Choosing a setting for your wedding is often one of the first and biggest items to check off your wedding-planning list.

The venue creates the atmosphere of your event and becomes the aesthetic foundation on which the rest of your style decisions are built. What’s more, your venue’s availability will often dictate your wedding date and, by extension, your bookings with other vendors. Here are a few tips for getting the perfect venue:

Style

When researching different tour venues, keep your vision for your wedding in mind. Pay attention to the look and feel of the place, and whether you can see it complimenting your style. Consider choosing a beautiful, cared-for space that is also neutral and customizable – a blank canvas for you to make your own occasion.

One venue

Your event will flow more effortlessly, and your guests will be more relaxed if the ceremony and reception are at the same venue. Look for a venue that has separate spaces available for the ceremony and reception, though, to keep the event lively and dynamic for your guests.

Outdoor amenities

If you are certain you want an outdoor wedding, choose a venue that already has the necessary amenities (water, electricity, restroom, and some king of shelter) to avoid the added stress and expense of trucking in generators and water tanks, renting tents or needing portable restrooms.

Have enough staff

A professional and accommodating venue staff can go a long way in taking the stress out of your big day. A venue with the appropriate staff can offer supportive services, coordination packages and more – as well as answer any pertinent questions during the planning process.

Destination weddings

For a destination wedding, work with a venue that can also provide lodging, activities, gathering places and transportation for your guests. Not only will all of your guests be in relaxing vacation mode, but you will also be relieved of making sure everyone is entertained and taken care of.

Budget

Ask for a detailed description of what is included in the rental of the venue; knowing what you’ll have to come up with versus what the venue will cover is essential to understanding what will fit into your budget. Some venues will come with food and beverage minimums that should be incorporated into your budget, too.

And Finally…

Make sure that your venue is the perfect match for what your big day!