Choosing the Perfect Venue

 By: Shenette Prevo

Teacup Planning & Events | Houston Wedding Planner

I love touring venues. Before I became a Wedding Planner I would get so excited to receive open house invitations. I use to tour them for the fun of it and loved to see the aesthetics and the amenities. As a Wedding Planner, I still love to tour but I look at venues with different lenses now. I need to ensure it not only checks the visual boxes but will also accommodate all the needs of the event. If you are preparing for your wedding and looking for a wedding venue I know it can be a daunting task.

Not sure what you want in a venue? Start a guest list. The most important information you need to start looking for the perfect venue is a clear idea of how many people you plan to host. Once you've got that squared away, start thinking about your style and visualizing what you want your wedding day to look and feel like. I've listed a few tips below that can get you going in the right direction.

I just need a space that can hold everyone, right?

Finding a space is the goal BUT it’s important to choose a venue that has existing charm and beautiful interiors and exteriors.

These features will provide a strong wedding aesthetic foundation and save money in your decoration budget.

How big does my venue need to be?

As a rule of thumb, allow for 25 to 30 square feet per guest.

That may seem like a lot, but it's really not if you count the space you'll need for the tables, bustling waiters, the band or other entertainment and a dance floor.

I think I want separate locations for the ceremony and reception.

Dreamy! Keep these things in mind when picking your venues:

• The distance between the two locations; 30 minutes or less is ideal.

• Will venue #2 be available immediately following your ceremony? Try to keep the gap no more than 60-90 mins.

• Ease of finding the locations; Will your guests get lost (and frustrated)? Don't kill the vibe! You want your guests to still have all the feels when they arrive at venue # 2.

Keep set-up and breakdown time in mind.

Your wedding time may be from sunset to midnight but your wedding pros need time before and after to create the magical day you have in mind. Wedding pros are typically onsite 10 - 12+ hours on the day of the wedding. Be sure the price includes ample time for setup and breakdown.

Ask the venue:

• Is the venue available the entire event date?

• What time can people come in to start setting up?

• Can setup start the day before and be taken down the day after (especially for late events)?

• Can equipment rentals be delivered/picked up a day or two before AND after the event date?

Looking for a wedding venue can be a daunting task but it doesn't have to be. Identify how many people you plan to host, then visualize how you want your day to look and feel before you start to tour and interview venues. Keep location, size, aesthetics, and availability in mind and you'll be headed in the right direction in no time.

If you would like to explore professional expertise, I'd love to grab some tea and setup a chat with you.

Please check in next week for more planning tips.

‘Til Next Tea Time!

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