How To Pick the Perfect Wedding Venue

Once you’ve determined your overall wedding budget, decide how much of it you want to allocate for the venue. (We’ve got wedding budget breakdowns to help you pinpoint a number!) Keep in mind that some venues may include essentials like tables and chairs in their pricing, while others charge extra. To lower the cost, consider an off-season or Sunday wedding, both of which can yield a lower price tag, and check out these surprisingly affordable wedding venues.

To secure your desired wedding date, begin your venue search early to maximize availability. Even if you have flexibility with your date, starting in advance offers a wider range of options.

Ensure that the venue aligns with the vision you have for your wedding. For instance, a rustic theme may not work in a luxury hotel, whereas a park, barn, or ranch could be perfect. For help settling on your wedding style, take this quiz.

Avoid choosing a venue that is too large for a smaller guest list or else it may feel empty. Likewise, you don’t want to try to squeeze too many guests into a small space. Having an estimate of your guest count—even a super rough one—before you begin venue shopping can make it easier to narrow down your options. Need help? Check out our guide to creating your wedding guest list.

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, inquire about backup options in case of inclement weather. Make sure the venue has suitable indoor spaces or backup plans, like tents, to ensure a seamless celebration.

Things to think about: How close is the venue to the airport? If the venue doesn’t offer accommodations, are there any nearby? How easy is it to get to the venue?

Some venues host multiple events or weddings on the same day. If this is the case, ask how much of the place you’ll have to yourselves and how separate the different parties will be. You can also ask whether you can book the whole venue for an extra cost.

Find out exactly what the venue provides: parking, tables and chairs, linens, etc. And don't forget about the bathrooms. If you’re having a farm wedding, for example, you might need to rent portable restrooms.

Have your heart set on a candlelit ceremony, a band, or your dog serving as your ring bearer? Make sure your venue allows candles, live music, and dogs. You should also discuss setup and tear-down times, curfews, noise restraints, and anything else you may need to plan around.

Some venues allow you to use your own vendors, while others want you to use their in-house florist, caterer, bartenders, and planner. If you know there’s a certain restaurant you want to provide the food, a no-outside-vendors policy may be a dealbreaker for you.

Ask how accessible the facilities are, including the entrances and exits, functional elevators, bathrooms, parking, and seating options.

Reading what people are saying about your venue is a good way to get intel from married couples who have actually held their wedding there. You might find information about aspects of the venue you hadn’t thought to consider.

Ultimately, you want to choose a venue that feels right to you. If it looks beautiful on Instagram but feels sterile in person, for example, trust your IRL instincts. The same goes for the venue coordinator: Do they make you feel comfortable? Are they professional? Go with your gut and select a venue where you can easily envision celebrating your special day.

A general rule is to try to book your venue a year to nine months before your wedding. If your dates aren’t flexible, you may want to start looking even earlier.

It can take a couple of months to find just the right place to hold your wedding.

Viewings vary in length but typically last between 30 minutes and one hour. How long a viewing lasts can depend on the size of the venue, how much detail the venue coordinator goes into, and how many questions you ask.

Aside from you and your partner, it’s best to keep your group as small as possible. This will help you focus on what you want without having to weigh too many opinions. If someone is paying for all or part of the venue, it might be nice to invite them to the viewing.