Friday, August 31, 2018

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Venue

Today, I am honored to bring you this guest post from Alex at The Berger Bungalow. Enjoy!

Hi, friends! My name is Alex Berger and I am thrilled that I am able to guest blog for Stephanie today! I run a blog called The Berger Bungalow, which typically focuses on travel and culinary articles, with some lifestyle scattered in. I also write a few articles here and there for The Knot Magazine, so I am into all things weddings! Today, I want to stick to my roots and talk about how to choose the perfect wedding venue. I have been married for three years now (it will be four in February) and I still remember the day that Ian and I found our wedding venue. It was so magical and I was so, so insanely excited. If you find the right venue, this is what you should feel, as well and I really want every single bride to feel this way, which is why I wanted to write this post! So, without further ado, let’s jump in:


How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Venue

Imagine Your Day
I know that everyone says that your wedding invitations are going to be your guests first impression of your wedding, but I do not think that is true. Instead, I think the first impression that your guests will get is your venue. When they drive up to the location and walk to the aisle, that is their first impression. So, when you are imagining your day, I want you to think about everything -

How will guests be greeted? What will the aisle look like? Where do you want flowers? What colors do you want in your wedding party? How many bridesmaids and groomsmen do you want? How many people are invited, all together? Will you have a seated dinner? What have you always imagined? What is most important to you? What could you care less about?

These are just a few of the many questions that you need to ask yourself. Once you figure out exactly what you want your day to look like, I need you to make a list. Make sure to include every single little detail that is important to you. Now, you do not need to write the exact dress style that you want because this could change after you find your venue, but if you have certain colors in mind, make sure to write that down because you do not want those colors clashing with your wedding venue.

Now that you have imagined your day and know what you want, you are armed and ready to start creating a budget and looking at venues!


Tour Venues
After you have your list and create your budget, start your venue research. Now, I know everyone’s first instinct is to look in your immediate area, but do not be afraid to search outside of your general area, or even your comfort zone. For example, Jeter Mountain Farm, which is a wedding venue located in Hendersonville, NC, says, “Our valued guests have traveled as far as California and New York. Our guests often leave with huge smiles and lasting memories, commenting it truly is an experience like no other.” Situated on 411 acres of rolling hills with jaw-dropping views of mountains, it is no wonder that guests from all over the country to tie the knot at Jeter Mountain Farm and celebrate with their friends and family. With over 35,000 square feet of barn and kitchen area, four wedding seasons under their belt, as well as many happy couples, the Hunsader family is committed to making your big day exactly how you dreamed it. After touring many venues of my own during my experience, it is rare to find venue owners that are this committed to each and every bride, and I believe this is just one of many reasons why Jeter Mountain Farm stands out and really goes above and beyond. In order to find your perfect venue, one that will be committed to providing you with the wedding day that you imagined, you have to be open to looking around you, as well as in places that you do not first think of.


Look At Reviews
Looking at reviews and testimonials from wedding venues is very important. Actually, before you book any vendor at all, you 100% need to read many reviews and testimonials on and off of their direct website. Unfortunately, I had quite a few mishaps during our planning process, as well as after our wedding, and it could have been completely avoided if I just would have spent more time reading reviews. Please do not skip this step! Even if you really like a person, vendor, or wedding venue, make sure you read reviews before signing a contract.

Get The Magical Feeling!
Last but not least, when you get the magical feeling that I first described at the top of this article, that is when you know that you’ve found the venue for you. Finding the wedding venue of your dreams is not as hard as you think as long as you follow the correct steps, stay within budget, and find vendors and a venue that really care about making the day perfect for you. When you find this, you will know!

I hope these tips on how to choose the perfect wedding venue will help any of you that are in the stages of planning your perfect day. Please let me know if you have any questions at all!

22 comments:

  1. I would recommend weighing your options between a venue where you have to bring in all your vendors and decorate a lot but it's cheaper, or a pricier venue where they take care of everything for you. It all depends on the time and energy you have for planning!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post! Weddings seem overwhelming but this post break it down for those who are in the wedding planning process!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love all your tips! My parents own and run a very successful wedding venue and I'd say your right on with all your suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loved your tips!! This will definitely help me in the near future! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I usually feel exhausted and overwhelmed organising big event especially weddings but you just simplified everything. Love the way you've broken every step down.Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great tips, might come in handy when one of my boys get married. But I have a few more years I hope!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is such a great and sweet post! Reminded me of my big day so many years ago! And I love your last one! The magical feeling is what you’ve dreamed of all those years and can’t be missed!

    ReplyDelete
  8. These are great suggestions! Planning a wedding can be very exhausting since there are so many details involved. You have helped to simplify the process!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I feel overwhelmed when there's a lot of planning involved. I'd rather hire a trusted agency and let them do the hard yards for a discount if I am on good terms with them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Once I picked the place, I'd leave the rest to the planner as well, lol. Some people can do it, some people can't, I guess ;)

      Delete
  10. Aww that's so sweet. One day in my future

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great tips and meticulous planning every 'about to wed' must see. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete