Event Planners Calgary, Wedding Planners Calgary – Five Star Events Blog

The biggest wedding decision you’ll make (other than picking the guy) is selecting the locations for your wedding & reception.  The venue sets the scene for every other aspect of your wedding, so it’s important to know all of the factors to consider when choosing your venue.

You probably have an image in your head of what your wedding location may look like and that’s a good place to start.  But the first decision to make is whether or not your ceremony and reception will occur in the same location.  If not, then you must consider how large a geographic radius you want to search for your two venues.  It’s best to keep your distance between locations as short as possible.

Be prepared when you begin researching venues.  It’s best to have a wedding date and guest count in mind before beginning the big search.  The first questions you’ll be asked are what is your wedding date and how many guests are you planning.  The type of reception meal that you are planning also plays a role in size of venue.  A seated dinner for 150 requires more space than an hors d’oeurves reception.  Keep the venue size proportionate to your guest list.  If a venue is way too big then your event will be drawfed by the large space.  More importantly, don’t try to cram too many people in a small area.  Keep in mind your other space needs like: dancing, cake display, dj/band, buffet, etc.

Budget obviously can be a make or break factor in selecting your venue.  Plan for the reception (including site fee, food & beverage) to account for about half of your total wedding budget.  So, if a location far exceeds that percentage, keep looking.  Another way a venue can affect your budget is the amount of decor required to achieve your desired look.  If you pick a bare space, keep in mind you’ll spend more money to decorate than a space that has some style of its own.

Flexibility of the venue is also important if you are having both the ceremony and reception in one location.  It’s also crucial if you are planning an outdoor ceremony or reception.  There must be a back up facility in case of inclement weather.  And, a tent alone is not enough of a back up plan.  Please don’t book a venue on a wish and a prayer that the weather will be perfect. So, the goal is to hope for the best but plan for the worst.

Once you’ve established your criteria, selecting the venue should become much easier.  If you do not have a particular type of venue in mind from the beginning, then browse the numerous directories online to see what category of venue strikes your fancy.  Just a few of the venue possibilities to consider are:

Religious,  Historic,  Gardens,  Hotel,  Private Club,  Event Ballroom,  Restaurant,  Museum/Library/Arts,  Resort,  Inn/B&B,  Vineyard,  Equestrian,  Academic,  Arena/Stadium,  Public Park,  Riverfront,   Beach

After you’ve browsed the facilities online and narrowed down your prospects, it’s best to call and schedule an appointment for a tour.  When viewing venues, check out their bridal books & photos so that you see what real weddings in the space can look like.

Choosing your venue is important but it can also be quite fun if you establish your criteria ahead of time and prepare for your appointments.  Just remember, your wedding is what you make it!

Article authored by Amy Van Meter