Photographer: Into the Embers Photography
Wedding Venue Checklist: Choosing the Perfect Place to Say ‘I Do’
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the perfect venue. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, with the help of this comprehensive checklist, you’ll be able to find the ideal wedding venue that fits your style and needs.
Photographer: Christian + Elise Garcia Los Garcias Photography
1. Determine Your Budget
Before you start searching for potential venues, establish a budget for your wedding. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend will help you narrow down your options and prevent any unnecessary stress later on. Remember, the venue you choose will likely be the biggest expense in your budget, so don’t be afraid to splurge a little here! This will ultimately set the tone for your whole entire wedding day.
Photographer: Audrey Grace Photo
2. Create a Guest List
Make a list of all the guests you plan to invite to your wedding. This will give you an idea of how much space you’ll need and ensure that the venue can accommodate everyone comfortably. Some venues are now built specifically for micro-weddings, while others, like The Butterfly Pavilion, can hold a large amount of guests! The Butterfly Pavilion can accommodate 250 guests, so you can invite ALL your loved ones to celebrate your special day with you!
3. Set a Date (Specific or Non-Specific)
Choose a specific date or a few potential dates to choose from for your wedding. This will allow you to check the availability of potential venues and finalize your plans accordingly. Many venues fill up a year in advance, so it’s important to reach out to venues and secure a date with them in the very beginning of your wedding planning process.
Photographer: Into the Embers Photography
4. Research Potential Venues
Start researching different wedding venues in your desired location. Your location can be more narrow like a couple different cities within a certain radius, or it can be broad like looking all over Georgia for the most perfect venue. Look for venues that match your style, budget, and guest capacity requirements. Consider factors such as indoor/outdoor options, amenities, and the overall ambiance of each venue.
Photographer: Ivy & Linen
5. Visit and Tour the Venues
Schedule appointments to visit your most-desired venues. This will give you the opportunity to see the spaces in person, ask questions, and envision how your wedding day will look at each venue. This is also usually the time where you can find out about a venue’s preferred vendor list and any extras they offer like different customization options to make sure they have everything you want and need for your big day.
Photographer: Gabriela Isabel Photo
6. Ask About Packages and Services
Inquire about the packages and services offered by each venue. Some venues may provide additional services such as catering, event planning, or decor rentals. Make sure to clarify any additional costs and what is included in each package.
7. Consider Accessibility and Parking
Take into account the accessibility of the venue for both you and your guests. Is it easily reachable? Does it have parking facilities or plenty of parking options? Ensuring easy access and ample parking will enhance your guests’ experience.
Photographer: Ivy & Linen
8. Ask About the Venue's Amenities
There are going to be certain spaces you want on your big day, and certain amenities you may not even realize you need! A few most desired spaces are a gorgeous reception area, indoor and outdoor ceremony options, a bridal suite, and a groom’s suite. Some amenities that are extremely helpful that you may not realize you want before your big day actually arrives are a full catering kitchen, bathrooms with ample amount of space, a separate cocktail area, and tons of places to take photos around the property. The Butterfly Pavilion has all of these amenities and more.
9. Evaluate the Venue's Flexibility for Customization
Consider whether the venue can accommodate any special requests or customization options you may have. Flexibility is crucial as it allows you to personalize your wedding and make it truly unique.
For example, does the venue allow pets, sparklers for your exit, or food truck accessibility close to the reception space? Is the inside of the venue neutral enough to go with any color scheme you choose for your big day? Are you allowed to move around tables and chairs to create the perfect reception space for your wedding? Does the venue offer different decor options and pieces for you to utilize? These are just a few of the questions that you should ask to make sure all your needs are accommodated.
Photographer: Sammy Mckenzie
10. Check out the Photo-Opps
When touring venues or looking at their photos online, get a good idea of the places that you can take photos around the venue or on the grounds. You’ll want to make sure indoor spaces let in tons of natural light, as natural light makes for the best looking photos, and you’ll also want to make sure indoor spaces have plenty of room for different angles, close and far away shots, and room for everyone to be in your photos.
For outdoor spaces, you’ll want to ask to see the grounds of the venue and all the good photo opps outside. Venue owners usually see all the places that photographers have used in the past and how the photos turned out. They can suggest good spots for sunset photos, fields, intimate locations, and take you around the venue to see all the different spots you can utilize.
The Butterfly Pavilion sits on over 100 acres of untouched Georgia land, and has TONS of great places for photos on your wedding day!
The Butterfly Pavilion
Are you in the process of planning your wedding and looking for the perfect venue for your perfect day? Tour the The Butterfly Pavilion!
We are proudly locally owned and operated in Acworth, GA and can’t wait to work with you! Schedule a tour on our website at https://thebutterflypavilion.com/contact-us/ and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.