The place where you say your “I dos” is important. After all, this is the beginning of your new life together. And the venue you select for this occasion is important in will be the deciding point of whether you have a grand event or an intimate gathering. When you’re looking for a wedding venue, the process can be quite overwhelming. You have to think about a number of factors such as:
- How many people do you want to invite?
- Do you want an outdoor wedding or an indoor one?
- Do you want a very formal event or a casual one?
The Palace at Somerset Park[/caption]
These are questions that you and your partner need to answer. Once you’ve sorted through the essentials, you can start the wedding venue hunt.
Read on as we answer all the main questions people consider when they’re looking for a wedding venue as well as some top wedding locations in the New Jersey area.
Settle on the Ideal Area
Gone are the days when weddings were held in the same location as the one where the bride or the groom lived. Weddings have evolved over time, and have come to a point where the couple will look for wedding venues where:
- They share a good memory together,
- A place they like to travel to together, etc.
Many people even go for exotic destination weddings. When you’re selecting a venue, don’t look for cheaper wedding venues just because you want to save a little. Your wedding doesn’t happen every day, and your priority should be to find the best venue possible. If you want your friends and family members to be able to make it to the venue easily, consider the location to the venue- will you need to make arrangements for accommodation, and are they available at the venue?
Allot Your Budget
Yes, we just mentioned that you shouldn’t tighten your wallet when it comes to selecting your wedding venue, but at the same time, it’s important to plan carefully. The average cost of a wedding in New Jersey is around USD 40,000, which includes your venue, the catering, the décor, the entertainment, the clothes, and so on. This is by no means a small amount, and you need to spend wisely.
Talk to your partner about the budget you want to set for your wedding. It may just be that your budget is sufficient for a smaller event, and you’ll need to look for a more intimate venue. Alternately, if you’re planning a grand event, you’ll need a venue big enough for all your guests.
Create a wedding checklist and allocate your budget accordingly so that you can plan your special occasion the right way.
Write Out Your Guest List
As we mentioned earlier, you need to determine how many guests you intend to invite to your event. It’s a good idea to draw up a list of the people you want to invite. You can leave room for just a few more names in case you feel like you’re forgetting someone, but don’t be too vague. If you’re hosting a wedding of 100 people, even 10 additional guests will change your budget because you’ll need to arrange for seating, food, etc. Similarly, you can’t select a venue designed to seat 200 people and try to fit in 300. Those extra guests won’t be able to enjoy the festivities, and chances are, the lack of space will ruin the fun for the rest as well.
You and your partner need to draw up your guest lists and maybe consult with your families in case they’d like to invite certain guests. Don’t begin your wedding venue hunt until you’ve settled on the number of guests.
List down the Most Important Components of the Venue
Now that we’ve got all the boring stuff out of the way, it’s time to get to the fun part. It’s time for you to decide what you’re looking for in a wedding venue. Do you want an outdoor setting where you can look up at the stars as the night falls, or a majestic ballroom, straight out of a fairytale? Are you okay with the catering provided by the venue, or do you want your own caterer who will prepare the dishes you like? Do you want a place where you can have a casual event or one that is strictly black tie?
Outdoor Ceremony at The Rockleigh[/caption]Select Your Season
The season might be a bit broad, but decide whether you want to have a summer, spring, autumn, or winter wedding (this will affect your theme, clothes, and menu and should not be overlooked). In some cases, you may already have your special date in mind. This may be the day you got engaged, the day you first met, etc. In any case, it’s a good idea to select a few dates that are ideal for you, your partner, and your closest guests.
Photo: JF-Photography[/caption]
Deciding a date is important before you look for a venue. After all, you don’t want to find a venue you’re completely in love with, only to find out that it’s completely booked through the season you were considering! Looking only at venues that are available at your desired times will make your search easier.
Prepare a List of Questions for the Venue
Once you’ve narrowed down a few locations, it’s important to have all your main questions ready. These include:
- How many guests can fit in the venue? How many extra people can fit in comfortably?
- Is the catering in-house or external?
- Is the floral arrangement in-house or needs to be arranged by you?
Keep your budget in mind, and when you’re happy with a venue, seal the deal.
See Your Shortlisted Venues Live
Once you’ve gone through virtual tour of your favorite venues on 360SiteVisit, you may want to visit the top 3 you’ve selected, just so that you can envision what getting married there will be like. You’ll be able to see how closely they match their online photos and virtual tours. In addition, the guide at the venue may be able to answer any more queries you have that are making you hesitate from signing the contract.
Choose “The One”
You may end up finding more than one venue that fits your vision. Or you may find that you’re not completely happy with any of them (in which case, keep looking). Draw out a list of the pros and cons of each venue. End up with a venue that you’re both happy with. The place should be ideal for a theme if you have one, should fit your desired number of guests, and so on.
Keep going through virtual tours of wedding venues until you find the one that fits the bill.
Read the Fine Print
Once you’ve selected the venue, it’s time to sign your contract. Read through the entire thing thoroughly. You don’t want to find out later on about specific clauses such as your contract being canceled upon a late payment, not being to arrange for your own catering, etc. Once you’ve carefully read through it all, you can sign the form and breathe a sigh of relief.
Virtual Touring of Wedding Venues
Searching for wedding venues is no small task, and in this day and age, no one really has the time to visit multiple locations in person. Dealing with road traffic alone would be enough to make you want to call the whole thing off.
With 360SiteVisit, you can tour wedding venues in New Jersey from the comfort of your own home. Look through countless destinations seated at your couch and adjust the requirements to find venues that fit your budget, guest count, and preference for indoor/outdoor spaces. Through 360SiteVisit, you can tour a number of incredible wedding venues in the New Jersey area such as Nanina’s in the Park, Park Savoy, The Rockleigh, and more,
We can also connect you to caterers, entertainment, florists and more, to make sure that your venue looks every bit as magical as you envision it.
With 360SiteVisit, your wedding planning will be made easier and more enjoyable, and you’ll be saved from all that pre-wedding stress many couples end up with.
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