Choosing Your Wedding Venue!

It’s wedding planning season! So, if it is time for you to get started on planning your wedding, we are here to help!

Your wedding should always reflect who you and your partner are as a couple. That is why most of your wedding day details can be completely customizable. Such as choosing between the type of flowers for your wedding or deciding to completely forego any floral arrangements at you wedding. The choice is yours and it will look amazing whichever route you decide to go! 

However, there is one necessity for any wedding and that is your venue. The venue is the place where all your love ones to gather and watch you begin this new chapter in your life. This is why we are going to give you a few tips to make sure you find that perfect venue. 
1. The Vision

You should consider where you see yourself say ‘I Do’. A few questions to ask yourself when contemplating this is … Do you envision any part of your wedding outdoors? Would you prefer a venue that is a ‘blank slate’ so that you can dress the place yourself from floor to ceiling? Would you prefer more natural lighting or maybe something a little dark to create a romantic ambiance? The options are endless, but we promise the right venue is out there for you!
2. The Research

Now a days, there are so many resources to help prepare you for all of the planning, including where to start finding the wedding venue of your dreams. Besides using our blog as an exceptional resource, other great places to begin are sites such as The Knot, Wedding Wire, and if you are looking in the Chicagoland area, Chi Thee Wed. 

3. The Budget

It is no secret, weddings cost money. That is why it is important to create a budget for yourself. This will help alleviate stress during the entire planning process. This will also help you narrow down your options for venues.
4. The Guest List

It will be helpful to have an idea of not only the number of guests, but you will also want to have an idea of who is on the guest list. Having an estimated guest count is helpful because there are venues that can hold a larger guest count, but if your guest count is on the smaller side, the venue can look bare or oversized. It also can be problematic if you don’t have enough room to fit all your guests of course!
5. The Vision

Now for the fun part! You should consider where you see yourself say ‘I Do’. A few questions to ask yourself when contemplating this is … Do you envision any part of your wedding outdoors? Would you prefer a venue that is a ‘blank slate’ so that you can dress the place yourself from floor to ceiling? Would you prefer more natural lighting or maybe something a little dark to create a romantic ambiance? The options are endless, but we promise the right venue is out there for you
6. The Priorities

Now that you have an idea of the type of venue you desire, you will probably need to narrow down the options. That is why you should consider what type of amenities are important to you and will help make your wedding day as special as it should be! If food is a priority, consider a venue that has full kitchen utility for your caterer to use. If making sure there is enough space available for the band you want to hire and the dance floor is big enough, ask the venue’s about set-up options. If having limitless creativity for your décor and vision is important, make sure to ask if there are any regulations for décor options. 
Venue: The Haight
Okay, now your research is done and it’s time to set-up the site visits! We recommend at least viewing 3 to 4 venues to be able to really compare your options.  

If you also want to start your journey with someone you trust and are looking to plan your wedding in the Chicagoland area, make sure to check our Venue Page! 

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