Awesome events don't just happen. They have to be planned. When getting married, there are a lot of things to consider. Things such as theme, colors, budget and of course, the dress! Also, on that list should be the venue. However, many brides and grooms don't consider the venue as a whole when selecting it for their wedding. The venue holds the power to make or break the perfect wedding. The venue will help that theme to stand out, those colors to pop and that dress to shine. Choosing the perfect wedding venue is more than just its location and picturesque views.
Hyatt Midtown Atlanta: Image Courtesy of Ross Oscar Knight Photography
Hyatt Midtown Atlanta: Image Courtesy of Ross Oscar Knight Photography
Ashton Gardens Chapel: Image Courtesy of Taun Henderson Photography
The Piedmont Room: Image Courtesy of Ross Oscar Knight Photography
Choosing the right venue takes some skill. When considering where to host your big day, you have to think about several key factors to make the right decision.
- Guest size: Will the venue hold 200 guests or is its maximum 150 guests? Will your guests be comfortable enough to eat dinner and mingle after you add the dance floor?
- Parking: Will your guests have a difficult time parking? Will they have to pay to park or will you have to get parking passes for them? Does the venue require you to have valet parking for your guests?
- Inclusions: Many wedding venues offer tables and chairs with your rental. Do they have enough tables? Do they have the type and color chairs that you want or will you have to rent different ones? With traditional seating being a thing of the past, it's important to know if your chosen venue has enough tables and the type of chairs to accommodate your design.
- Vendor Deliveries: The venue may be gorgeous but what's will the delivery be like for your vendors? Is there a service elevator or will they have to navigate stairs? Is the delivery area large enough for multiple delivery trucks or will the deliveries have to be coordinated to allow for the ease of your deliveries?
- Rental Time: With every rental, you're given an allotment of time. Typically, you'll have a six hour event rental; a half hour for your ceremony, an hour for your cocktail reception, and four hours for your reception. However, this isn't the case with every venue. Some only offer enough time for a three hour reception and may charge additional for more time. How much time is allowed for set up and break down? If you and your wedding planner have come up with an elaborate design, an hour or two to set up just won't be enough.
- Hotels: Are there hotels near by for your out of town guests? Will your guests have to travel a great distance from their hotel to your venue? With the traffic in your city, will arriving to your wedding venue be easy or somewhat of a challenge for your guests?
Payne-Corley House: Image Courtesy of Matt Yung Photography
Rhodes Hall: Image Courtesy of Sophia Barrett Studios
The Ritz Carlton Downtown Atlanta: Image Courtesy of Michelle Davina Photography
The Wimbish House: Image Courtesy of Bri McDaniel Photography
Choosing the perfect wedding venue is no small feat. Location definitely matters, but as you can see, there are other things that you must consider as well. Working along side your wedding planner will definitely help you make the right decision for your wedding, helping you have a perfect wedding day. Happy planning!