Picking the right wedding venue unlocks the key to the entire rest of the wedding planning puzzle. Finding an ideal venue is almost as challenging as finding "The One" (okay, not quite). The main ways to narrow down your options is to consider your location, budget, desired style and guest count (yes, it really helps to know that early on). But after those are narrowed down, you should consider a few other things that often get overlooked until it's too late.

Photo courtesy of Wedding Spot

We asked a recent bride and the founder of Wedding Spot , Tina Hoang-To, to share five most overlooked considerations that you should remember when booking your wedding venue.

Venue Layout

The flow of events is crucial to a successful wedding day. As you tour your top choice wedding venues, think about where the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception will take place. Will guests be able to easily navigate from one area to the next? Does your reception have to take place in the same spot as your ceremony? Is there some place you can take wedding photos?

Photo courtesy of Wedding Spot
Photo courtesy of Wedding Spot

Rentals

Fancy ceremony and reception chairs, aisle runners, cocktail tables, heat lamps, and the ceremony arch are just a few items that may or may not be included in your wedding venue cost. Every venue varies on what items and amenities they offer. For example, a venue may provide you with cocktail tables and chairs, but will require that you pay extra for heat lamps. That means that if you choose to have your wedding in a raw, empty space, you will most likely have to pay for all of the rental items, which can rack up pretty quickly.

Photo courtesy of Wedding SpotPhoto courtesy of Wedding Spot

Weather

If you're planning an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception, be sure to consider the local weather and make sure your venue is prepared for a plan B (I know, I know - you don't want to think about anything besides a clear sky on your big day, but things happen, so it's best to be prepared). Ask if the venue has tents or indoor spaces available for backup in case of an unexpected shower. Also ask about the availability of heating and air conditioning.

Photo courtesy of Wedding Spot

Special Restrictions

Every venue has a list of special restrictions. Some of them will cause no more than a shrug, but others can radically change how you plan your day. Some common special restrictions we see include: music end time, required wedding coordinator, approval of décor by venue, no birdseed or confetti, liability insurance, and valet parking.

Photo courtesy of Wedding Spot

Events in the Area

When booking your venue, double check that your wedding day doesn't coincide with a major event on the same day in the area. We heard one horror story of a concert taking place next door to a wedding -not ideal. Big events like concerts, football games, conferences and festivals can cause unexpected traffic delays and distractions. They can also create challenges for your guests' accommodation plans.

Photo courtesy of Wedding Spot

Be thorough in your research and even more thorough when you do your walk-through. Venue managers are there to answer your questions and address your concerns, so don't be shy.

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