It is a truth untold that once the venue of a wedding is booked the planning process goes faster. The reason being that it dictates a lot many other aspects of organising a wedding. But just because it simplifies the planning, it doesn’t mean any random venue will do. Before putting in the deposit for a gorgeous out-of-the-way farmhouse or a church that is only available for 2 hours, consider a few things. The nine elements to ponder over, thoroughly, are defined underneath.
- Estimating
Like any other significant financial decision, evaluating the budget is the first step to choosing a wedding venue. Blindly selecting a site that has ac Kalyana mandapam is not the way forward. Guesstimate the budget of the wedding which will most likely depend upon the guest list. Therefore, find the approximate number of guests that will be invited and then calculate the ballpark digit of the budget. It is this number that will help draw up the list of possible wedding venues.
- Theme
For many couples, the big day is a long-time envisioned dream. While some want a lavish affair, others are more comfortable with a small and intimate party. For few, it is the rustic feel that brings life to the wedding, and for some, it is the formal appeal. Deciding the theme of the marriage plays a pivotal role is choosing a venue. For example, a bride and groom that want to take the traditional route will need to review places that follow the Vastu guidelines.
For the couple who want to host a non-traditional party, out of the box site like galleries will be the better option. But these demand closer attention to details such as linens, cutlery, tables and chairs which also add to the budget assessment.
- Logistics
By now, the list is whittled enough that visiting each location, physically, is not a tedious chore. At this stage, the point to bear in mind is to not fall in love with the aesthetics of a place, instantly. Consider the logistics such as was it easy to reach the venue and how much time it took, then put it on the column of possible venues.
- Provisions
Few sites offer the whole shebang, starting from chairs and ending with décor and there are some wedding halls and lawns that only provide the space. Depending upon the level of control a bride or groom wants over these decisions, a venue can be removed or shortlisted. Ask the site manager, if there are any vendor restrictions. It might change your viewpoint of the place.
- Catering
A lot of marriage venues insist on in-house catering which can limit your choices. Thus, consider how important is cuisine to the D-Day for you and how innovative is the site in catering to your wishes. It is little things like cake cutting fee that can spoil the entire celebration. So, find out beforehand if there is any such limitation like only choosing the vendor allied with the venue for food and drinks.
- Revisit
The venue list will have only 3 or 4 names at this point. Revisit each of them and question the following:
- Did it have the same charm?
- Did they reach your stylistic requirements?
- Were they big enough?
- Will the celebration hold a comfortable flow?
The best time to visit would be the same time as the actual wedding to get a feel of the ambience, aesthetics, and lighting.
- Converse
A marriage necessitates coordination with many people like the sound system engineer, catering manager, décor head and unmistakably the venue manager. On one of the visits, converse with everyone who will be involved in planning and executing the wedding. Ask them any questions that may have arisen and judge how well the people will perform on the D-Day. A lazy tech person may lead to the wrong song playing while you walk towards the stage.
- Recheck
Like reading reviews of movies and restaurants is universal, so should it be with party halls. Dig deep and look for couples who have previously utilised the shortlisted locations. Ask for their feedback – both positive and negative. It will help recheck the impression gained by talking to the venue employees. Some points to raise with vendors and other couples are:
- Is there anyone with whom it is challenging to work?
- Any spatial shortcomings about which one should know?
- How’s the food?
- Religious
Couples who select a religious ceremony need to consider a venue that fits the requirements of it. They must also find out if the Father, Pandit, etc. will be available to come to the site on the date and time of the wedding. If there are unusual aspects that necessitate consideration for the religious ceremonies, be sure to clear them beforehand with the venue.