Friends, it is a joy to welcome another guest blogger to the blog, and our first guest blogger of 2020…  Say hello to my sweet friend, Amy! She’s so excited to share advice and tips for your wedding venue search today on the blog!

Hi! Amy here, co-owner of The Majestic located in downtown Kankakee. I’m here to talk to you about everything wedding venue related! But first, a little background on me before I dive in! I am a 31-year-old wedding venue owner and operator, dog mom of my Katy girl, I love traveling, enjoy a good glass of wine, love to read, and am a lover of all things love. I own and operate my businesses with my big brother and bestie, Terrance. It’s on my heart to advocate for entrepreneurs and female business owners, and I love all things local! Now let’s dig in!

You’re engaged, now what? That’s when the engaged couples like you, get in touch with people in the business like me! These calls are uncomfortable we know, but I promise we are here to help!

Before you start looking around at your dream locations, gorgeous exotic destinations, and making your Pinterest board a reality, let’s bring it back home for a minute! Start with the most obvious, but always mundane question… BUDGET. I know that’s not a fun word but be realistic about what your budget is and where you’re willing to spend it! Venues will take up a large part of your budget, but keep in mind that it’s where the magic happens! Next, is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION… Is your family local? Are your guests willing to travel? And definitely consider the people you know you couldn’t celebrate the day without. You want to make sure all of those guests are there, so keep it real and make it affordable for guests to travel!

Now that we’ve covered the basics, start asking for recommendations, check out sites like The Knot and Wedding Wire, or start visiting websites of places you’ve been. Once you’ve made your list, start by calling or emailing, and asking for availability and pricing. Ask for a breakdown of rental, catering menus, bar packages, what they include, and last but certainly not least, schedule a tour!

Once you go in for a tour, try to envision what your day would look like! When visiting a venue don’t just look at pricing, think about who you’re working with! Ask questions, and I will repeat that again, ASK QUESTIONS! You can ask how long they’ve been in business, on average of how many events they do per year, and more. The answer to these questions will give you insight on the experience the business has! You will be working with the owner or on-site coordinator often, and you want to make sure you bond with them.

Here are some questions I recommend asking that are often overlooked during the venue search…

• Of course, start with questions about the basics – date availability, capacity, pricing.
• Can you host your ceremony and reception in the same space, and do they have an additional fee?
• How many events does the venue host per day/weekend?
• Ask about rates for Friday/Sunday vs. Saturday weddings – If you’re open to different dates, you may be able to save money!
• Does the venue have a minimum wedding fee?
• Who will be on-site at the venue on the day of the event? – You want to know who is going to be there, and that you’ve met with them personally!
• Is there plenty of parking?
• Best places for photographers to take pictures?
• Ask about insurance – Does the venue carry their own or do you need to provide insurance?
• How does cake cutting work? – This might sound silly but some venues charge per guest to cut the cake! This is usually an unexpected fee, but not one you want to be hit with at the end!
• Ask when you’re able to go in for a food tasting and if the venue does any open house-style events!
• Ask about set up time for vendors, if you’ll have access the day prior, and when you have to be cleaned up and out by!
• And finally, what is the down payment to reserve, and reserve your wedding date?

Now that you’ve toured a venue or three, compared prices, and checked out venue reviews, it’s time to decide! For some this is easy, for others this is a tough decision. Think back on your tours… Who did you vibe with? Did they make you feel welcome? Are they willing to be accommodating?

Trust your gut instinct, it’s like shopping for your wedding dress and a lot of other wedding decisions you make… You should know where you want the magic to happen. Because after all, you want your guests to have an unforgettable experience, and your wedding day one that they will remember. You want the place to reflect your personal style, accommodate you and your guests, and be the place where you celebrate your evening as newlyweds! Best Wishes, XOXO – Amy

Thanks for sharing your best advice for couples searching for a wedding venue, Amy!

P.S. – Looking for more wedding planning advice from Kara and her favorite wedding vendors? Read more here!