Researching venues for your wedding is one of the first decisions you'll make when planning your wedding. it's both fun and exciting to find the place where you will celebrate one of the most important days in your life!
There is a lot to consider when looking for a venue and I'm going to share 10 questions that you make sure you have the answer to before you make your final decision and sign that contract.
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What is the seating capacity?
Of course you need to make sure that the venue will hold all of your guests!
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Is there a fee for reserving the venue?
Some churches/synagogues charge a fee, some simply as for a donation, make sure to ask.
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Is flash photography allowed in the church?
Many churches do not allow flash photography. If they do not, it is especially important for your Photographer to know.
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Is there an area for the bridal party to dress?
If you have plans of wanting to get married at the church, make sure there are accommodations to allow you to do so. The area may only be large enough for the bride to get dressed.
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Talk with the officiant to find out if you can personalize the ceremony and/or write your own vows.
If you have always wanted to write your own vows, this may not be possible with the officiant at the church you have chosen. Like with everything, it is important to ask. -
How long are you able to rent the site for?
You want to make sure that if you are getting dressed at the venue you have enough time to do so. You also need to know if there is another event or wedding before or after yours. This will affect your access to the venue. Make sure to ask about other events two weeks before your wedding; although the day you booked the venue, there were no other events, this can change quickly.
Other events may also affect your photography time. You may have to take more pictures before the wedding or wait until you get to the reception location. Make sure that you also find out the availability of the site for your rehearsal. -
Are you able to provide your own music?
Included in the rental of the church, you may also have inherited the church’s organist or perhaps a choir member. Maybe this is great for you because that is on e less cost that you will have to deal with. It isn’t so great if you had planned for your opera trained cousin to sing at your wedding. -
Can the church help you save on rentals?
Most churches have candles, candelabras, and unity candles; find out if these are available to you. -
Are there any decorating, videography, or music restrictions?
Make sure to find out all of the don’ts that come along with renting the particular venue. Are rose petals not allowed, are you not allowed to hang items on the walls? Find out the restrictions as well on your send off, such as no birdseed, rice tossing, etc.10. Is it possible to have your reception at the same venue?
Having your ceremony and reception in the same venue cuts down on rental fees as well as transportation costs. Keep in mind if your plan to have your ceremony in a church or synagogue, you will most likely not be able to have any alcohol at your reception, although this is another way you can keep your costs down.
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