How Do You Choose a Wedding Venue?

Once you’ve decided to marry, the real work begins.  Of course, your upcoming nuptials will need to happen somewhere, but how do you choose where?  Deciding where to marry is where the fun begins.  Have you discussed what your dream wedding looks like with your soon-to-be spouse? 

When looking for wedding venues around Lafayette, Louisiana, nothing is out of bounds. Your nuptials can happen in the backyard at your parents’ home, in a cathedral or house of worship, standing in front of a judge at the courthouse, or in a grand wedding venue suited to your taste and budget.

Deciding where to hold your wedding is probably the most essential and defining decision you and your bride or groom will make; every decision after will define the wedding process.  If you have not gotten this far, don’t worry, we’ve put together a few steps below to help get you on your way to happily ever after.  

Choose the City
If you have already decided the city you want to marry in, you skip this part; but if you have not, this is the next big step.  Unless you and your prospective met in the same hometown and are not planning a destination wedding, some guests will likely need to travel to attend your wedding. 

Make a list of the cities you are considering for the wedding, assign a page for each town, and then write the names of all out-of-town guests, those who must travel to attend, on each page accordingly. You may find that one or more cities on your list place too significant a burden on those you would like at your wedding.  This step could help narrow down the city you choose to marry in.

If the number of guests at your ceremony is paramount, choosing a city where the bulk of your guest list lives will likely decide your location. 

If, however, family is most important, consider a city closest to the most important guests.  Chances are, some on your list will need to travel to your wedding, and their expenses will likely include hotel rooms, airfare, gas if the distance is drivable, and meals, so take that into account when deciding on a city.  

When Choosing Your Wedding Venue Work Backwards
More than any other aspect, your wedding venue sets the tone for the ceremony you will have.  Choosing a venue usually requires you and your intended decide on the ceremony style you want; consider the feel, the look, and the size before looking for a venue or setting a date.  Most women have been considering their wedding day well before the prospective groom came into the picture, and the groom may have had a thought or two about what his nuptials would look like. So now is a great time to discuss those ideas without thinking about practicalities.  Make a list of what is important to each of you and the non-negotiable things. You will be surprised at how easily the venue decision makes itself.  

Churches and popular venues usually book out several months and even a year or better in advance. So, unless you both are up for a long engagement, some venues will naturally eliminate themselves.  You will make modifications based on the priorities you hold close, i.e., a church or beach wedding.  Knowing you want a particular venue can influence your wedding date.  Learning that your combined guest list is 250 people deep means you need to choose a location that can accommodate that number.  Remember that compromise is essential; getting your way during planning can have consequences on the wedding day.  Making sure you both agree on important details will help avoid stress and emotional meltdowns at the ceremony.  

Consider the Costs 
Virtually every venue has an upfront rental cost, and from the base cost, you can decide on the extra details.  Remember, everything has a price.  For example, an outdoor venue may require audio equipment, seating, and tents in the event of bad weather.  A country wedding at an exclusive farmhouse may mean you need to shuttle your 250 guests to the venue.  Not all costs are literal, consider the comfort of yourself and guests if your desired remote venue doesn’t have bathroom capacity, and you need to reserve port-a-lets to accommodate your numbers.  

In summary, planning the perfect wedding day starts with finding the ideal wedding venue.  Booking the ideal venue begins with knowing what your perfect day looks and feels like.  Discussing the ceremony with your fiancée, and others involved is a great way to hash out the right wedding venue while providing an immeasurable learning opportunity in prioritizing and compromising.

If you your ideal wedding includes European ambiance, chandeliers, and one-of-a-kind elegance, be sure to add Le Pavillon to you must see wedding venue and reception halls in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

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How do you choose a wedding venue, wedding venues in Lafayette La, reception halls in Lafayette La