How to Pick the Perfect Venue

One of the most important aspects of planning your event is deciding where the event will happen. It will set the tone for the entire evening and hopefully not break the bank. Several things should be considered when selecting the venue: Does it properly accommodate your anticipated guest count? Does it fit your budget?  Is it available? Do you like the venue? Is the location convenient? What are the restriction?

While searching for a venue, it is recommended to keep a running list or spreadsheet with all of the following information to keep you more organized and less stressed about planning your event.

When contacting venues about availability, be sure to inquire about the venue size and pricing. Some venues have multiple areas with different maximum capacity to accommodate parties of all sizes. Don’t be afraid to ask for floor layouts to help visualize the venue before the tour. This could also help with the event layout. Determine what day of the week to have the event as most venues will charge more for events on the weekend rather than a weekday.

Always try to schedule a venue tour. Although the pictures online look really nice, you won’t know what the venue truly looks like until you step foot inside. Bring the floor plan with and see if your original idea would now that you’ve seen the venue.

The location of the venue plays a role in the attendance to your event. Keep in mind who you are inviting and how far most people would travel for the event.

When on tour, inquire about the catering and decorating restrictions. Some venues have an exclusive caterer for their hosted event. Venues may also have restrictions on the decor such as no open flame or sparklers.