You’re engaged! Now what? We recommend starting with your venue, and here’s why! In some cities, venues start to fill their books up to a year or more in advance. Many couples even have to re-think their desired wedding date to get the venue they’re wanting. So, in order to help make your venue search process as easy as possible, we’ve put together an ultimate guide with answers from how to find venues in your desired area, what questions to ask, and even what to wear to the tour!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where do I even begin? Start with the vision for your day. Do you want an industrial feel? Lots of greenery? Outdoors or indoors? How many guests are you inviting? By mapping out the overall venue of your day, you will have a better idea for where to start with your venue planning.
How do I find venues in my area or destination? A Google search never hurt! We also encourage you to think outside the box. Having an intimate wedding? Maybe an Airbnb or rental warehouse will suffice? Instagram can also be a powerful search tool — simply type in the hashtags box (example: #AustinWeddingVenue). Or you can head over to Junebug’s list of amazing vendors and see if there’s a venue in your city. Pro tip: Once you’ve narrowed down your venue search, type it into our search bar to see if you can find some inspiration from other weddings we’ve featured at your venue!
How many venues should I tour before selecting THE ONE? We’re firm believers in trusting your intuition — just like you did when you found your person! If a venue checks all the important boxes and gives you those warm, fuzzy feels, it’s probably the one for you.
CREATIVE VENUE IDEAS
Airbnb — If you’re having an intimate wedding, an Airbnb can be a unique, fun venue idea that also allows some guests to stay on property with you! Do make sure that the host is aware of your intentions for their property — some home owners would prefer their space not be used for events, and we get that. We also recommend considering an Airbnb for your “getting ready space” even if you do choose a more traditional venue.
State Park — For the adventurous! Want that outdoorsy vibe but not sure how to get it? Consider a State Park. There’s quite a few who have affordable rental policies for weddings and events. Reminder: Please respect your local state parks and wildlife.
Backyard — Sometimes the most underestimated of all the venue ideas. We love a good backyard wedding! The pro here is that there are likely no venue fees to using a friend or family member’s backyard, so you have more funds to go big on rentals and decor.
Restaurant — Another idea for those of you planning a more intimate affair: Your favorite restaurant. If the most important thing to you is gathering with your loved ones for a meal and good conversation, a restaurant may be the venue for you! Check with your favorite spots around town to see if they have a back room you can rent out — bonus if there’s pretty a patio for the reception!
WHAT TO WEAR / BRING
When it comes to wedding planning, every event can be an occasion to dress up! Plus, if you end up finding your dream venue you might want to snap a photo with your boo. Wondering what to wear to your wedding venue tour? Aside from the fun outfit ideas below, we also suggest bringing a pair of shoes similar to what you’ll be wearing on the day-of to make sure you can easily walk around the venue in them.
Here are a few other things to bring with you:
- Wedding binder (if you have one!). If you don’t have one of these, we suggest bringing a folder to keep any paper materials organized.
- Your ultimate wedding venue checklist.
- A fully-charged cell phone. You’ll want photos of the space!