The Custom-Made Venue Machine

June 21, 2015

The custom made venue making machine...now don't you wish that was actually a thing??

You would select the flooring, the ceiling height, select no ceiling at all, plant the trees where you wanted them and create the perfect space size to fit your guest count. And with this machine, we would all be happy!

Oh, and I forgot to mention, it would always fit within your budget, no matter what the budget was.

Wishful thinking, right? ;)

But in reality, there is no magic button to create that perfect venue. You've got to give and take. We all live in different areas, with different potential wedding venues and unless your venue search is expanded to anywhere in the world and your budget is unlimited, then I'm going to have to break some bad news to you:

You are not going to get everything you're looking for.

It's all about a little compromise, and deciding on your top must-haves.

So here is my advice to you: Create a list of "must-haves" that both you and your fiance want. Maybe he definitely wants vaulted ceilings and you just have to have an outdoor, garden ceremony. Maybe you don't want your guests to have to drive anywhere (aka a hotel) or possibly it is just important to you that you stay within a 10 mile radius of your house.

Whatever it may be, begin a list in order of importance. Then anything that is below #5, you can cut right off of that list. While they may be doable, but they are not a must have - rather, a WANT.

Then when you begin venue shopping, keep that list of musts and begin to determine what you can compromise on, based on seeing it in person. Can you go for 10 foot ceilings instead of 15 feet if you have everything else on your list of musts? Does the carpet really matter since it will be dark in the room and covered in tables? Would you compromise your garden view for an ocean view if all of the others are there? Or what about a 5 minute drive for guests to get from reception to their hotel at the end of the night?

It's all about compromise.

And at the end of the day, if you've got three out of your top five musts, then believe me, you've found your perfect venue :)

His hometown or hers?

March 26, 2015

If you're anything like me, you went to college in a different state than you grew up. Well...I grew up in Northern California and went to school in Southern California, but they're basically different states!

You studied hard, played hard, and met the love of your life. He pops the question shortly after that and voila! The rest is history. Well, at least that's how it went for me!

And then it comes time to plan the wedding and you think, "Now we have an issue. Where the heck should we have our wedding??" You now live in a different state than each of you grew up, so it's a tough decision to make.

But you have four possible options:

1. Have your wedding in his hometown so his family doesn't have to travel
2. Have your wedding in her hometown so her family doesn't have to travel
3. Have your wedding where you currently live so you don't have to travel
4. Have a destination wedding and everyone travels!

It's a tough decision to make, and only the two of you can decide what's best. But in order to help you come to a decision (or at least narrow that list of four down to two), I've got some things for you to consider:

Are you okay with planning your wedding from a distance?

If you decide to plan your wedding anywhere but where you currently life, then you're planning a destination wedding.

Are you okay with choosing a venue and not seeing it until your wedding day?
Are your family and friends who do live there able to meet with vendors and go on tours for you?
Are you comfortable with not meeting your vendors before you book them?

Now with our handy dandy iPhones, it's pretty easy to "meet" vendors via FaceTime or Skype, and actually "tour" your venues from a distance...only, you're seeing them through a phone. But at least it's better than nothing! And of course you may be able to travel out there for a weekend or two, but you're surely not going to be able to meet every vendor and tour every venue at the blink of an eye. So some planning with 100% have to be done without you present.

If any of these questions terrify you and you know that a destination wedding will just make your stress levels worse, then it looks like you've got the list already narrowed down to #3!

Size Matters

This may be a very simplistic way of thinking about it, but if his family has only 10 people and yours has 150, then most likely it will be the best decision to make his family travel and not yours. Because we need to keep our guests in mind too :)

Financial Situations

We all come from various financial backgrounds and traveling across the country or even the world (no matter how much they want to) may not be an option for some of your guests.

Can your mom and dad afford that flight?
Are all of your friends going to be able to afford it?
Is it even a possibility for your aunt and uncle to take off work?

There are people who you just have to have there with you on your wedding day and depending on the destination you choose, that may not be a possibility for some of them. So think about travel time and the cost associated with that, before any destination is decided on.

Think about the who, the what, and the where and everything that is involved in getting your wedding plans taken care of.

Did you run into this situation? What did you decide and why?
Comment below - we want to hear your advice too!

A Venue FOR YOU

March 22, 2015

One of the first steps, and biggest steps, in the planning process is choosing a venue. Well, not just choosing, but getting a date booked and signed for. It's a daunting task with so many options out there!

I don't even know my theme yet...how do I possibly choose a venue?

Everywhere seems far too pricey for me...I'm never going to get married!

If either of these thoughts have crossed your mind or you're just altogether scared to start your venue search, don't worry, you'll get through it! You'll find a beautiful place that fits your budget and you'll make your theme shine wherever it may be!

But before you say "I Do" to that special place and sign on the dotted line, make sure this venue is right for you!

Guest Count

If you are inviting 200 guests and the venue only holds 150, then this isn't the venue for you. While everyone tells you that about 15-20% of your guests will RSVP with a no (which is usually the case!), there are always exceptions to the rule. And that exception may be you!

So make sure you find a venue that will hold every single guest you are planning on inviting...just in case!

And in reality, you don't want to max out a venue anyways :)

Minimums

You may be able to afford the price per person at your dream venue, but because you've done such a great job at narrowing down your guest list, you may not be hitting the minimum required spending that the venue has set! And if you sign on that dotted line and send your deposit on it's way, then be sure that you're okay with spending at least the minimum plus tax and service charge, no matter what your guest count ends up being!

Theme

While the theme isn't imperative to decide on before the wedding, make sure it somewhat matches your personality. If you two are the outdoorsy type, then a hotel ballroom is probably not going to match your bohemian-style wedding. You get my drift?

Your Must Have's

There are so many items that brides and grooms place on their "must have" list and many of these relate to your venue!

- You don't want your guests to have to drive from ceremony to reception. The venue doesn't have a ceremony site!
- You don't want guests to have to drive anywhere at all, even from the hotel! The venue isn't a hotel.
- You want to get ready at your venue. But there is no bridal suite!
- Having a priest marry you is a must because you're both Catholic. You're going to have to get married in a church!
- The best food you've ever tasted is a must on your wedding night! But they don't offer a food tasting.
- You already have your caterer set in stone. But the venue doesn't allow outside catering!
- You want to get married in the middle of winter. But the venue is outdoors!
- Your son (who turns out to be a dog) is going to be your ring bearer. But the venue doesn't allow dogs on site!

If any of these fall on your list of "must-haves" or there is anything else you just cannot live with or without having on your wedding day, make sure that venue you choose fits your criteria. Because after you sign, there's no turning back!

You're in Love

And most importantly, choose a venue that you can see yourself saying "I Do" at. If you can stand at that ceremony site and picture your wedding day, you've got a great venue! Don't choose the venue that your family and friends love, but the one that you and your fiance love and would like to call YOUR wedding venue for life! You're going to have some of the best memories of your life at this place, so make sure you love it!