Picking the perfect spot to tie the knot is a big deal when planning your dream wedding. The venue sets the vibe for the whole celebration and is the foundation for all your special moments. With so many things to think about, like size, location, style, and budget, finding the ideal spot can be a bit overwhelming.

We’ve created a guide to help you find the perfect wedding venue, giving you tips and tricks so you can make the best decision. From figuring out your budget and guest list to checking out different venue types and wedding styles, this guide has everything you need to find the perfect wedding venue for your big day.

Set a Budget

First things first, before you do anything else you need to set a budget. It may seem like the boring part of finding the perfect wedding venue, but it’s actually the most important. Determining your budget before you start looking at venues is the smart move so you don’t fall in love with a place you can’t afford. Sit down with your partner or whoever is paying for your wedding and determine your budget so you don’t end up disappointed later on. 

Figure Out Your Guest List

Next you’ll want to figure out how many people you’re inviting to your wedding. Knowing how many people you’re planning on inviting will allow you to remove venues from your list. 

What’s Your Wedding Style?

You’ll probably already know this, but determining your wedding style is super important when it comes to choosing a wedding venue. Someone who wants a bohemian wedding wouldn’t get married in a hotel ballroom, while someone who is going for something more classic, probably wouldn’t want to get married in a barn. A great way to figure out what you like is by making a Pinterest board for inspiration. Then you’ll be able to see exactly what sort of vibe you’re going for. 

Where Do You Want to Get Married?

Are you hoping for a destination wedding? Do you want to be married in London? Or in a field somewhere? If you have big dreams of a destination wedding, that will be a huge factor in budget, capacities, and vibe. If you know you want to be married in the town or city that you live in, that makes it a bit easier on not only you, but the guests too.

Visit as Many Venues as You Can

The next step is to visit as many venues as you can. If it’s on your list, you should try to see it in person. You won’t really be able to decide on a place unless you see it. Of course, if you are having a destination wedding, it might be hard to do this, so check if the venues have virtual tours or videos of their spaces. Seeing a venue in person can be the difference between feeling okay about a place or as if you’ve found the venue of your dreams. 

Remember to Ask Questions

If you have a wedding planner, they may take the lead on this one. However, if you’re planning things yourself, you want to make sure to ask your top venue choices as many questions as you need. Find out about catering, parking, if there’s a place for the wedding party to get ready, accommodations, and accessibility. Ask if there are different packages available or if you need to source everything externally. It’s really important to know the ins-and-outs of the venue you’re booking before you actually sign on the dotted line. 

VenueScanner has a large selection of beautiful wedding venues across the country to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a rustic barn, elegant ballroom, a charming castle in Scotland, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered.