Planning guide
How to choose a wedding venue
Your venue sets the date, capacity, catering rules, and photo backdrop. Most couples tour venues within the first month of engagement — here's a practical order that avoids booking the wrong space.
- Before tours
Set budget range & guest count (even rough)
Venues price by headcount and season.
- Week 2–4
Shortlist 3–5 venues; book tours on the same day type (Sat PM)
Lighting and noise differ by time of day.
- After tours
Compare all-in cost: rental, catering minimum, bar, coordinator
Ask what's included vs. outside vendors.
- Ready to book
Sign contract; pay deposit; block date on save-the-dates list
Popular Saturdays go 12–18 months out.
What to ask on every venue tour
Capacity at your guest count, rain backup plan, vendor restrictions (DJ, outside catering), ceremony + reception on-site or split, parking and accessibility, and latest allowed end time. If photos matter, ask where golden-hour portraits happen on property.
FAQ
- How far in advance should we book a wedding venue?
- Peak season (May–October Saturdays): 12–18 months. Off-season or weekday weddings: 6–12 months may still work.
- Venue first or photographer first?
- Venue first — it locks your date and often your ceremony time. Then book photographer and caterer for that date.
- How many venues should we tour?
- Three to five is enough. More than that leads to decision fatigue without clearer answers.
Track all milestones on our full planning checklist & timeline.