This is the year you get married! What an exciting time! But it’s also time to start your wedding preparations in earnest. You’re going to get super busy with all the wedding planning decisions, and shopping. One of the major decisions for your big day is the selection of your wedding venue. And since this decision is bound to have an impact on many other aspects of your wedding, the sooner you get to it, the better. Once you lock down the perfect wedding venue, you’ll find you feel quite relieved. Check out our list of San Diego Wedding Venues.
Choosing the right venue is important as it’s going to affect the vibe of your wedding celebrations and the experience of your guests in a major way. It is going to be the place where you’ll start a new chapter of your life. You need to choose wisely. Here are seven factors that you need to consider before choosing a wedding venue.
Venue Capacity
Start with at least a rough idea of your expected guest count. Check if the venue can accommodate that number of people comfortably. The venue shouldn’t be so big that it feels empty and cold. Neither should it be so small that it would get stuffy and uncomfortable when all the guests arrive. It should be just right so that the wedding has a warm and enjoyable atmosphere.
Wedding Date and Availability
Many couples book their favorite venues well in advance. If you are set on getting married on a particular date, then you’ll need to check if the venues on your shortlist are available for that date. On the other hand, if you love a specific venue, then it would help if you have a bit of flexibility regarding your wedding date.
Outdoor venues are more in demand in Spring when the temperature is usually pleasant and mild, and it’s frequently bright and sunny outside. Popular wedding dates would either be palindromic dates such as 4/2/24 and 4/22/24 (which means April is going to be busy this year) or any dates that fall in any of the long weekends. You’ll need to consider the seasonal availability of a venue and your wedding date before you set your heart on a venue. Check out ou tips for Winter Weddings in San Diego
Fireworks at Seaworld San Diego
Budget and Package
The price range of wedding venues in Southern California varies greatly depending on size and amenities. There are venues suitable for all types of budgets and preferences. Full-service wedding venues or all-inclusive wedding venues typically have a higher cost than the others. For such a venue, you’ll have to allocate around 40 to 50 percent of your budget. Check the total cost against your budget. You have the option of choosing a venue that does not include all the works, and then looking for lower-cost vendors outside. This is the average cost of a wedding in San Diego.
Make sure to hire a wedding planner for budget management
Existing Features
Book an appointment to view the prospective venues on your list in person. Although you can look at wedding photography online or take a virtual tour, you’ll understand better only when you visit the venue. See if the existing features of the venue suit your theme and your vision for your wedding. If it’s going to need a lot of decoration just to make it fit into your theme, you’ll be better off with another more suitable venue. Remember the extra decor is going to increase the total cost. Do check if the venue you like offers some flexibility in terms of decor, and whether you’re allowed to get an external decorator if required.
Transportation and Accessibility
The location of the wedding venue should be easily accessible. Look into the transportation options. The time and effort it takes to reach the venue will impact the experience of your guests. See if there is accommodation available nearby for the out-of-town guests. The venue should also have ample parking space. You don’t want your guests to miss significant parts of the celebration circling and looking for parking spots.
Limousine Transportation for your wedding
Restrictions
Look into the terms and conditions associated with the use of the venue. Some venues have music volume restrictions, while others may have strict end-time policies. You need to know these before you select a venue. It’s better to choose a venue that aligns with your requirements rather than booking one and then facing disappointment or committing unintentional violations on your special day.
Martin Johnson House in La Jolla can host your wedding until 10pm
Back-up plans
When you’re looking at prospective venues, ask about their backup plans in case of weather contingencies or other unforeseen circumstances. See if they have staff trained to handle such cases. It’s not only the outdoor venues that require backup plans. Indoor venues are also susceptible to disruptive issues such as power failures. Well-managed venues can help your celebrations continue despite any hitches and ensure that you remain stress-free on your special day.
Consider all these factors before you sign a contract. Prepare a list of questions that you need to ask the venue management, and only finalize a venue when you get satisfactory answers. Checking everything and being particular in the planning stages will prove fruitful later. With the right venue, your guests will have a comfortable experience and you will have beautiful memories of your wedding day.