Wedding planning guide
Venues
The venue is usually the first major decision, and often the one that shapes everything else — your date, guest capacity, design direction, and sometimes even which other vendors you're allowed to use. Getting this one right early makes the rest of planning easier.
What to budget
Venue pricing varies enormously based on location, season, and day of the week. A few general patterns:
- Rental fees vary widely by location, season, and day of the week — Saturdays in peak season are usually the most expensive.
- Some venues include tables, chairs, and basic setup in the rental fee, while others charge those as separate rentals.
- All-inclusive venues (bundling catering, bar, and sometimes other vendors) can simplify planning but may limit your ability to bring in outside vendors.
- Ask about required vendor lists — some venues require using their preferred (or exclusive) caterer, bar, or planner.
Questions to ask a venues
- ?What exactly is included in the rental fee — tables, chairs, setup/breakdown, a day-of coordinator?
- ?Do we have to use specific vendors (caterer, bar, planner), or can we bring in our own?
- ?What's the backup plan for weather if part of our event is outdoors?
- ?How many hours does the rental include, and what happens if we need more time?
- ?What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Keep it all on the checklist
Once your venue is booked, add it to your wedding checklist — it's usually the first major decision, and everything else builds around it.
Start your free checklistFrequently asked questions
Should we book our venue before other vendors?
Generally yes — the venue sets your date and guest capacity, and sometimes dictates which other vendors you're required (or restricted) to use, so it's the natural first booking.
What's the difference between an all-inclusive venue and a blank-slate venue?
An all-inclusive venue bundles services like catering, bar, and rentals into one package, which simplifies planning but limits flexibility. A blank-slate venue is just the space — you bring in every other vendor yourself, which takes more coordination but gives you full control.
How far in advance should we book our venue?
Popular venues, especially for peak-season Saturdays, can book 12-18 months or more in advance. Start touring venues as soon as you have a rough date range and guest count.
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