Booking a wedding venue is probably one the biggest hurdles any engaged couple will face. From finding a space large enough to host your wedding to deciding on one that fits your budget and style, couples are often left wondering what is the best option. Since creating the website, Rustic Wedding Guide, a hand selected group of the best rustic wedding venues and vendors, I know first hand some of the best things to consider before booking your venue.
1. Take some time to really think about if it accommodates all your wedding needs.
Sure you need to find a venue that will be able to host the size wedding you are going to have but you also need to think about a few other accommodations. Does the venue have proper handicap access for your guests you might require it. Does the venue offer the space for weddings at the time of day you would like your event to be? Don't forget to ask home many weddings will there be on one day – sometimes you forget that other weddings or parties may be going which means your celebration might not be getting the undivided attention. Always ask about parking since sometimes a venue cant offer enough space and therefore they might need to suggest off site parking options. Simply by asking these questions when you visit a venue you will be giving yourself a good chance at having your day run smoothly.
2. Decide on if you want a full service venue of not.
A full service venue is one that will be available for all of the services that go along with a wedding. From catering to the liquor license to even having an event planner on site while some venues don't offer these services at all. If you prefer to rent a venue where all you get is the space and you need to provide the rest then make sure you know what that entails before biting off more than you can chew.
3. Do some fact checking.
It is always good to do a little fact checking to make sure a venue is going to come through on what they say they will. Most of the time a simple Google search will allow you to find information that might help you make your decision. You can always ask for a previous bride's contact info. Any good venue will have a list of brides who you can contact to get a reference on the venue.
4. Always get things in writing.
Thinking of leaving a deposit on a venue? Make sure that the venue will give you a receipt and offer you a full contract when you want to book the space. Some venues are much more casual than others and once you leave a deposit you assume all is good. Make sure that the venue has a booking system and that your wedding is in fact booked for the day you requested, the deposit has been registered and that everything you discussed is in the contact. If there are any changes or promises that the venue is making make sure to get those in writing as well.
5. Don't book it the day you see it.
I know it is tempting to book a venue the minute you see it and like it but just like buying a car, it is often better to go home, think about it and then go back. It is easy to get swept up in the moment and forget that you actually don't want an outside tent to be the only option for the day or that you really need a venue that is going to fit 200 people and not 130. Many times the venue will tell you that they need you to book it immediately to save the date but I suggests waiting a day or two will give you some time to think about it.
Maggie Lord is the founder and editor of the popular wedding blog Rustic Wedding Chic and the online wedding resource guide, Rustic Wedding Guide. Maggie is also the author of Rustic Wedding Chic the book, currently in stores and Barn Weddings coming in August 2013. Maggie lives in Fairfield with her husband and young son.
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photograph: Afterglow Photos