Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most exciting (and overwhelming) parts of planning! There are a lot of factors that go into finding the best place for you and as wedding planners we see this first hand all the time. So we’re sharing some tips on how to find your wedding venue to help alleviate stress and remove any mystery from this process.

Figure out your style

Knowing your style and at least some idea of design for the day is a great place to start. Do you want indoors or outdoors? Are you thinking an adventure or something in the city? Answering these big questions will help you narrow down venues to tour. There is no point in going to look at a downtown loft when you’re more of an out in nature couple and want that for your wedding!

Determine your ideal location

Once you’ve figured out your style, determining your ideal location will help narrow down your venue search even more. Think about not only the experience you want, but the guest experience as well. If a venue is farther away, you may want to provide guest transportation or find somewhere that has nearby accommodations. If it’s more of a city vibe, parking could be an issue as well. Ultimately, it’s your day, but considering your guests can help you select the best venue for you.

[Learn More About Planning In Our Course: Design Your Wedding Day]

Understand your budget

It can be a stressful topic, but understanding your budget to know what you can afford with your venue (and other vendors) is so important. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue and already be dreaming of your wedding day there if it’s out of budget. Be sure to understand what’s included with the venue price as well because it can vary a lot! Does it include catering, the bar, or staffing? What about rentals like tables, chairs, and linens? All venues are different, so knowing what all is included at what price will help you make the right choice for you.

Keep your guest count top of mind

Guest count is one of the easiest places to start with your venue. If you have 250 guests, a venue that only allows 150 guests just won’t work. You want people to be able to move around comfortably and not be packed into a space. Venues often advertise their capacity with seating 10 guests at a 60-inch round table which can be a bit cramped! Knowing how many guests you intend to have and how many can comfortably fit will help you choose your venue.

After reading how to find your wedding venue, do you still need some support with wedding planning? This timeline worksheet is a huge help! It is a comprehensive guide to building the perfect wedding day timeline. It walks you through each component of the day from start to finish, and includes two sample timelines for a First Look or No First Look. This will make creating your timeline simple and stress free!

Erica + Nick’s Wedding Vendors

Planning: Ponderosa Planning
Photographer: MT Photography
Venue: Five Pine Lodge
Florist: Posie Shoppe
Hair and Makeup: Classic Beauty by Heather
Rentals: O’Brien Events
DJ: Bend Event Sound
Cake: Dreamin’ Desserts