· · Don’t procrastinate. Especially if time is of the essence in order to get a specific date
- · Make sure you get all the hidden costs squeezed out of your venues (believe me there are quite a few at the more renowned ones)
- · Remember that it is your wedding and you are paying the venue so technically they work for you. Be assertive (but not rude). Tell them exactly what you are looking for. Ask for freebies (they will throw them in)
- · Do NOT over venue hunt (as in go see). If you do, you will then find too many faults in every venue and really struggle to find one (trust me on this one, because it’s exactly what we did)
- · Pick 10 venues out of the hundreds you have emailed and then go and see them. Then short list again to 7. Go see those 7. Short list to 3. Pick 1. (one of my best friends and bridesmaids did her venue hunt this way, best way ever!)
- · Make sure that you read and reread the contract and discuss any points you need to with the venue
- · Be sure that the ambience and setting matches the theme of your wedding (Goth meets Cape Dutch does not work. Classic and elegant meets pub does not work)
- · Be sure to not only take your fiancé along, but also your parents and a bridesmaid/groomsman for a 2nd look at your final choice before booking. They will help you make the most informed decision and will point out things you did not notice either good or bad
- · Do not take the whole extended family and bridal party to view your venue before booking. There will be too many opinions
- · At the end of the day, it is the bride and groom’s decision on which venue they pick, however, if you are lucky enough to have your parents contributing a substantial amount or even paying for your whole wedding, do let them have a say
- · Do not over analyzeIf you know exactly where you want to get married, then get the brochure, do your sums and book. Don’t look at other venues. It will spoil your vision.
- · Pick a venue that has natural beauty and that you do not have to spend a fortune redecorating
- and draping
- · Quite a few venues charge extra for waiters/barmen and their transport. Enquire as to this as it ends up being quite costly if you haven’t factored that in
- · Do not book a venue smaller than the list of people you would like to invite. The same goes for booking a large venue, do not book a huge ballroom for 300 guests if you only plan on inviting 80
- · Whichever venue you decide on: Wine farm, hotel, city warehouse, picnic, forest, country mansion, garden, your parents’ house, the beach…remember, it’s about you and your day and what makes you happy
