How to Choose Your Wedding Venue (Beginners Guide)
Picking your wedding venue feels like the big one, right?
Like, the decision that officially kicks off wedding planning. The one everyone asks about first. The one that instantly makes things real.
But also? The one that can make you spiral into a sea of tabs, quotes, and “wait… how much?!”
So if you’re overwhelmed or lowkey terrified because you don’t know where to start — you’re not doing it wrong.
Venue-hunting is just a lot.
Especially if you’re not hiring a wedding planner and you’re trying to do this thing on a budget.
This guide is going to walk you through the process step by step.
So you can book your venue with confidence even if your doing it by yourself...
Let’s do this together.
Step 1: Before you even look at Venues -
We need to get clear on a few core things
This is the part people skip and then regret later.
Before you start falling in love with spaces on Instagram, you need to get clear on a few non-negotiables:
Your budget (how much you actually want to spend on the venue)
Your guest count (even a rough estimate like 80–100 people is fine)
Your ideal time of year (or your actual date if you already have one)
Because trust me - nothing feels worse than falling in love with a venue and realizing it’s way too small or completely out of budget.
That’s a heartbreak I want you to avoid.
Step 2: Narrow down your general vibe
There are so many venue types out there.
Hotels. Gardens. Restaurants. Airbnb homes. Churches. Beaches. Event centers. Courthouses.
Your grandmother’s backyard...etc
So pause and ask yourself: what kind of day do we want?
Something outdoorsy and relaxed?
Something modern and minimalist?
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You don’t have to know exactly what it looks like yet, but you do need to narrow it down a bit.
That way, you’re not wasting your time touring places that don’t match what you actually want.
Step 3: Start researching (and get organized)
Once you have a rough vibe in mind, start looking up venues in your area (or wherever you want to get married).
Like:
Google + Instagram are your friends.
Try searching terms like “affordable wedding venues [your city]” or “micro wedding venue [your state]” and stalk Instagram location tags and geotags too.
Join local Facebook bride groups.
I know, Facebook is giving 2013, but those groups are goldmines.
People drop their real wedding photos and vendor recs.
Use venue directories - but don’t stop there.
Sites like WeddingWire and The Knot can be a start, but not every amazing venue is listed there (especially smaller or newer ones).
Always double-check with a good ol’ Google search.
Check local photographers’ Instagrams (...they often tag venues)
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Then start saving any venue that might be a fit.
Don’t overthink it yet - just gather your options.
Then - and this is important - have a note or place to track them.
Typically include:
-Venue name
-Price (and what’s included)
-Capacity
-Availability
-Notes (vibe, pros/cons, etc.)
....This will save you so much confusion later.
Btw if you need help, I created a Tool that will help so much with this comparison part
…but I'll talk more about it at the end, so watch out!
Step 4: Go on tours - and really pay attention
Once you’ve narrowed it down to 3–5 serious contenders, it’s time to schedule tours (or virtual walkthroughs, if you’re far away).
When you're there, don’t just walk around thinking,
“Wow, it's so pretty.”
Ask. Questions.
Take photos. Take notes.
Pay attention to stuff like:
Weather Plan
-If it rains, then what? Will you cry? Or does the venue have a solid backup plan?
-Is the indoor option just as nice - or is it giving sad conference room?
Inventory & Setup
-Do they have chairs, tables, linens? Or will you need to rent everything?
-Can you see where the dance floor will go, where people will eat, where the ceremony will happen?
Timing + Rules
-How many hours do you get the space for?
-When can vendors come in to set up?
-Are there noise cut-off times, sparkler bans, alcohol rules?
Bathrooms + Parking
-Are the bathrooms nice?
-Can your guests actually park there or are you going to need to shuttle everyone in?
What’s included vs what’s extra
Some venues include tables, chairs, setup, cleanup, lighting, etc.
Others give you four walls and say "good luck."
Know exactly what you're getting ….cos this is the gotcha part most brides don't see coming
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If you need a more comprehensive list of Venue tour questions
…i have a blog post on 50 Venue Tour Questions … I also linked it at the end.
Step 5: After the tour - here’s how to actually decide
Immediately jot down your thoughts after the tour.
Like literally in the car.
What did you love? What felt off?
Your brain will start mixing up venues by tomorrow.
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This will also help you when your comparing your vendors
Also ... a tip i have for comparing your venue ... is to grade them
Have your 5 Non-Negotiable listed out and use it to compare which venue check the most boxes and score them out of 5
...So if Venue A checked out 3 of them
It's 3/5
Venue B had 4 of your non negotiable checked out ...4/5
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Laying it out this way will help you see things clearly …and not make decisions solely based on your feelings
Step 6: Sleep on it
I always say:
Don’t book your venue the same day you tour it.
Go home, eat something, sleep.
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Once the excitement settles down, compare the venues with the your non negotiable
...thenn you can make a decision
Step 7: After youve narrowed it down
…Re-read the contract carefully.
Before signing anything, read that thing like you’re reading a love letter from your ex: thoroughly and with questions.
Look for rules, cancellation policies, payment schedules, etc.
Any final questions you have ...ask it now
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Finally make sure everything you discussed verbally is in writing.
If it's not in the contract, it doesn’t exist.
Step 8: Finally make the Decision - and Don’t Look Back
Once you book your venue, stop scrolling.
Mute the venue hashtag. Unsave the dreamy ones you didn’t pick.
Don’t torture yourself.
You chose this place for a reason.
Oh and before you go...
…like I said earlier if you need help with the whole venue search thing.
I have something that would help
It's called the Wedding Planning Bundle and I created it specifically for brides who are planning their wedding on their own
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And one of my favorite things it helps with …is comparing vendors
- like wedding venue for example.
You can compare them side-by-side based on what actually matters to you - side-by-side, based on what matters to you.
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And it's not just for venue.
You can also use it to compare your other vendors too,track your budget, help your guest list, your timeline, seating chart
...all the stuffs that are usually very overwhelming.
.
.
.
So if that sounds like something you need ,
…I dropped the link for you to check it out
To Wrap it up...
It’s the first big wedding decision you’re making - and it shapes so much else.
Your budget, your vibe, your timeline, even your stress levels.
So even if it’s not the most Instagrammable spot on Earth, if it fits your budget, your guest list, and your vision
It’s perfect.💕.
You’ve GOT to read this next...
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Avoid hidden costs, surprises, and regrets with this ultimate venue checklist.
A must-read for every smart bride!
Not all wedding vendors are created equal — and some red flags are louder than others. Before you book anyone, read this.
It’ll help you avoid the “I should’ve known” regrets and choose vendors you can actually trust.
Planning a wedding will test your patience and your sanity—unless you shift how you think about it.
These 13 mindset shifts will change the way you plan, calm the chaos, and help you actually enjoy the process.
Dealing with in-laws who won’t respect your wedding boundaries?
This guide gives you clear, practical steps to protect your peace, hold your ground, and stop the guilt spirals—without losing your mind.