Choosing your Wedding Venue

Things to Consider When Choosing your Wedding Venue

Choosing your wedding venue takes a lot of time and research. Most couples feel it’s the hardest part of planning a wedding. You need to make sure that your venue ticks all the right boxes before you make a final decision.

Your venue will not only influence your budget, the atmosphere too. Below we have five tips to consider before signing on the dotted line. (Check out Preferred Vendors too)

Venue size

First- look at how many people you’re planning to invite to your wedding. Then compare that to the number of people cater for. A crowded reception can be quite uncomfortable. And if a venue is too large, it can affect the atmosphere and the look and feel. One suggestion is to put an initial guest list together before you start venue shopping. This way you can make a better decision. Pictured Below is LakeFalls Lodge in Stoddard NH. (You can View Sarah and Matt’s Wedding at Lake Falls Lodge HERE)
Choosing your Wedding Venue- Lake Falls Lodge Stoddard NH

What about the drinks?

Alcohol and drinks may be a big part of your wedding. So, it’s important to find out whether you can bring your own alcohol, or if the venue supplies the beverages. What the costs are if the venue will supply the drinks. Additionally, you will also need a licensed bartender to serve alcohol. Find out whether the venue can assist with this. Make sure that you can factor those costs into your final budget. Venue Pictured Below is The Charles Orvis Inn at Equinox in Manchester VT. (You can view Liz and Brian’s held at The Equinox: HERE)

manchester vt equinox wedding- Choosing your venue

Preferred vendors.

You’re going to be working with several different vendors in the time leading up to and on your wedding day. Some venues insist you use their vendors. If this is the case- to find out before you make a booking. If they insist you use their “preferred vendors’, be sure that you feel confident in their quality.

Sometimes preferred vendors pay to be a”preferred vendor”. Other times, there’s a kickback involved. Which means, if you hire one of the preferred vendors, the venue receives a commission of some sorts. Be sure to ask questions about preferred vendors before your obligated to use them.

Pictured Below is Omni Mount Washington Resort (You can view Colin and Kelly’s Winter Wedding at Mount Washington HERE)

Mount Washington Resort wedding photographer- Choosing your venue

Clean up.

The last thing you want to have to worry about is clean up. Does your venue charge you extra for post-event clean-up? Or are you required to stay late (or come early the next day) for this task? Pictured Below is the gorgeous Venue in Jaffrey NH called

The Grand View Inn (You can view Emily and Jim’s Wedding At The Grand View Inn HERE)

Choosing your venue- Grand view Estates Jaffrey

Inclusions.

Finally- what’s included? Some venue price based on their space only. This means that you will be responsible for renting necessary items. Some of those items may include, tables, chairs, linens and sometimes even catering. Other venues will include everything from the space, catering, beverages etc. There are many different factors to consider when choosing the perfect wedding venue. Make sure that it’s a space that speaks to your personalities and style as a couple.

Pictured below is the interior of The Ballroom at the Oaks. You can view Megan and Mike’s wedding at The Oaks in Somersworth NH HERE)

New Hampshire wedding photographer- Choosing your venue, The oaks