Selecting the ideal wedding and reception venues might be the most important aspect of wedding planning. The date, time, amount of guests and even your wedding dress all depend on the location. We asked Adair Currie of Dairing Events for some tips on choosing the perfect venues.
• Hire a wedding planner. Not everyone’s budget can include a wedding planner, but for busier couples who need an extra hand, it might be worth the splurge. “A venue coordinator’s sole interest is the venue, while the wedding planner’s interest is the bride,” says Currie.
• Make it personal. If you had your first date at the beach, maybe you’d want to incorporate the sea in the wedding. “I recommend couples to look to themselves,” says Currie. “You really glean a lot of the couple’s life together by doing this. If their personalities don’t run parallel, the venue might not reflect the personality of the couple.”
• Get the details. Know exactly how much a venue and its services will cost to avoid spending more cash than expected. Currie strongly recommends couples pick up an itemized agreement form that details everything the venue will offer such as food and beverage costs, room set up, staffing requirements, etc.
• Keep Count. There’s a rule of thumb among wedding planners that about 20 percent of guests don’t show up, but Currie disagrees. “Pick a venue based on the number of guests that you’re actually inviting.” In addition to finding a spot big enough for guests, also look into what other services are provided.
By Danae Leake • Photo by Brooke Images