Booking your wedding venue is probably the most important decision of the entire wedding planning process.  Did you know that the ceremony and reception venues and their associated costs for site fees, food & beverage will consume at least 50% of your total budget?  Finding the perfect location can easily take weeks or months and, understandably, can be one of the most stressful decisions a couple makes.  Important factors like food quality and atmosphere need to suit the mood and theme of your wedding to determine if a venue will be "the one".


Choosing your ceremony location likely tops your wedding To Do list. While most couples having a religious ceremony will marry in a church, temple, synagogue or other religious site, couples electing to have a non-denominational or non-religious ceremony may learn that finding a "neutral" ceremony site can be a challenge.  First, think about what is important to you:  Is an outdoor venue your dream?  Garden or tent weddings can be stunning, but be prepared to discuss a rain plan!  Love an urban, creative setting?  Try searching out a great gallery space or loft.  Ideally, one of the first ceremony settings you should consider is the same venue you will use for your reception.  Not only does it limit travel time for wedding party and guests to get from A to B, but you can easily re-use your ceremony decor for the dinner reception to follow.

When considering a venue to host your wedding reception, keep these tips in mind:

Booking an unlicensed venue

Booking a venue that does not have a permanent liquor license can be a huge cost-saver.  If you obtain your own Special Occasion Permit from your province/state's liquor authority, you are able to purchase and supply your own alcohol rather than paying the inflated prices that a venue charges (usually 3 times markup on the retail cost). Typically, you can also return any unopened bottles for a refund, which you aren't normally able to do with alcohol not purchased using a permit.

Restaurant venues

If your guest count allows, consider hosting your wedding at a restaurant.  Restaurants are ideal if they provide you with value-added extras that you might otherwise have to rent or supply yourself. Case in point - lounge furniture, tables and chairs, upgraded glassware, plate ware, and linens.


Use the natural beauty of the outdoors

If you want an outdoor wedding, selecting a garden site can save you thousands in decor costs.  Why buy flowers when you can use what nature provides?

Confirm exclusivity! 

Quite often a venue will have more than one reception space. If being the only bride on-site is important, check with your venue coordinator to confirm that your function will be the only one held on property.


Venue Coordinator vs. Wedding Coordinator?

Often, a bride will ask me "why do I need a wedding coordinator if I have a venue coordinator"?  The reality is that a venue coordinator is ONLY concerned with the elements of your wedding that pertain to the venue itself.   DJ didn't show up?   Your wedding party's limo broke down on the highway and the ceremony starts in 10 minutes?  Your venue coordinator is really not going to be that helpful.  Hiring an independent wedding coordinator will make the entire day as smooth and stress-free as possible.  Venue coordinators are wonderful at what they do, but investing in a good wedding coordinator will save you time, money and stress across all elements of your wedding planning.

by Cynthia Martyn
images courtesy of Laura Jane Weddings and Cynthia Martyn Events