Spring is just around the corner, and the time is now for getting those Spring wedding details hammered out.
The possibilities for venues opens up with the easing of cold, wet weather, and that means brides have to decide between an outdoor or an indoor event. With all of the amazing outdoor locations, that decision won't be easy.
So, what's a bride to do? Maybe we can help.
First and most important, always have a secondary location.
When booking locations, look for venues that have an option to offer should the weather not be cooperative on your wedding day. Most venues have a "rain location" and will hold it for a deposit that may or may not be refundable. In the event of rain, or wind, or what have you, being able to move the event indoors at the last minute can be well worth the deposit when you consider the alternative.
I've seen brides in a state of panic when their plans were entirely centered on an outdoor venue and they did not want to pay for a rain location, and then their wedding day brought heavy rain all day long. There were no locations available at the last minute, so we moved the reception into a local church hall, but, since the decor was nearly entirely dependent on the trees and flowers of the outdoor venue, we had to scramble to come up with a whole new look to her event. She was happy with the outcome, but, her dream wedding was not possible. Had she put a deposit on a location that offered that green look and flowery feel, perhaps a conservatory at a local nursery, or a resort ballroom that overlooked the mountain valleys, she would have been able to just relax and still realize her vision.
So, always, always plan for bad weather, and hope for the best.
The possibilities for venues opens up with the easing of cold, wet weather, and that means brides have to decide between an outdoor or an indoor event. With all of the amazing outdoor locations, that decision won't be easy.
So, what's a bride to do? Maybe we can help.
First and most important, always have a secondary location.
When booking locations, look for venues that have an option to offer should the weather not be cooperative on your wedding day. Most venues have a "rain location" and will hold it for a deposit that may or may not be refundable. In the event of rain, or wind, or what have you, being able to move the event indoors at the last minute can be well worth the deposit when you consider the alternative.
I've seen brides in a state of panic when their plans were entirely centered on an outdoor venue and they did not want to pay for a rain location, and then their wedding day brought heavy rain all day long. There were no locations available at the last minute, so we moved the reception into a local church hall, but, since the decor was nearly entirely dependent on the trees and flowers of the outdoor venue, we had to scramble to come up with a whole new look to her event. She was happy with the outcome, but, her dream wedding was not possible. Had she put a deposit on a location that offered that green look and flowery feel, perhaps a conservatory at a local nursery, or a resort ballroom that overlooked the mountain valleys, she would have been able to just relax and still realize her vision.
So, always, always plan for bad weather, and hope for the best.
Next, always visit the site of your event before you book it.
This may seem obvious, but, many a bride has booked an outdoor venue from pictures or videos, or visited on a day or time that is not reflective of their wedding day and time.
If you are booking a venue for a sunset reception, but you visit during the day, you won't know if the sunset actually glares off the large windows of the building on the property, making pictures a challenge, and causing your guests to have to squint to watch your ceremony. Or if the beautiful brookside venue has a mosquito problem at night, or a bee problem during the day . If the nearby train tracks have noisy trains going by right at the time you will be saying your I do's.
So, always visit at the time of day, and day of the week that you will be using the facility. Walk around to where you will be standing for your vows to get a feel for how the light affects both you and the groom, and then get a guest's perspective by moving around the area where they will be seated. Can they see you, can they hear you clearly? Also, check for hazards like broken sidewalks, or uneven stairs. These things can't always be fixed, but, you will want to know about it ahead of time before you go tumbling down in your white gown.
And while you're at it, check out the rain location for the same reasons.
This may seem obvious, but, many a bride has booked an outdoor venue from pictures or videos, or visited on a day or time that is not reflective of their wedding day and time.
If you are booking a venue for a sunset reception, but you visit during the day, you won't know if the sunset actually glares off the large windows of the building on the property, making pictures a challenge, and causing your guests to have to squint to watch your ceremony. Or if the beautiful brookside venue has a mosquito problem at night, or a bee problem during the day . If the nearby train tracks have noisy trains going by right at the time you will be saying your I do's.
So, always visit at the time of day, and day of the week that you will be using the facility. Walk around to where you will be standing for your vows to get a feel for how the light affects both you and the groom, and then get a guest's perspective by moving around the area where they will be seated. Can they see you, can they hear you clearly? Also, check for hazards like broken sidewalks, or uneven stairs. These things can't always be fixed, but, you will want to know about it ahead of time before you go tumbling down in your white gown.
And while you're at it, check out the rain location for the same reasons.
Check for parking and comfort for your guests.
Nothing will be more appreciated by your guests than easy parking and a comfortable location.
If your guests are having to walk a distance from where they parked, or they have to pay for parking, you should consider valet parking, or notify your guests ahead of time so they can consider sensible footwear and money for meter.
When it comes to comfort, the first and foremost at an outdoor venue would be seating, followed very closely by bathroom facilities on site.
If seating is provided by the venue, you should check it when you visit the site to see how comfortable the chairs are and consider whether or not you want to provide padding or have chairs brought in that are more comfortable. Most venues have good chairs, but, you just never know until you inspect them yourself.
Bathroom facilities can range from an on site indoor bathroom all the way to blue porta potties. It's entirely up to the bride whether or not she wants to provide them if they are not available, but, your guests really should not be expected to do without them. There are nicer options to porta potties, but, they are not always available in every area, and they are more expensive to rent. Still, it's an option that you will want to consider.
Nothing will be more appreciated by your guests than easy parking and a comfortable location.
If your guests are having to walk a distance from where they parked, or they have to pay for parking, you should consider valet parking, or notify your guests ahead of time so they can consider sensible footwear and money for meter.
When it comes to comfort, the first and foremost at an outdoor venue would be seating, followed very closely by bathroom facilities on site.
If seating is provided by the venue, you should check it when you visit the site to see how comfortable the chairs are and consider whether or not you want to provide padding or have chairs brought in that are more comfortable. Most venues have good chairs, but, you just never know until you inspect them yourself.
Bathroom facilities can range from an on site indoor bathroom all the way to blue porta potties. It's entirely up to the bride whether or not she wants to provide them if they are not available, but, your guests really should not be expected to do without them. There are nicer options to porta potties, but, they are not always available in every area, and they are more expensive to rent. Still, it's an option that you will want to consider.
Outside Vendors. They have special needs that aren't always easy or free to provide for. For instance, a caterer needs access to electricity, and a place to set up their catering equipment that doesn't impede traffic or pedestrian flow and does not pose any safety hazards. Some may need access to potable water. You won't know what their needs are until you ask them, and by then, you may have already booked a venue that does not offer those types of access.
So, before you plunk down any money, ask your vendors what they will need on site, and then check with the venue coordinator regarding those needs. If the venue doesn't provide what you need, many will allow you to pay to bring in generators, and other portable facilities to provide for your vendors, but, sometimes there will be a fee for that, and the additional equipment will cost you more. Some vendors will have their own extra equipment, but, again, there may be an additional fee.
So, before you plunk down any money, ask your vendors what they will need on site, and then check with the venue coordinator regarding those needs. If the venue doesn't provide what you need, many will allow you to pay to bring in generators, and other portable facilities to provide for your vendors, but, sometimes there will be a fee for that, and the additional equipment will cost you more. Some vendors will have their own extra equipment, but, again, there may be an additional fee.
There are always ways to make things happen when you are committed to a vision, but, you should know what you're getting into and if your budget can handle the reality.
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