What to consider before choosing your venue
Long before I met Michael (my hubs), I thought myself to be a very simple gal. I thought, "I'll have a simple back yard wedding with my closest friends and family." Then when we got engaged this idea evolved to, okay, not our backyard, we can use someone's land and just rent some chairs...both of these ideas I had were SERIOUSLY under estimating everything necessary for a wedding.
When the time actually came, I had a wedding totally opposite of what I said. We got married at a gorgeous venue in Blue Ridge, VA (Diamond V Farm), that basically provided everything I could possibly need and I wouldn't change a thing.
Most of the time, by the time couples book a coordinator, they already either have their venue booked or have their heart set on a specific venue. There are a lot of factors many couples do not consider until it is too late regarding their venue.
Rentals
SO you found a venue that is GORGEOUS and well below the budget you set for your venue- YAY! But- not so fast. Many "cheaper" venues are more like blank slates. This means they don't include many of the things you NEED to have a wedding OR they have it available at an extra cost. For the ceremony you will need chairs, or hay bales, or blankets. Alternative seating (like blankets) is becoming increasingly popular but make sure to consider your guests mobility when considering this route. Chairs run anywhere from $1+ per chair. Aside from chairs, you may need an arch (not exactly a need but can make for great photos!), aisle decor, altar decor. All the extras add up quickly when not included with the venue price. For the reception you'll need tables, chairs and linens. Its common for linens to not be included with the venue but tables and chairs can often be included with the use of a venue, if your venue does not include tables and chairs for the reception, be sure to look into the cost of renting those before booking.
Access
This is probably as important if not more important than what is included. I suggest to couples that they should find a venue that allows access at least part of the day before and all day the day of. This is so you can set up! Even if you hire people to set up, they will need time but especially if you're doing any DIY, you will abolutely need time available at your venue prior to ceremony time. You also need space for getting ready. Getting ready photos are some of my favorite! Some venues only allow a couple hours for use of a bridal/groom suite for getting ready photos which is NOT enough time for even the bride to get ready if you're doing hair and makeup. Make sure to ask your venue what your getting ready options are and what past brides have done. Some brides rent a hotel room or an Airbnb. Make sure to plan where you want to get ready well in advance if there are no options at your venue available.
Transportation
Another often overlooked aspect is transportation not only for guests but for YOU. If you are providing a shuttle, can it access your venue? Some barn venues have narrow driveways that can't fit a bus. If you are getting ready somewhere other than your venue, you will need to arrange transportation for yourself and your wedding party. If you are providing a bar, it is ideal to have some sort of transportation available, even if it's just Uber. If your wedding is at a venue far from civilization, Uber/Lyft may not be easily accessible. Often, couples forget to consider their transportation needs until they have already booked their venue and then end up paying extra fees for shuttles that could have been avoided if they had inquired at the beginning. On top of transportation, it is important to look into parking. Is parking limited? Can guests leave their car overnight? This info is really good information to have available on your wedding website or detail cards.
A really good tool for avoiding frustration with a venue or any other vendor is to have a wedding coordinator from the start. We think of all the things you may not even consider. If you're interested in learning how a coordinator can help you, head over to our contact page or email me at tatiana@simplycharmedevents.com