CHAPTER 5: HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING VENUE

How to Choose a Wedding Venue

Your wedding venue is essential for setting the tone for your special day, and it plays a key role in making guests feel relaxed and happy during the reception. According to the 2019 WeddingWire Guest Study, the venue is one of the main features guests focus on during the reception, with food and music being the top two attention-grabbers. In other words, your venue counts.


Are you feeling pressured to find a picture-perfect venue? Have no worries — we're here to help. This chapter will show you how to choose a wedding reception venue that feels like "the one" and makes your guests feel like VIPs. If you're ready to fall in love with Delaware's premier venue, contact Weddings at Baywood.

Do You Pick a Wedding Date or Venue First?

Whether you choose a wedding date or venue first depends on your goals as a couple. If you have a specific date in mind that's meaningful to you, you might choose a venue that's available at that time. However, if it's more important to select your dream venue, it helps to be more flexible and have a few dates in mind.

What Is the Best Month to Get Married?

Many people consider June a lucky month to get married because it's named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. The mild weather also makes June a popular month for weddings. May, August, September and October are also favored months. When it comes down to it, the perfect wedding month is up to you and your partner. 

Types of Wedding Venues

The following are common types of wedding venues:

  • Hotels or resorts: Couples inviting many out-of-town guests can benefit from choosing a hotel or resort for their wedding. Many hotels offer in-house catering and other amenities. Plus, everyone can stay over after the celebration ends.

  • Country clubs: Many country clubs have beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for a traditional wedding celebration. Some have sprawling golf courses and on-site catering too.

  • Barns and farms: A farm setting can offer gorgeous natural scenery if you want a relaxed and rustic vibe for your big day.

  • Vineyards: Getting married at a vineyard is a great option for wine lovers. Many have an accompanying winery where couples can host indoor activities.

  • Historical sites: If you and your partner are history or architecture enthusiasts, you can celebrate your wedding at a historical space, like an old estate.

  • Religious settings: Couples can utilize their places of worship, such as a synagogue, church or mosque, for their special day.

  • Beaches: The shoreline can provide a stunning and memorable natural backdrop for a wedding celebration.

  • Unique and unconventional venues: Some couples want an out-of-the-box wedding at a quirky venue such as a sports stadium, campground or warehouse.

Destination Wedding Venues

Finding the perfect venue for your destination wedding can take time and effort. Explore the following tips to help you and your soon-to-be-spouse determine the ideal location:

  • Work with a local wedding planner: One of the best ways to streamline the planning process and find the ideal venue for a destination wedding is by working with a planner from that area. They can help you coordinate with vendors, and they'll be more familiar with your venue options. They'll also be able to help you with legal requirements at your destination.

  • Limit your guest list: If you want to have your wedding out of the state or country, keeping the guest list small is best. Look into travel arrangements and logistics before locking down a venue to ensure your guests have the most seamless experience.

  • Take care of the paperwork at home: Getting legally married at a destination wedding can be very complicated. We suggest taking care of the legal paperwork at home so you can focus on the celebration.

Inclusive Wedding Venues

When looking at wedding venues, finding a location with a respectful staff and inclusive accommodations is important. Explore the considerations for the following types of weddings:

LGBTQ+ Weddings 

LGBTQ+ couples can use resources such as Equally Wed to find inclusive vendors and venues. Choosing a destination that fully supports your union is best if you want to get married out of the country.

Interfaith Ceremonies

An interfaith ceremony can be beautiful and encompass the beliefs and values of both individuals. Be upfront when exploring potential venues and ask if they have any religious restrictions.

Find a venue that will allow you to incorporate traditions and personal touches from both faiths.

Culturally-Specific Celebrations

Couples looking to have a culturally-specific celebration should prioritize finding a venue that caters to their unique needs. Again, be transparent with potential venues and ensure they can accommodate the customs and traditions that mean the most to you and your partner. Likewise, working with vendors who understand your cultural background can be highly beneficial.

How to Pick a Wedding Venue: Step-by-Step Guide

Use these steps for finding the perfect wedding venue:

Step 1: Determine Your Wedding Style

When choosing the right venue, consider how you want your big day to look and feel. The wedding style you decide on will inform what types of venues are right for you and your soon-to-be spouse.

Popular wedding styles include the following:

  • Romantic

  • Vintage

  • Rustic

  • Modern

  • Bohemian

  • Whimsical

  • Traditional

With an understanding of what aesthetic you are aiming for, you'll also want to note how many guests you are inviting and your budget limitations.

Step 2: Set Your Wedding Date and Create a List of Potential Venues

Next, decide what time of year you would like to get married. Once you have an idea of the season and month, narrow down some dates that are suitable for you and your partner.

Create a list of potential venues while keeping the following in mind:

  • Budget 

  • Estimated guest list count

  • Wedding style

Step 3: Visit the Venues on Your List

After creating your list of possible venues, schedule a visit to each location. While you are exploring your options, be sure to take note of the following elements:

  • Size

  • Layout

  • Overall ambiance

Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions during your visit to each potential venue. Ensure you inquire about the availability of each site and rental prices.

Step 4: Evaluate the Venue's Amenities and Services

Once you know if a venue is within your budget and suits your vision, evaluate the amenities and services they offer. 

Check the availability of each site's offers, such as:

  • Catering

  • Tables

  • Seating

  • Parking

  • Bridal suite

Some venues may have other attractive offerings, like an in-house wedding planner or floral arrangement services. Assess each site's customer service and consider if it is a good fit for you and your partner.

Step 5: Consider the Venue's Location and Accessibility

Two vital factors to consider when choosing a wedding venue are location and accessibility.

Look at your guest list and what unique needs some of your guests may require, such as accessible parking or special seating arrangements. If your loved ones are traveling to your wedding, they may need nearby hotel accommodations.

Step 6: Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations

Before booking your wedding venue, spend some time reading reviews on sites like WeddingWire and The Knot for the locations you are considering.

Asking friends and family members who previously planned weddings for vendor recommendations can also be highly beneficial. They may have suggestions or insights to help you make the right decisions.

Step 7: Compare and Make a Decision

Creating a list of pros and cons for each wedding venue can help you compare and contrast the following features to make the right decision:

  • Locations

  • Amenities

  • Aesthetics

  • Costs

  • Reviews

Consider which site has the most advantages for you and your partner within the set budget.

Step 8: Confirm Your Booking and Plan for Your Wedding

Once you've evaluated all your potential venue options and narrowed the list down to your desired location, it is time to confirm your booking.

Most venues recommend reserving your venue at least one year in advance to ensure you have adequate time for planning.

A professional wedding planner can help guide you through the rest of the process and decide on the final details, including:

  • Catering menus

  • Decorations

  • Music

Step 9: Enjoy Your Wedding Day at Your Chosen Venue

After finding the perfect location and planning the details of your special day, it is time to celebrate. The final step is to enjoy your wedding day with your partner and loved ones at the venue of your dreams.

Wedding Venue Tours Q & A

What Is a Wedding Venue Tour?

A wedding venue tour allows you to walk through a venue, check out the various spaces and ask plenty of questions. It's how you'll discover the venue's true appearance and atmosphere and learn about important planning details like pricing and logistics. 

What Do You Wear to a Wedding Venue Tour?

Generally, you can dress however you want for a wedding venue tour, and the venue should be thrilled to work with you regardless of your style. However, if you're visiting a country club, there may be a dress code. So, you might want to check if the venue has a dress code before you head there. Also, if it makes you feel more confident and excited as you tour the venue, there's nothing wrong with dressing up a little as long as you wear comfortable shoes.

How Long Do Wedding Venue Tours Take?

You can expect to spend anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour touring a venue, but this depends on how much of the venue you wish to see and how many questions you ask. If the venue has a lot of space to explore, you might add extra time to your visit.

Common Wedding Venue Questions & Answers

What Do I Need to Know Before Booking a Wedding Venue?

You will not need to have every detail set in stone before you visit a venue. However, it's helpful to have a few wedding dates in mind, know how many guests you plan to have and how much you can spend on your venue before visiting. It also helps to have a wedding vision before you book a venue, so you can decide if the setting meets your wants and needs. For example, do you imagine an indoor or outdoor reception? Are you picturing lots of bold colors or a more calm and airy look? When you visit different locations, keep your vision in mind and see if it matches the venue.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Venue

You'll have several things to consider when choosing a wedding venue, such as: 

  • Your wedding style

  • Your budget

  • Time of year the venue is available

  • Whether you'll have time to set up

  • Location

  • Capacity

  • Accessibility

  • Bathrooms and coat checks

  • Lighting options

  • Room for dancing

  • Weather and backup options

  • Parking

  • Food quality and quantity

  • Customer service

  • Packages available

Questions to Ask When Touring a Wedding Venue

Part of searching for a wedding venue is asking tons of questions. It helps to create a list before you tour different venues, so you don't forget anything important. Here's what you'll want to ask when choosing a wedding venue:

  • Do you limit decorations?

  • Am I allowed to rearrange?

  • How far in advance can I book?

  • Are candles allowed?

  • Are there hidden costs?

  • What do you charge for overtime?

  • What deposits are required?

  • When do I have to pay?

  • What's the cancellation policy?

  • Do you have an in-house caterer?

  • Do you have a liquor license?

  • Can I bring my own alcohol?

  • Is there a corkage or service fee?

  • Are there bartenders on staff?

  • Can I bring my own cake?

  • Is there a cake-cutting fee?

  • Can I do a tasting before finalizing the menu, and if so, what is the cost?

  • Can the ceremony and reception both take place at the venue?

  • What if it rains or snows?

  • Can I bring a DJ or a live band?

  • What are your noise policies?

  • How early can I show up at the venue?

  • Can I get ready at the venue?

  • Do you have a sound system?

  • What photo opportunities are available?

  • Where can guests park, and are there parking fees?

  • Is valet parking available?

  • Do you have enough chairs, table linens, tables and tableware, or will I have to rent these items?

  • How many events does the venue do in one day?

  • Do you have a preferred vendor list?

  • What's included in the price?

  • Can I see the different packages available?

Choosing a Wedding Venue Tips

Choosing a wedding venue takes work, but it's one of the most important parts of wedding planning. It can be fun to tour different venues with your fiancé, as long as you give yourselves plenty of time and remember your priorities. Here are top tips to help you choose the right venue while keeping your sanity intact:

  • Start searching for venues early, or at least a year in advance.

  • Be prepared for each tour with a list of questions.

  • Make sure to bring a notebook with you to jot down answers to your questions and other details.

  • Think about what's most important to you as a couple before, during and after venue tours.

  • Be as flexible as possible with your date.

  • Try to visit the venue during the day and at night.

  • Choose venue professionals who are excited to help you and answer your questions.

  • Go with a venue that reflects who you are and feels authentic.

Choosing a Wedding Venue Checklist

To help you get organized and make the process less intimidating, here's a checklist for choosing your wedding venue: 

  • Select the general location of your wedding.

  • Know how much of your budget can go toward the venue.

  • Have an estimated guest count.

  • Create a list of features your dream venue must have.

  • Narrow down a few dates.

  • Research venues online and create a list.

  • Contact the venues from your list and ask a few questions.

  • Schedule tours and plan to ask more questions.

  • Consider the pros and cons of each venue before you book anything.

Reasons to Choose an All-Inclusive Venue

Some wedding venues, like Weddings at Baywood, offer all-inclusive packages that simplify the planning process. All-inclusive venues have caterers on-site, and they may also include services such as wedding planning and floral design. There are several benefits to choosing an all-inclusive venue, such as:

  • You can choose from a range of packages to suit your needs.

  • You won't have to worry about finding a caterer or florist.

  • You'll have more time to enjoy your engagement.

  • All-inclusive venues work with trusted vendors.

  • You'll have help with planning your wedding.

  • They'll have what you need on-site.

  • You'll have a lot less stress leading up to your wedding.

If you're looking for a dreamy all-inclusive venue for your wedding, consider Weddings at Baywood. Located a few miles from Rehoboth Beach, our venue includes picturesque spaces such as a ceremony garden and light-filled ballroom. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, Weddings at Baywood also offers tented receptions, allowing you to enjoy gorgeous garden views and an enchanting open-air setting. Contact us today to learn more about our venue, packages and services.

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