Choosing your venue

  • If you are on a budget, choosing a venue isn't always easy. Think outside the box for a venue. Consider places such as: art galleries, small hotels, community centers, parks, a barn, cabin rentals, warehouses ( a big empty space is a great place to provide an unlimited amount of decorations)  local theaters and performance halls, bed and breakfasts, etc.
  • Some places have houses you can rent by the week for vacations. These can be great locations and can provide your wedding party with a place to stay the night before.  This is also a great place to have your honeymoon for the rest of the week if you have a budget honeymoon as well. Here is a website that is an example of vacation home rentals: http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals
  • Combining your reception and ceremony site can cut your costs considerably
  • Venues are sometimes rented out for cheaper rates on days other than Saturdays. Timing can also affect your cost. Some places have the mornings priced cheaper than the evenings. 

Things to ask your venue


Things to ask all venues whether it be reception or ceremony site
  • How many people can your venue accommodate?
  • Do you have preferred vendors (meaning if you use their venue, you have to use specific photographers, bakers, caterers, etc)
  • Most hotels that have a restaurant do not allow outside catering other than your cakes
  • Ask about the limitation of decorations (candles with an open flame, fresh petals (some don't like those because they can stain the floors when stepped on), 
  • Ask if chairs are provided for ceremony and/or reception or if they need to be rented.

Reception
  • Ask if tables and table linens are provided.
  • If you are having a dinner reception, ask  if they provide waitstaff.
  • If a dessert comes with your dinner for the reception, ask about cutting it out and lowering the cost of your meal since you will be providing wedding cake.
  • Ask if drinks are included in your "meal" if you are having a dinner reception.
  • Ask about cleanup (are you responsible or do they provide cleanup staff)

Ceremony
  • If using a church, ask if there are restrictions on wedding attire, what traditions are done, if music is allowed, if outside preachers/reverends etc. are allowed to officiate the marriage. 
  • If decorations are allowed on the pews.