The wedding venue is ultimately one of the most important features of your wedding day. When it comes to planning a wedding, finding a venue must surely be one of the most extensive tasks as it will set the theme for your entire wedding.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that your wedding theme and venue always go hand in hand. To use a rustic venue with an ultra modern theme will not work, and vice versa.
So, what do you need to know before making a list of potential venues you'd like to view? How would you need to go about this process and what questions would you need to ask? Planning your wedding has never been easier with articles like these!
Wedding planning is all in the lists! Do not attempt to plan your wedding without a dedicated notebook and file, because I promise you that lists, notes and spreadsheets are the secrets that wedding planners do not want you to unravel.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Take the time out to sit down with your partner and think of the following factors:
Your wedding date
By now, you surely have decided on one or two possible dates for your wedding. The season of your wedding will be a strong deciding factor when it comes to your venue.
Summer:
Photographer: Summerheart Photography
Outdoor venues are perfect for Summer weddings as it is guaranteed to be warm weather. The chances of windy, rainy days are few, although not completely impossible. The options of outdoor wedding venues are endless. From beach weddings to forest weddings, country side farms to mountain elopements - the world is your oyster! With each one of these type of venues there will be specific things to keep in mind as well, so subscribe to my website to read my future blog posts relating to that.
It is important to note though, that wedding venues are more costly during Summer months. If you are on a tight budget, I would suggest choosing an alternative Winter date in case you find your perfect venue and need to bring down the cost.
Spring:
Photography: Cheryl McEwan Photography
Spring is one of the most popular seasons for getting married as couples romanticize the idea of beautiful blooms, colourful landscapes and warm weather with butterflies. However, if you have your heart set on Spring, you need to be open to changes as your day approaches. Spring (Especially here in South Africa) can be either warm and sunny, or windy and rainy - and you never know what you'll get in advance.
It is important to keep an open mind when envisioning your big day. Be open to having to use a stretch tent in the end, or moving the ceremony indoors. By keeping an open mind and accepting way in advance that you are not in control of the weather is something you will be grateful for in the end, and let's face it - wedding planning is supposed to be FUN, there is no use in stressing over things you cannot change.
Spring falls in wedding season mostly and therefore you need to keep your budget in mind. You need to add an extra 'what if' budget in case you need to hire a stretch tent in the week leading up to your day if this is not included in the venue hire.
Autumn:
Photographer: Milk and Honey Photography
As with Spring, Autumn brings it's own challenges and advantages. With beuatiful shades of Browns, Reds and Orange, Autumn brings a whole new level of beauty.
Autumn is my personal favourite season for weddings as I got married in Autumn. The reason for this is that it's not too hot and not too cold, not too windy yet, but not rainy either.
Did it rain and storm on my wedding day? YES
Did this make the day any less special? NOT AT ALL!
I will also be sharing more on this in another blog post - so keep reading!
Another advantage of Autumn weddings is that at some venues it might already fall under the Winter fees - which is a bonus if you need to set some money aside for changes in weather or any other unforseen expenses.
Winter:
Photographer: Summerheart Photography
Winter weddings are REALLY making a comeback. With the pandemic, ever-increased cost of living and fuel prices, society is starting to realise that maybe having a wedding in Winter really isn't all that bad - AND I AM HERE FOR IT!
Winter weddings are more cost-effective and can be so romantic! With the right theme, décor and suppliers you can turn your winter wedding into the most romantic setting your guests will ever have seen.
Obviously it will have to be a venue that is set up for indoor ceremonies, indoor receptions and indoor/covered cocktail areas. If you're getting married in Winter, please do go through all of the photos on the venues website to make sure that this is suitable before making an appointment for viewing.
Your Budget
As much as it is sugarcoated, in the end the most determining factor in finding your venue is your budget. How sad or exciting that might seem at this time will depend on your expectations vs. your financial ability.
It is important to remember from the get-go that venues ARE expensive. And rightfully so, because the owners need to maintain that beautiful venue and protect it for many years to come. A lot goes into running a venue and even though the venue fees might look exorbitant at face value, I can promise you that it is justifyable.
Determine your minimum and maximum budget for the venue, and make a list of what you'd like to be included in the hiring fee. This might include:
- Catering
- Furniture
- Pre-Drinks
- Decor
- Coordination
- Staff
- Bar services
When thinking of your budget, keep in mind that there will always be costs in addition to the venue hire like:
- Breakage deposit
- Kitchen fee
- Bar tab or pre-drinks deposit
- Cleaning fee
- Corkage fee
Now that you've considered all the boring things, it's time for the fun part - the aesthetic!
Aesthetic of the venue:
There are so many different feels and aesthetics to the venues in South Africa. As mentioned earlier in this article, you have to use a venue that represent the theme and feel of your wedding. You can tell alot about a couple's personalities by their wedding venue. I've got you covered! Here is a list of different styles that will help you eliminate. From there on you can search for your perfect venue with a specific aim and make an informed decision.
- Industrial
- Luxurious
- Glass House
- Rustic
- Forest
- Beach
- Weekend Destination
- Guesthouse
- Hotel
- Brunch Restaurants
- Garden
- Wine Farm / Cellar
Once you have decided on the type of venue you'd like, it's time to start your research. Visit their websites, email them for packages and portfolios. Check their reviews and ask for recommendations from other brides on Facebook.
Go through all the information carefully and then contact your top 3 venues to set up a viewing appointment.
Wondering what to ask at the appointment so you don't miss a thing? Just come back here for my next blog post and I'll guide you through that too!
I will also be featuring venues that fit into various of the above categories, so make sure to subscribe to receive these helpful articles and features in your email. I promise not to spam!
Happy Planning!
