Finding a Venue that Fits

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Mr. PB and I had an 18-month engagement, so we knew we had some time to look at venues. We were open to buffets or stations and definitely wanted open bar to be part of our package. We wanted a venue that had some character to it but didn’t give off a formal vibe. After calculating our budget, I figured $55 per person after tax and gratuity was the highest I wanted to go.

I had some hesitancy with looking at venues during the fall/early winter. I wanted to make sure that I saw the venue in March before signing on the line. Perfectly landscaped grounds, bright flowers and sunshine aren’t exactly staples in March but they’re things likely to be found in sample photos. I didn’t want to fall in love with something I wouldn’t have on my wedding day. I considered being able to see my venue during the same month I’d use it as an advantage to a longer engagement.

I started browsing venues online and began to realize that a lot of places were one of three things: a) out of our price range; b) way too fancy for our style; c) combination of a and b. I decided to start making a spreadsheet with Google Docs to help sort the venues.

venuesDisclaimer: These prices may not be current pricing for the above venues. These were prices I gathered from their websites, special discounts or via verbal estimates. For actual pricing, please contact the venues. *steps off soapbox*

Without boring everyone with all the details, my spreadsheet allowed me to calculate prices for different venues including tax and gratuity and based on the percentage of guests who RSVP yes. For example, I quickly knew that venues such as Westminster were definitely out of our range but places like Whittier had varied pricing that could fit into our budget. Based on these estimates, I started scheduling visits with various venues.

What helped you narrow down the venue search? Are you a number-loving bride like me?

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