How to choose a wedding venue

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the biggest and most likely, the most expensive decisions you'll make during the planning process. For some couples, this part comes pretty easily. They know what they want in a venue — and what they don't want.

So start creating a list of what you both want in your ideal wedding venue. What kind of event do you want to host? Will your wedding have a theme? Something rustic and natural, elegant and sophisticated, a garden wedding, or something out of the ordinary? 

For example, if you are thinking of doing a travel theme because you are pilots or like to travel, an airplane hangar might be an interesting venue. If you are science geeks, a museum might be an interesting choice. Think about who you are. Do any of your hobbies guide you into a theme?

There are a lot of not-so-typical event venues that can make your wedding unique and memorable. Unconventional venues often have more availability and flexibility when it comes to scheduling. Many also have unique settings for photos. Most importantly, you can save thousands of dollars by renting a non-wedding location. 

Are you ready to get creative and think a little outside of the box?! Here are some ideas of the places that could be amazing and unique:

• airplane hangars

• airplane museums

• alpaca farm

• antique stores

• aquatic center

• artist's lofts

• campgrounds

• circus tent

• community theatre

• fire stations

• flower fields

• gorgeous private properties like those found on Airbnb

• in the middle of a street of a busy intersection (wait for a red light)

• motorcycle dealerships

• mountain tops

• national parks

• old factory buildings

• on a boat

• racetracks

• ruins of buildings

• small baseball stadiums

• train stations

• treehouses

• under bridges

• underneath a waterfall

• underwater

We hope this helps to inspire you!

Next on the list, draft a guest list to determine how big of a venue you'll need. Making sure that your wedding guests have enough room to mingle, dine, and dance during your reception is a top priority.

Establish non-negotiables, as well as location details or amenities that are less important to you. During this conversation, create a budget for how much you are willing to spend on a wedding venue. 

Do you want to do it all yourself, tackle a few projects, but leave the rest to the experts, or step back and let someone else manage every detail?

Keep in mind that some venues include in-house catering and equipment rentals (chairs, tables, linens, etc.) in their package pricing, while others do not. This will, of course, affect the overall dollar amount of what you could spend on a venue. And some venues will charge a lot of money for these additional rentals.

Now that you've thoughtfully determined what kind of wedding you'd like, which season and/or dates you have in mind, and how large a venue you'll need, it's time to put all of that good research to work. Contact your top venue choices and schedule a time to visit and receive a tour.

Some of the questions you might want to keep in mind:

• What are the venue's vendor restrictions? Do they allow the caterers you want? Can you bring the photographers and florists of your choice?
• How long will my vendors and I have access to the venue before and after the wedding for setting up and break down? Some venues have multiple weddings on the same day. This usually restricts couples on the design and setup choices for their big day. Often, there even might be rehearsals by other couples going on during the early part of your big day.
• Are there any additional rules I should know about, such as noise policies or rules against certain types of décor? 
• Does the venue allow the style of the exit you want? Not every venue is okay with a sparkler exit or guests that want to through flower petals or confetti.
• Is there a guest minimum? It's not all about paring down. Some venues have a minimum number of guests they require. The venue you are dreaming about may not accept the contract without a certain number of guests — unless you pay that minimum. 
• What are the accommodations for disabled guests?
• What are the restrooms like?
• How will the wedding happen if there is bad weather on your date?
• Is there climate control in all the areas?
• Do they have a special place for each of you to have some prep or private time?

Plan to book your wedding venue for at least nine to twelve months in advance. You may find the most popular locations and dates are booked up even earlier. Plan so you're not feeling rushed into a decision. Allow for two months of research, tours, and soul-searching, so you don't sign a contract in haste.