Planning a wedding is one of the most special things you can do. You are planning one of the biggest days of your life that you will always remember.
Sure, it can be extremely stressful, since there is a lot to consider. But as long as you plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to make decisions, it can be quite a fun process.
One of the most important aspects of planning a wedding is selecting a venue. Typically you’ll select a venue before choosing a wedding date.
Choosing a California wedding venue can be overwhelming. There are many incredible options around the state. But that means that no matter what, you’ll be able to have a beautiful wedding.
Wondering how to choose a wedding venue? Want to know how to lock in the best California wedding venue for your special day? Keep reading to find out.
Plan Ahead
Wedding venues are booked far advance. Especially in California, the most populous state in the country.
Sure, there are plenty of venues to go around. But keep in mind, everyone wants to book a wedding on the same day of the week; Saturday.
If you are flexible, having a wedding on a Friday or Sunday will give you a better chance of booking a venue. But it’s also more likely that some guests won’t be able to attend.
Certain months are also more popular than others. 35% of weddings take place in the fall, with the most occurring in October and September.
Fall offers beautiful weather and autumn colors in many parts of the country. Summer is extremely popular as well, with June and August also booked up in advance. Since July is often the hottest month, you may need to consider an indoor wedding.
If you want a popular venue during the fall or summer, book as far as ahead as possible.
Plan Your Guest List
One of the biggest tasks regarding your wedding is inviting people. More importantly, choosing who to invite.
It takes a lot of time. There are 2 people who want to invite all of their family and friends. On top of that, the parents of the couple often want to add their own guests.
Make sure you choose a large enough venue. Too many people crammed into a small location will be uncomfortable.
Keep parking in mind too. Make sure the lot is big enough for everyone you plan to invite. If not, is there an offsite lot and a shuttle available?
Decide on a Budget First
You’ll want to decide on a venue budget before you start touring facilities. There’s a good chance that taking a tour will cause emotional attachment to a certain venue.
The problem is that you’ll be desperate to book that venue, even if it’s far outside your budget. You’ll be tempted to take money from other wedding budgets, such as catering or dresses.
Whether you or your family is going to pay this expense, know your budget before you start inquiring.
Choose A California Wedding Venue For You
Weddings are interesting. It’s your special day, but so much of our planning concerns other people.
Your wedding is special because of the people who get to experience it with you. So you rent a space large enough to accommodate them, buy food and drinks, and provide entertainment.
But when it comes down to it, this day is about you. So don’t choose a venue that other people will think is special. They might remember this day for a few weeks, but it wasn’t their wedding so they will eventually forget about it.
It’s your big day. You’re going to remember it forever. Choose a venue that means something to you. If you long to be outside, overlooking rolling hills and vineyards, choose a wine country wedding venue.
If you want to say, “I do,” with sand between your toes, you owe it to yourself to book a beach wedding.
Destination Wedding or Local
It’s tempting to look at wedding venues across the state. But if you live in Southern California, it’s best to choose a local Southern California wedding venue.
Yes, your wedding is for you. But if you want your friends and family to attend, it has to be convenient. Most people aren’t looking to drive more than an hour or 2 to attend a wedding.
If you do want to choose a destination wedding, whether it involves flying to the Caribbean or driving a few hours north, understand that it will be a much smaller wedding. Only your closest friends and family members are likely to attend.
Ask the Right Questions
When you call or visit a potential venue, it helps to have questions ready beforehand. You’ll want to know what is included in the price to rent their space.
How many bathrooms do they have? Is there staff on hand to set up and clean the venue? How early can you arrive to decorate? The day before, or the day of?
Many venues are poorly run and require you to take care of everything. These venues expect you to provide drinking water, tables and chairs, and many other things.
But a quality wedding venue in California will make the process easy for you. Have interview questions ready to weed out venues that seem cheap, but will cost more in the long run after paying for everything else separately.
Deciding Between the Top California Wedding Venues
Once you’ve done your research and narrowed down your venue options, it can still be tough to choose a California wedding venue. Especially today, where there are so many amazing places available to rent for your special day.
When it comes down to it, you need to walk through multiple locations to get a feel for it. Imagine which location will provide the best memories for decades. And go with your heart.
Remember, this is your day. Your heart and your memories are on the line.
Looking for additional wedding planning tips? Be sure to check out more on our blog today.
