1. Decide on a Preliminary Guest List
I've seen first hand where a bride falls in love with a small venue, but her parents guest list size made the location absolutely impossible. I've seen a bride select and book a ceremony location with 15 parking spaces, and our job was to figure out where her 90 guests could park and how to shuttle them there. It's really best to have a good idea of your guest list number before you begin your search for a venue. Not all venues can accommodate larger sized events.
2. Decide on a Preliminary Budget
Again, I've seen a bride fall in love with photos of a certain location but when calling about the cost is was unattainable and a complete let down. Make sure you have a budget established before you begin ANY of your wedding plans, including your venue search.
3. Decide on your Style
This is something most know first before anything else - - what they want their wedding to look like! Outdoor or indoor ceremony? Indoor or tented reception? Formal or Semi-Formal? Rustic, Vintage, Country, Modern? Decide the style and theme you want your wedding to have before you begin your search. This will make it easier to immediately cross many locations off the list.
4. What Services Are Offered?
Different venues offer different services. Some provide everything from catering to bar service to clean up service and wait staff. Some venues you have to provide some or all of these details on your own (or bring in outside vendors to handle these details). Catering, Buffet or Plated? Bar Service? Linens, Chairs, Tables? Flatware, China? Onsite coordinator? Make sure to find out what is offered in your package when booking the venue. You may have added expenses that you also need to take into consideration.
5. Based on #1-#4, consider venues that will accommodate these points
Taking your preliminary plans into consideration, begin looking for a venue that fits your guest list size, budget and style. If it doesn't fit into exactly what you want, don't visit it right away. There are so many wedding venues available these days that you're surely to find exactly what you want if you do enough searching and eliminating the not-quite-right's.
6. Prepare a List of Questions to Ask
Think about the details that are important to you before hand. Are you concerned with having an area for your bridal party to get ready before the ceremony? Are you concerned with parking or valet, or handicapped access? Do you need special considerations with the catered food? Do they charge a cake cutting fee? Make a list of the questions and points you'd like to bring up before you tour the venue. Once you're there and touring, you'll be on information overload and might not remember all the details you want to find out. Take a list and they'll be happy to go over your questions with you!
7. Schedule Venue Tours
Schedule your tours of your favorite venues during the time of day your event will take place. This way you can see how the venue will actually look during your event. Saturday is the best day to visit if possible, because they'll be preparing for other events and you'll get to see the venue in action and how it looks for an event rather than empty. Be sure to check out all of the options while you're touring - - parking, restrooms, handicapped access, services included, etc....
Some couples find the task of locating, comparing and touring venues to be beyond stressful. To assist with that, Michéll Events offers a Venue Selection and Touring Package. We assist you with establishing preliminary guest list and budget, discuss the style you have in mind, find out what services are offered at suitable venues for you, provide a list of venues that will fit your needs and let you select the ones you'd like to tour, then schedule the tours (and tastings, if they apply). All you have to do is show up and take a look at the beautiful spaces to make a decision. Email us at info@michellevents.com for more information!
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