How to Find a Wedding Venue

Deciding on a wedding venue is one of the first things couples have to do when they start planning their day! This is a huge part of the day you get married, so you’ll need to make sure your spot feels right to you, can accommodate all of your guests, and that you’ll be stoked to begin your marriage there. This guide will tell you how to find a wedding venue, with tips for making sure yours is perfect for the two of you! 

Before You Find a Wedding Venue…

There are a few things that you should do before you actually start looking for the perfect wedding venue, and these will make your search easier.

Make a Guest List

Venues come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to know how many guests you plan to have before you start looking. Make a guest list, or at least a rough estimate of how many people you expect to be there. This way, you won’t be looking at wedding venues that are too small, or ones that have more space than you’ll need.

Choose a Location

There are millions of wedding venues around the world (probably), so part of narrowing it down is figuring out where you want to get married. Do you want to tie the knot close to home, or are you hoping for a destination wedding? It’s good to have a general idea of where you want your wedding venue to be, so that you can start looking!

Think About Wedding Dates

You don’t have to have a date set in stone yet, and actually, keeping your options open will help you find a wedding venue, but having an idea of when you’d like your wedding to be can help you find wedding venues. You need to make sure that the venue is available on the date you choose, or that there is a date that works for everyone!

Make a Budget

Budgeting is important for every part of planning a wedding, and the venue is usually the biggest investment that couples make. So, before you fall in love with a venue that’s way over budget, talk with your partner about how much you want to spend on this part of the day. It’s a good idea to do a little research beforehand, so that you know what’s a realistic price in your area.

Do You Want a Dog Friendly Wedding Venue?

Along with two legged guests, think about whether you’ll have any four legged ones! Your pup is a part of the family, so if you can’t imagine the day without your furry best friend, it’s definitely possible to include your dog in your wedding. You’ll need to decide on this before you start your search, so that you can make sure the venue you choose allows dogs!

What Kind of Wedding Venue are You Looking For?

There are so many different types of wedding venues – barns, vineyards, hotels, boats, beaches, golf courses…. Each one has a different look and a different vibe that the setting will give your wedding day, so before you figure out how to find a wedding venue, it can be helpful to figure out what kind of wedding venue you’re looking for. It’s totally fine to have a few different options in mind, but if there’s one that stands out, like you really want to get married somewhere with a rustic barn, that’s a great thing to know! Start big – do you want an outdoor ceremony or an indoor one? Then, browse through Pinterest and Instagram and see which wedding venues catch your eye.

How to Find a Wedding Venue

Now, once you’re ready to actually begin the search, here are some tips for how to find a wedding venue!

Wedding Directories

One of the easiest ways to filter your search and get specific about which wedding venues you want to see is by searching a wedding directory like The Knot or WeddingWire. These websites allow you to look for different types of wedding venues, and have other filters like price, location, availability, capacity, and more! This makes your search easy, and gives you a list of options that perfectly match what you’re looking for.  

Blog Posts

If you’re looking for wedding venues in a certain area, many photographers and other wedding vendors have helpful guides that list a few options. For example, check out this post with 5 wedding venues in Rochester, NY, and this one with wedding venues in Livingston County!

Friends and Word of Mouth

If you have a friend or someone you know who’s gotten married recently, and you loved their wedding venue or saw it in their photos, this can be a good way to get recommendations! Ask them about their experience with the venue, whether they liked it, and whether they’d recommend it to other people. 

Social Media

Pinterest and Instagram especially are great resources for wedding planning inspiration. You can look through photos that show you different wedding venues, which can help you find one that’s right for you! 

When You Find a Wedding Venue

When you find a wedding venue, or a few (it’s good to keep your options open!), that you like, here are the next steps.

Email Them

The first thing you need to do is get in touch! Send the venue an email to find out if they’re available, get information about their pricing, and see if it’s a good fit. Talking to the coordinator will allow you to ask questions and make sure you can see yourselves tying the knot here.

Take a Tour

If possible, it’s great to see the wedding venue in person. This can give you a much better idea of whether you want to get married there than seeing it in photos, so if you’re in the area, schedule a tour or go to an open house! If going there in person isn’t an option, see if the venue offers virtual tours.

Book the Venue!

Once you find a wedding venue that’s perfect for you, it’s time to make the booking! You’ll have a contract to sign and a deposit to pay, and after that, you’re set for your wedding day.

Find a Wedding Photographer

The next step after you’ve found the perfect wedding venue is to find a photographer to document the day! You deserve to make these moments last forever, so as a wedding photographer, I’ll be there dancing with you, and capturing all of the memories and all of the feelings that make the day you marry your best friend so incredible. If you’re ready to get started, contact me!