Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! This will be one of the most remarkable and memorable nights of your life. There's a lot on the line here to achieve that perfect outcome. Luckily, proper planning can relieve all that pressure. (By the way, get some instant wedding help by downloading Modern Moment's wedding guide, a step-by-step tool for achieving your dream wedding.)
But you're here today to learn more about how to find the right wedding venue. This isn't a decision you should take lightly, so a wedding venue checklist is necessary. In this ultimate wedding venue checklist, we'll cover:
Initial venue considerations
Venue amenities and features
Event space
Food and drink
Additional services
Remember, your wedding venue sets up your whole event, so understanding all your venue requirements is essential for choosing the right partner. By the end of this blog, you'll know just what to consider when making this critical choice.
After choosing the venue, you can move on to fun decisions like which popular wedding trends you will follow.
Planning a Wedding? Call Modern Moments.
Modern Moments offers a charming and versatile space for your wedding that can accommodate between 100 (indoor) and 300 guests (outdoor). We are upfront about our affordable rates. Take a look at our most current wedding venue rates now.
Initial Venue Considerations
There are hundreds of potential wedding venues to choose from. So, the first step is to narrow the prospects to a reasonable list. You can do this by determining the practical details for your perfect wedding, such as:
Capacity. Can the venue fit all your guests? Will the space look too small or too big for your expected headcount?
Availability. Can the venue work for your ideal date?
Budget. What are the estimated all-in costs with the venue?
Location and accessibility. Can the majority of your guests easily make it to the wedding location? Can they accommodate guest accessibility needs?
Only a select handful will likely be a perfect match for these details.
Check if any venue you’re considering has restrictions that won’t work for your magical day. Some examples of restrictions to consider are alcohol policies, time limits, noise restrictions, and decor limitations.
Venue Amenities and Features
Now that you have the basic outline for what your venue needs to have and provide, it's time to consider what amenities and features you may want from a wedding venue. Some of the features brides and grooms may care about are private rooms where the bridal party can get ready and change, guest accommodation options, indoor or outdoor event areas, catering and bar services, furnishings, parking, and restrooms.
Event Space
Think about the event space itself. Does it match the image you had in mind for your perfect wedding? Questions to consider here are:
Will the ceremony and reception be held in separate areas?
What are the backup options in case of changing weather conditions?
What's the availability of audio equipment?
How much time is available beforehand for decorating?
What will the lighting be like?
Does the venue have dance floor space and availability, or must people arrange their own?
What are the layout options for seating arrangements?
Is there sufficient space for a band or DJ?
Food and Drink
One of the things your guests will talk about the most about your wedding is the food and drinks. People come to have a great time and celebrate with you, and food and drinks are a large component of the entire event.
First, you need to understand if your venue:
Offers on-site catering and/or bar services
Whether people must arrange independent bar and catering services
If the catering or bar services can be outsourced, ask if you must use approved vendors only. Evaluate this list beforehand to ensure you’re satisfied with the options.
When looking at the catering and bar services, make sure to cover all the details for the following:
Customizable menus/dietary requirements
Tasting sessions
Corkage fees
Wait staff and bartending service availability
Minimum spend
Additional Services
Consider the extra services you may require for your wedding and determine whether your venue offers these. Some examples of additional services are on-site security, guest transportation, pre-event setup, post-event cleanup, and event coordination services.
Secure a Wedding Venue With Modern Moments Today!
Modern Moments has everything you could want in a wedding venue, from complimentary tables and chairs to professional event planning services. Check out our wedding venue rates to see how affordable your perfect day can be.