How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Venue: Essential Tips and Considerations
How to say ‘I do’ to your wedding venue
Once the world’s most romantic proposal is done and you’re ready to descend from cloud nine, it’s time to get down to brass tacks. It’s time to get the ball rolling. Time to get down to business… right, you get the drift.
The first of your tasks is to draw up your guest list. Actually, your wedding planning tasks and the order of their stress levels are easier to draw up and follow when you get on to Uthsav’s app.
The guest list – once you’ve arrived “somewhere around’ the actual figure – should give you the first indication of the ideal location. Wedding locations are a plenty – from rustic to rich; traditional to the ultra hip; from backyard to beyond the seven seas. Wherever you may want to book the ideal venue, the questions to ask are not too different. There are numerous aspects to consider, including:
Availability: First things first. Instead of doing the entire walk through, falling in love with the gorgeous views, and then finding out it’s not available on your special day, shortlist your favorite venue options based on availability first and foremost. Chances are, if you’ve already got a wedding planner as your guardian angel, they’ll have done their homework to let you know what’s possible and what’s not.
Capacity: How many guests can it hold. Indian weddings are not always known to adhere strictly to guest list. “Oh that’s my brother in law’s maasi’s twice removed nephew’s daughter’s sister in law. She was the one that fixed this match, you know.” And boom, add 3 to the list. Ok that’s a bit exaggerated, but you know how it could go. So, remember to make allowances for extra appearances. And therefore, being respectful of capacity is crucial. Another important question for the venue manager is if they offer a bridal suite and/ or rooms for the bridal party. Will they also offer rooms for during and post events? If the venue is not too close to the booked accommodation, it will be good to have a quiet place to put up the tired soles.
Catering: Does the venue allow for outside food or is it all through their preferred vendor only? If it’s a desi wedding and a traditional one at that, will the venue’s preferred vendor be in the know of the nuances of our great masala land? If it’s a fusion wedding, the caterer must be able to satisfy dual palate. So, check if the venue can accommodate two camps. Especially, if it’s a traditional vegetarian bhojan and a non-vegetarian daawat. Preferences. Should the venue manager throw up their hands at these complexities, and says please bring your own caterer, then the next question would be… silver? Will the venue provide the cutlery, serving dishes, napkins, tablecloths, et al? If yes, do they match your style? Your color palette? If no, and you bring your own, do you get a discount on it? Doesn’t hurt to ask, eh?
Setting the mood: Indian / fusion weddings go from the simple to the elaborate, times hundred. True-to-tradition to the utopian and futuristic themes. Either way, when you visit, ask to see – and request quotes for – both indoor and outdoor possibilities. If it’s outdoors, what about the props. If it’s indoors, what about the props? Are the rentals on your decorator or will the venue have the chops to match your dream? Desi weddings usually have a fundamental set of requirements. Kinda non-negotiable, if you will. The marriage mandap for the couple, the priest, and the holy fire, plus immediate family; flowery aisles, flowery pillars, flowery many things. If it’s outdoors that you have your heart set on, make sure there are enough background possibilities to choose from. If the events are being held outdoors, consider tents or canopie. While sunset shots are keepsakes, does not a happy camper make when the guest has a sunray in his eye.
Desi weddings – big fat or otherwise – are spread over three to five festivities. Will the chosen venue have different areas to set up for mehndi, haldi, sangeet, the actual wedding, and the reception? Or will it be a multi-venue affair?
An important view is that of the photographer. If you’ve already chosen your lensperson, arrange to have them go on your shortlisted venues. A good venue makes for a great memories. And great memories stay alive through the perfect shot.
Logistics: Next set of brass tacks. How far does the bride and groom have to drive (after they’re dressed), to get to the venue? How long will the drive be for seniors and out of towners from where they’re staying? Once you’ve toured the premises, check out the parking scene. Based on your guest list, is there ample parking? Check if the venue will charge for valet parking or if they offer it part of the contract. Take note of the driveway, the approach, and then visualize the flow and ebb of guests. Remember to check if the venue allows for multiple events and how they manage them. Don’t let your guests be part of a movie script – the one where the guest goes to the right venue but the wrong event.
Contract: It’s important that there’s no ambiguity in the final contract. You need to state all the details up front, and the contract should have them in black and white. You’ll want no surprises on the day of, so if you are thinking of any out of the box ideas or red carpeting the walkway for the dhol and baraat, or require ramps for seniors or extra rooms for childcare, get a yes or no clearly. The venue’s policy on outside food or fire in the mandap should be discussed ahead, not discovered later. No fine print, here.
Choosing your dream venue can be as exhilarating as it is exhausting.
Make the most of it. Use the Uthsav checklist to get started. And set your right foot into the perfect wedding planning.
