Every decision that you make during your wedding planning plays a part in crafting your wedding day. But there are a few decisions that make a bigger impact than others. One of those is the selection of your wedding venue. Pretty much every other part of your wedding is optional except for your wedding venue. You do have to have a place to do the wedding in after all! With so many options available it can be a bit confusing to decide which to go for. So how do you select the right venue for your wedding here in South Carolina? We from Ray Photography think that if you pay attention to the following, you’ll be able to choose a location that is a perfect match for you.
- How’s the Space?
This is a very obvious and important thing to pay attention to when looking for your wedding venue. Make sure that the venue that you select is big enough to contain you and your guests. You shouldn’t try to cram 300 people into a venue that can only seat 100. The opposite is just as bad too. Picking a venue that is too big for you and your guests would mean that you’ll spend more trying to make it feel full and intimate. Just remember that the site might look enormous when empty but when you fit in tables, chairs, a bar, the music setup, and other wedding essentials, it will fill up quickly. Ask to see what it looked like when a wedding with a similar guest size like yours happened. Also, check on amenities like the restrooms. Are they up to standard, ADA approved and nearby so that your guests don’t have to go on a long journey just to pee?
- Privacy
Privacy varies depending on your venue and is really about the importance that you place on it. A day time event in a public space like a park is sure to feature strangers who might decide to pop in to say hi. If you don’t mind the distraction, then you can go right ahead. If not, you should probably go for a more secluded option. There is also the fact that banquet halls and some hotels often hold more than one event at a time. If you don’t want to hear another event going on through the walls while having yours, you should probably try to schedule your wedding when there won’t be another event next door. Also, don’t forget to ask about the available security at your venue to keep wedding crashers away.
- Lighting
Lighting can either make or mar the mood at your wedding. Your wedding pictures also come out amazing when the lighting at your event is great. To make sure your venue has good lighting, we’d recommend visiting at the time of the day when you intend to hold your wedding. If you’ll be marrying during the daytime, make sure that your venue has plenty of windows. For an evening event, you have to make sure that the room isn’t too dim.
- An Outside View You Like
Your outside view will serve as the backdrop to your event. It is what your guests will see as they come in. Try as much as you can to go for a location with an exceptional view. If you can’t get one for your budget, make sure the venue you do find makes up for it with great architectural details, artwork on the walls, chandeliers and more.
- Plenty of Parking
Inadequate parking isn’t really a deal-breaker. It could, however, mean that you have to spend more time and money finding other means of getting your guests to the venue. If your venue has a big garage or is near a good parking lot, it can be a nice added advantage.
- A Backup Plan Option
This is especially important if you are having an outdoor wedding. Weather can be quite unpredictable. It might not even be the rain that tries to put a damper on your event but the wind! Find out if your venue has an indoor space that you can use should the weather turn against you.
- Packages
Packages differ depending on your venue too. If you are a couple on a budget, some venues provide you with a package which is cheaper but isn’t full service. That way you can source for vendors that cost lower by yourself and stay on budget. Asides that, for a venue that provides full services including catering, bar, rentals and staffing, you should be prepared to put down about 40% to 50% of your budget to cover all costs. Also, pay attention to details like if the rehearsal before your wedding is part of the package. Does the package include complimentary car park passes, invitation card printing and wedding favors? How about rooms for the bride, groom and wedding party to get ready in? Just be aware that with some venues, the included rental items are often more basic (white linens, standard flatware, banquet chairs, etc.), so you may still end up paying more to rent items that fit your vision better.
Do you need a photographer for your wedding in Ridgeville and Charleston, South Carolina? Then you should contact us here at Ray Photography. But don’t just take our word for it. Check our portfolio for some samples of what we do. Contact us today!
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