Choosing a Wedding Venue
No easy task- there’s a lot to choose from. How do you narrow it down?
The first cab off the rank when you’re booking things for your wedding is usually the venue. It’s no easy task- there’s a lot to choose from. How do you narrow it down?
There’s plenty of info online via various wedding publications showcasing their favourite places. Ergo, their favourites because the venue pays a fee to list with them.
My personal fave Vic wedding venues is a whole other post but I wanna introduce some other considerations, which may outweigh the importance of the place looking pretty in photos.
EVENT MANAGEMENT
1. Is there a dedicated Events Manager and do they seem like they’re onto it? A well run venue with a consistent EM who is a good communicator immediately means less wedstress for you.
PLAN B
2. If it’s an outdoor venue, are you happy with their Plan B? It’s all well and good viewing a beautiful outdoor venue on a sunny day but what if it rains? Make sure the Plan B option is somewhere you’d be happy because #victoria.
ACCOMODATION/ TRANSPORT
3. What are the accomodation options nearby? This is a no brainer really. If there’s no accom or PT nearby, you’re going to have to consider a bus. Some towns have limited a cab service and no Uber so this is a major consideration when you’re planning. You want people to come to your wedding and give it some, really let their hair down- not go half arsed because they have to drive back to Melbourne or to their accomodation miles away.
WORD ON THE STREET
4. What do wedding vendors or other couples who’ve been married here say about their experiences? Are they good people who run it? Invested, not just in the dollar bucks , but have a people focus also?
IT’S TIME TO GO.. ALL OF YOU
5. What time is wind up? I’ve had a lot of couples who’ve somehow overlooked the venue finish time in the contract and been bitterly disappointed that there’s no capacity to finish their party later.
WELCOME DRINKS
6. Do they allow pre drinks? You know where I stand on this. It’s non negotiable in my opinion. More on that here but a lot of venues are a hard no on offering your guests a welcome beverage so be sure you’re aware of their policy before you sign anything.
SOUNDBITES
7. While we’re on it- what’s their policy on music? Can you bring a DJ or musos? Have they got reasonable sound restrictions in place? I have definitely been at venues before where the permitted sound level is stupidly low (and aggressively communicated). NUPPPPP.
TOSSERS
8. Can you have confetti or flower petals for your exit? If this is a big deal for you, you’ll be surprised to know that many venues do not allow petals/ bio confetti/ leaf confetti/ bubbles/ sparklers at all. On this- please never use foil or non biodegradable confetti anywhere, ever.
VIBE
9. How does it feel? You have to go and see it and walk around. Have a meal there if you can and suss out the vibe of the place. Is it clean and well maintained? What’s the lighting like? (make or break for ambience!) Does it feel like you? What are the staff like? Does it seem like they’re happy? Happy staff who enjoy their work will enhance your your wedding experience.
There you go. You’re on your way now. Choose an area you like- coast/ wine region/ city and then start making a short list to tick these points off against. You’ve got this. Go get em tigers.