3 Tips for Choosing Your Dream Wedding Venue

On average, 2.4 million weddings take place in the United States annually, and 30% of those brides spent seven to 12 months planning their special day. Here are three helpful tips from Brides Magazine for selecting your dream wedding venue.

1. Book Early.

Ideally, you should book the wedding and reception venues as soon as possible after your engagement and at least nine to 12 months before your wedding date. This is especially true if you have your heart set on an extremely popular venue in your area.

2. Consider Your Budget and Guest List.

Start by breaking down your total budget into categories. Then allow more funds for wedding vendors that are more important to you. If you’re unsure about what the going rate is for caterers, photographers, and other vendors in your area, discuss this with a local wedding planner who will be able to give you an accurate idea of what to expect. Be sure to take into consideration what each venue includes, as that will affect your budget as well.


As of 2014, average couples invited 136 people to attend their wedding, and the size of your wedding will also impact the decision you make about wedding venues. It’s also important to remember that a room’s maximum capacity is not necessarily the same as the number of guests that the room can comfortably accommodate. Be sure to discuss this with the venue, and ask about staying compliant with fire codes as well.

3. Talk to a Wedding Planner.

Once you have a vision of your dream wedding venue in mind, start talking to different wedding planners and touring the venues.


Having your wedding and reception in one location is also very convenient for your guests. If you’re planning a destination wedding or are expecting a number of guests from out of town, having the venue nearby or inside a hotel is ideal. For this reason, Renaissance suggests considering a venue that can handle all aspects of your wedding and reception.


Planning the wedding that you’ve always dreamed of is exciting, and finding the perfect wedding venue is a crucial part of that. Following these tips will get you on the right track for making your special day exactly the way the two of you want it to be.