If all looks good and the venue is the right size, walk through the location with your event planner and a venue liaison to go over the logistics. Be sure to ask about outlets, restroom accessibility, where the food would go, and if the space can accommodate everything you want. (Will you have room for the photo booth you had your heart set on if the dance floor is spacious enough to fit everyone?) Outdoor whimsical weddings are fantastic, but don’t forget to arrange for an indoor option if the weather threatens to douse your vows. Also, will your guests find plenty of convenient parking or will you have to arrange shuttles? How will this impact your budget? Investigating these details before you book may seem nit-picky, but you don’t want your guests tripping over bundled extension cords all evening because the DJ had to set up across the room from the only outlets.
Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville If you have a hunch that a certain stone barn could negotiate elegance and rustic charm just the way you’d like, contact the site managers and go have a look! While it’s not uncommon to have themes and colors in mind before choosing a ceremony and reception location, your venue will dictate many of the choices that complete your planning, and should therefore blend with your motif and make yourvision clear to your guests. For example, are you going for a pastel spring floral mode? Then the rich heavy furnishings and formidable architecture of a Gothic manor probably won’t make sense for your wedding no matter what you do to the space or how striking you think it is. While many venues can be dramatically transformed, building structure and location are permanent. That’s actually great news! Use what you’re bringing into the space to enhance views, architecture, and landscaping, and keep in mind that many venues already have a wow-factor before you get there emphasize what makes the space extraordinary on its own.
La Panetiere, Rye
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Before you settle on a venue, find out if you must book with their endorsed vendors or if you can move forward independently. Some venues will allow catering only from their facility, and in that case, you’d better try your food options before signing up for the extraordinary space! When inquiring about any associated vendors, ask about overtime charges for the location and services, payment options, exactly what services come with the space, and any additional fees that can accrue on your wedding day (and for which you’ll return from your honeymoon to find a bill). Be creative and have fun when picking a venue- hotel ballrooms can be beautiful and have lots of conveniences, but don’t forget to look into museums, local organic farms, quirky inns, butterfly gardens, and restored historical sites as well. As long as you combine an imagination for potential with a pragmatic concern for both you and your guests’ comfort, you can find a venue that exceeds your wedding day fantasies and delivers a perfectly magnificent celebration!