You’re engaged! Congratulations! You’ve picked a date. Phew! Now….where are you going to host your wedding?

Don’t panic! This is all part of the fun. Here’s a few things to consider when searching for that perfect venue.

Items to consider

1. Have a ball-park number for your guest count so you can get a feel of what size venue you are looking for. This will help narrow down your options. 50 people or 200?
2.  Would you like to host your ceremony and reception at the same place? Many venues are designed with this in mind, offering a one stop shop for you.
3. Do you want an all-inclusive venue or would you like to have a hand in sourcing out your own vendors? There is a huge difference between having your wedding at a hotel or at a community hall.

There will be pro’s and con’s to each venue you look at so when you start your search, try considering some of the following. A deal-breaker to you could be a bonus to someone else.

Photo credit: Wonderlust Photography

Location Location Location

If you have chosen two different venues for your ceremony and reception, consider the travel for your guests. Are they crossing a field to get to cocktail hour? Will they struggle to find parking near the venue? Are they driving an hour from ceremony to reception? Try considering how you can make this all go smoothly.

The “Easy, Outdoor Wedding” Myth 

Often times we think an easy wedding in the backyard or a field will be cheaper and less stressful. However, in the long run, there are additional costs and stresses that often times aren’t considered.

Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE the idea of eating dinner under the stars. It’s romantic and a great way to enjoy the West Coast scenery but it does require additional work.

You typically need to bring in/rent/borrow the following items:

• Heaters
• Washrooms
• Lighting
• Power
• Catering
• A catering station to set up
• Beverages
• Bar set up
• All your furniture such as tables and chairs 
• All your rentals such as plates, cutlery and glassware
• Any decor
• Any sound (DJ, speakers, etc)

You are basically setting up your own private restaurant from scratch in a forest or backyard. A brick and mortar building will offer a lot of the above-noted services, including things like elevators for guests with disabilities (Grandma may not be down with hiking into a forest for dinner).

Photo credit: Aiota Photography

Rules are NOT meant to be broken 

Some all-inclusive venues have pretty strict rules. Most do not allow tapered candles as they are a fire hazard and can ruin the linens. Some venues only allow their hand-picked vendors on site. The reason venues do this is that it is best to stick with vendors that know the space (and the rules). Some venues have strict policies around noise. Sometimes in Vancouver for example, a venue will be in a residential neighbourhood and you will be required to not play music past 10:30 p.m.

How do you choose? 

Sometimes we fall in love with two venues. One is beautiful but a bit pricey. The other is cheap as chips but it will require a lot of work to make it feel like a wedding. What is more important to you? If you decide to go with the cost-cutting venue, make sure that you’ve included the cost of things like ceiling work, draping, table linens, major centrepieces, etc. It may price out to be more than the pricier all-inclusive venue like a restaurant, hotel, or golf course.

Consider the Fine Print of your Venue 

Read your contract. Read that again. Read your contract! For example, if your Aunt would like to gift you with the wedding cake, have you made sure that your venue allows outside food? This will all be laid out in the contract with your venue. Look for additional costs you may not think of such as a cake cutting fee of $3 per person or a corkage fee. There is nothing worse than being surprised afterwards by these fees

Photo credit: Elyse Anna Photography

Struggling? Hire us or a planner right away

If you are struggling to pick a venue, hire a planner. We have worked at many venues and planned weddings at private homes. We have a catering background, so if you really want to make your own restaurant in the middle of the forest, we have expertise in that! We can deliver your dream. If addition, we can suggest the best vendors to suit your needs. For example, we can suggest a great DJ that can also provide tenting, tables and chairs.

No matter what you decide, just remember that your guests are excited to be celebrating your special day with you. Tent or building, destination or in town, extravagant or picnic tables, they just want to have fun!

Love T&K