Choosing a wedding venue is a big decision, one that will set the tone for your entire day. Whether you are choosing one venue for the ceremony and another for the reception, or choosing one location for the whole day, it’s a decision that should be made quickly once you have your ideal date(s) in mind.

Venues, especially popular one, book very quickly! Once you decide on your date, you need to decide what type of venue will be right for your wedding. There are all kinds of venues from wineries to hotels to back yards. Here are a few things to think about when choosing your venue.

1. Your guest list. How many people are you inviting? Are you inviting families? This seems like an obvious thing to think about, but getting a handle on your guest list before choosing your venue is important. You don’t want to cram 200 people in a space intended for 100. You also don’t want to have a huge space and only be inviting a few people. If you are having an intimate, personal wedding with 50 guests, you want to find a smaller space that will be comfortable for that number of people.
2. Your wedding theme/style. If you have a fancy black-tie wedding in mind, you probably aren’t going to book a barn venue. If you are a DIY bride wanting shabby chic, you probably aren’t going to have your wedding in an upscale, crystal chandelier type ballroom.
3. Location. You may have found the perfect venue, but it’s in downtown Chicago and half of your guest list has never traveled to the city. You want to consider your guests as you choose your venue, and help to head off any issues ahead of time. If you have a lot of family coming from out of town and needing lodging, you will probably want a venue that is close to suitable hotels or other lodging options. If you are having an open bar, you won’t want your guests driving far away to sleep.
4. Think Outside the Box. There are plenty of venues that are specifically designed to be wedding venues. If you want something a little different, there are oodles of outside-the-box options. If you adore animals, maybe a zoo would be right for you. Movie buffs may choose an upscale movie theater. One of my favorite ideas I’ve seen recently is to have a wedding in a museum or art gallery. While these options may present some challenges, you will definitely get points for uniqueness!
5. Know What is Included and What is Allowed. As your choosing your venue, you need to keep in mind what is included in each venue you are considering. Some venues include food or a cake. Others include a linens and tableware. You also want to know if the venue will only allow the use of certain vendors. You don’t want to book your venue and then months down the road find out they won’t allow an outside photographer or DJ. Find out exactly what you are paying for and what flexibility you have.

*Wedding Wednesdays come weekly to the blog as a way to help all couples in planning their weddings. I love sharing what I’ve learned in my years in the industry to help you make planning easier and less stressful.