You won’t have the final numbers of your guests until you send out invites and request RSVPs. However, you need to know what size wedding you are aiming for when booking a wedding venue.
Estimate roughly the number of family, friends, and coworkers you may want to invite. Round your estimated guest count to a small, medium, or large wedding. Are you closer to 150 guests or 300? Anticipate everyone on your guest list RSVPing yes so you don’t accidentally book a wedding venue that is too small.
Have a Budget
The venue will take the largest portion of your wedding budget. Your budget will primarily encompass the venue, drinks, and food. You should set aside roughly 50% of your budget to cover these items.
Depending on how casual or extravagant your wedding will be and how many guests are invited, you may be able to adjust your wedding venue budget. Your guest count may end up being the biggest influencer in the venue price factor, so consider your guest list and budget carefully to see where you can find the balance. Knowing the budget is one of the most crucial elements to help you book a wedding venue stress-free.
Make a List of Venues
You can search for wedding venues after determining when and where you want to be married. You can do this online via Google or wedding websites or by asking friends and family for recommendations.
Check each venue’s website to see guest capacity, accessibility, location, seasonal operations, and any other limitations. Prices are not listed in most situations, as they depend on rentals and guest count.
Set Up Tours as Early as Possible
Once you have your list of possible venues, contact them immediately for wedding tours. Three is a good number to tour based on budget, guest count, theme, vendor options, and more.
There is no magic number or limit to touring wedding venues, however. If you find the right location on your first visit, it’s okay to trust your gut if you’ve done the research.
HISTORIC OAKLAND MANOR: THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE
Nestled in a peaceful wooded area in the heart of downtown Columbia, Historic Oakland Manor stands proudly in natural splendor. Elegant Oakland is the perfect setting for ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal showers, holiday parties, family celebrations, business meetings, or retreats. Schedule a tour today with our expert venue coordinators! Please call (410-730-4801), email ([email protected]), or visit our chat on our homepage to book a tour appointment.
