Tips for finding your perfect Wedding Venue

 If you are newly engaged and starting to plan your wedding, you are probably realizing what a daunting task it can be to choose the right venue for your special day. The great thing is that many choices available to you and if you are like many of my brides, you have no clue where to start.

Here are a few tips to guide you! Set your budget Setting your budget now will save headaches and disappointment down the road. It also allows you to take your entire budget and allocate funds to each vendor you will need to put together your Wedding. i.e. Venue Photographer Videographer Florist Limos Wedding Gown   (visit www.dreamweddingcalcualtor.com for budget estimates)

Choose your venue first! You will have access to information on many venues through Bridal Magazines, the Internet (The Knot, Locations, and NJ Bride etc) as well as Bridal Shows. Even with all this information swirling around you, you will find yourself drawn to the venues that have been referred to you or perhaps a venue you have already experienced yourself. Never under estimate the power of the referral! With all this information surrounding you, you may feel it a bit overwhelming. No worries take a deep breath and sit down and make a list of what’s important in a venue to you before you even start looking at them. i.e. Location Size Décor Food Quality Ballrooms that overlook water or beautiful gardens Ballroom with high ceilings and ornate chandeliers Outdoor ceremony and cocktail areas Outdoor areas for photos Bridal Suite   Just jotting down these items will allow you to quickly put together a list of venues you’d like to tour.  

Check out Reviews Sites like Wedding Wire and The Knot will give you some thoughts from Brides who are going through the planning stages just as you. Read the reviews but always remember to not judge solely on any one review. Go see for yourself and make up your own mind as sometimes reviews can be “skewed”  

Site Tour Time Ok so you’ve narrowed it down to 4-6 venues you’d like to visit. Go in prepared! Jot down a list of questions before you go that will help keep you organized and helps you not forget anything. i.e Do you host more than one wedding at a time? Maximum Capacity with a dance floor? Outdoor Ceremony/Cocktail area? Do you have a Bridal Suite? Extra charges for valet, linens, ceremonies, room rental etc. What are your deposit and cancellation policies? Is all food prepared on site? Do you offer tastings? When is your next Bridal Show?   Just taking a few minutes to write these questions down will help you be more prepared and help you not to forget anything during your meeting with the venue representative.  

The Meeting Your venue representative should meet with you for 45 minutes to an hour if they are truly interested in earning your business. During the meeting they should give you a complete tour of the facility, go over all menus and packages and answer all your questions.  

The Final Stage Each venue you visit should provide you with enough information both spoken and in the form of collateral materials (menus, vendor referrals) so that you can go home well informed and able to make an educated decision that both fits your budget and personality.  

Happy Planning!