June 2010
Choosing the Perfect Venue for Your Wedding

Your fiancée proposed and you said "Yes!", now the first questions that come to your mind and need an answer is “When!”? and "Where...?" Finding the perfect setting for your dream wedding requires resources, skill and time, making these critical components of your wedding planning.

The right venue can turn your special wedding event into an unforgettable delight, while the wrong venue can turn your special day into something that you and your guests would rather forget. Many couples prefer to simplify their planning and host both the ceremony and the reception at the same venue rather than reserving two--for the ceremony and the wedding reception. Choosing the one ideal venue for you special event saves time, money and other hassles.

No matter what options you choose, finding the perfect location for your dream wedding can be fun. Begin the process considering your budget, theme, season, interests, the guest list and the memories you want the wedding to evoke. Let the following list of general ideas for venues help you get your list started:

Ball Rooms - Will typically offer a full-service package. If you go for this option, select one with a genuine reputation as a distinguished special event facility.

Country Clubs - Most will offer full-service wedding packages.

Convention Centers – They can be either rented or booked and offer full-service packages.

Gardens - Public ("botanical gardens") or private gardens can be delightful venues.

Special Event Venues - Historical sites, estates, resorts and hotels are perfect for ceremonies on the grounds, especially for ‘outdoorsy’ people. Sometimes they may even allow outside weddings without renting the actual building.

Museums – If you and your list of guest are enjoy art; inquire about packages at a favorite museum. In some cases, they have an event room available and may even work with you creating a theme weeding.

There are many other venues you may consider, however the above are the most popular and make great wedding venues. Create a list of ideas and highlight the two or three you would like to look into further. Also, don’t forget to plan ahead with a hotel/hotels for your guests, it pays off as usually they will offer room and group discounts.

Hopefully this article serves as a general starting point of information that will facilitate make the process of finding the perfect venue for your needs easier!