DC Wedding Planner | How to choose your wedding venue!

Hey There! Congrats on your engagement and i'm so excited that you're ready to start the planning process!

First thing's first, create your wedding budget! I know more numbers right? However, this is the most important step to planning your wedding. It helps you create a base to figure out which wedding vendors you can afford to hire.

Now that we've figured that out you first need to hire a wedding planner. Just in case this isn't your first step you choose you will need to find a venue. In choosing your wedding venue there are a lot of things that come into play such as location, affordability, guest count, is it convenient for your guest, and is it already booked, that you will need to think about.

1. Can I afford this venue?  Budget is something that couples stress a lot about when planning a wedding but if you attack your budget headfirst in the beginning it shouldn't be an issue in the course of your planning your wedding. Sure things will come up but you will be prepared.
   
2. Is your wedding date booked with this venue? I highly encourage booking your wedding at least a year in advance, 15 months if it's a popular venue.
   
3. Can this venue fit my anticipated guest count? You want to be sure that this venue can fit your guest comfortably, what is the capacity for seated and standing guest?
   
4. How does this venue's layout flow with my vision? Will it be easy for vendors to load in/out? Are your guest able to approach each space safely? Are all the spaces on one floor?
   
5. Location: Will the ceremony and reception be in the same space or two separate venues? Is it in the budget to transport all of your guest from ceremony to reception?
   
6. Vendor choices: If you want to bring in your own vendors be sure to ask if they have a preferred vendors that are exclusive to working with the venue. Is there in-house catering or can you bring in an outside cater?
   
7. Do they have WI-FI? Nowadays Wi-Fi is a big deal not only to guest but to your vendors. A lot of electronics run better on Wi-Fi vs regular cellular data. Be sure to ask about cellular reception as well as Wi-Fi passwords.
   
8. Do you vibe well with the overall venue?  This is a big decision and it sets the tone for your wedding day and overall vision. You want to be sure that you vibe well with the staff, love the wedding venue, and most of all that it fits your budget.
9. Lastly, if you're going all-inclusive or having a destination wedding what does this mean for your budget? What all is included in this exclusive package? Make sure that every detail is outlined in this package.
   

Now it's time to answer the questions you asked yourself. Don't worry you're not alone! That's right your favorite wedding planning in the world is going to help you work it out girl!

Are you ready to find your dream wedding venue?

Grab your budget worksheetto start the process.

Tiffany Richardson is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!