Tips for Choosing a Wedding Venue
Each and every choice you make regarding your wedding contributes to crafting your perfect day. However, your wedding venue plays a significant part in setting the tone for your event. Your venue is the backdrop for your pictures and the first thing your guests notice upon arrival. Selecting a venue may seem intimidating, but there are plenty of tips and tricks to navigate the process. Here’s what to look for in a wedding venue to ensure you make the most of your special day.
1. Determine Your Date and Flexibility
Choosing a wedding venue begins with knowing when the big day will be. Starting your search as early as possible will give you the best chance at reserving the days and times you want because many wedding venues book over a year in advance. Additionally, while you may have an exact date in mind, it’s important to start your search with an open mind. Rather than hoping for a specific date, consider several weekends within your ideal month or time of the year. This way, you can capture every possible opportunity at all the venues you love.
2. Choose a Relative Location
One of your first considerations for finding a good wedding venue will be location. Do you want a local spot to gather with friends and family, or are you considering a destination wedding? Beyond a general location, you should consider your venue’s accessibility, especially if your guests need to make travel arrangements or find a way to their homes or lodging at the end of the night. Your transition from one point to another should be seamless, reducing stress for you and your guests.
3. Consider the Style You Want
Selecting a venue that suits your vision is another aspect to consider. While every wedding has a unique vision, there are many ways to bring these visions to life in various venues. Many classic weddings occur in venues like hotels, country clubs and ballrooms. These venues are often excellent choices because they offer many opportunities for creating your desired atmosphere. Venues like hotels often have multiple ballrooms and event spaces, empowering you to find the perfect spot and even come up with some backup plans.
4. Evaluate Your Budget
It’s important to stick to a budget as you browse venues. Weddings come with many costs, so knowing what you’re willing to spend on every aspect is crucial. While your budget may sway you away from some venues, you should always discuss pricing with potential venues and determine whether any discounts or promotions are available to make the cost more budget-friendly.
5. Count the Number of Guests
If you’re browsing venues, you likely have an idea of how many people you’re inviting. While you may not have an official headcount, an estimate will be helpful in finding a space to comfortably accommodate all of your guests. Many venues offer various room sizes and configurations, and each can have unique price points. Finding a space size within your budget that meets your guest count needs is crucial.
6. Look for Special Packages or Deals
A great way to save money and add ease to your wedding planning is by choosing a venue that offers promotions, discounts or wedding packages. Packages are an excellent way to cross off multiple items at once and ensure you have everything you need for a successful day. Sometimes, these packages even offer little surprises you might not have considered, like Champagne toasts or a premium hosted bar.
For example, the Hancock Hotel offers several unique packages for weddings. Each package comes with several overarching amenities, including cake-cutting services, private menu tastings, tear-down and setup services, a dance floor and more. The First Comes Love package also includes a four-hour hosted bar, a coffee and ice tea station, and a Champagne toast for the head table, among multiple options for food and drink. The Tying the Knot package includes these same perks with a few additions, such as a Champagne toast for all guests. For a truly delightful experience, you can opt for the Now and Forever package, which includes all of the previous amenities plus some bonuses like a late-night snack and event valet parking.
7. Ask About Curfews and Rules
You’ll want to pick a wedding venue that meets your needs beyond the aesthetics. Many venues will have rules or regulations about what management permits on the property. While some venues may have strict regulations regarding alcohol or guest counts, others may have specific time frames for events. Always ask the venues you’re considering about their hours of operation and anything that could impact your celebration.
8. Browse Menu Options
Some venues require you to find your own caterer, while others offer in-house or on-site dinner options. Choosing a venue with fine dining capabilities is an excellent way to add convenience to the wedding planning process and ensure excellent communication between your planning teams. Browse the menu options available at your venue and ask about options for hors d’oeuvres, accompaniments, spirits, and other food or beverage needs for your big day.
9. Establish Lodging
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a venue like a hotel is being able to celebrate your event however you want while feeling comfortable and confident that you and your guests have somewhere to stay for the night. Whether you want to avoid late-night driving, have a questionable weather forecast or want to extend your celebration to the morning after, a venue that offers lodging can increase convenience. If you choose a venue without lodging, be sure to consider travel time or nearby lodging options to ensure the safety and comfort of each guest.
10. Set up Transportation
A final consideration when choosing your venue is how you and your guests will get from the ceremony to the reception. If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ll need to consider factors like flights or rental cars. However, even if you’re considering a local venue, you should consider elements like parking and lodging. Some venues will offer services like valet, while others will require you to make these accommodations on your own. Consider what will work best for your guests and wedding party, and ask for recommendations from your venue if you need to travel.
Celebrate in Style at the Hancock Hotel
At the Hancock Hotel, we want to bring your vision to life for your magical day. Planning a wedding involves many intricacies, and we want to help make it easier. With various rooms to accommodate small and large groups, special promotions throughout the year and various packages to enhance the magic, we have everything you need to craft an unforgettable day. Submit an inquiry to learn more about booking your wedding with us!
