Tips for Selecting a Wedding Venue
The size of a wedding isn’t determined by the size of a venue. Whether you’re getting married on a beach in Maui or in a huge convention center, the number of guests you invite is what matters. So, with that in mind, do you want a small, medium, or large wedding? If you’re not quite sure, these tips can help you decide.
Tip #1: Consider Costs First
While it may not be romantic, try and think of each and every guest as an expense. Because, when it comes down to it, that’s exactly what they are. The more guests you have, the more you can expect to spend on food, drinks, seat rentals, party favors, and more. If you have an unlimited budget, that’s not a problem, and you can invite anyone and everyone you want. If you’re on a budget, however, cost has to come into play. To put it simply, know how much you can afford to spend and approximately how much money each guest or “head” costs. From there, curate a guest list that’s within your means.
Tip #2: Think About What You Really Want
When you’re planning a wedding, guilt sometimes has a way of sneaking in. For example, you might feel bad if you don’t invite your childhood best friend to the big day . . . even if you haven’t spoken in years. However, your wedding day is not the time to worry about hurt feelings or bruised egos. Instead, it’s a time to be true to yourself and what you really want. So, if a small, intimate wedding is your heart’s desire or if there’s someone you really don’t want to see, go with your gut and do what is going to make you and your partner happy.
Tip #3: Choose Your Venue Early
As a final tip, try and choose your wedding venue before you make the guest list. After all, you don’t want to select some massive venue, only to end up with a teeny guest list. Conversely, you definitely don’t want a venue that’s too tiny to accommodate your guests and leaves everyone feeling cramped. If you decide on your attendees ahead of time, you can avoid these kinds of mishaps.
At the end of the day, whether your wedding is big or small, it can be wonderful. As long as the people who matter the most to you are in attendance, your day is sure to be all you dreamed of. But, with that said, a little planning and some careful thought can go a long way in creating an ideal and reasonable guest list.
