When starting to plan for your big day, you are probably thinking about where you are going to invite all your family and friends and what that perfect place must have. This can be a stressful part of planning your wedding, but Hitch Studio has some tips for you that are sure to make the whole process easier and less frustrating.
Budget
First and foremost, setting a budget is going to be the most important part of the process. Setting a realistic budget will make finding a venue easier and there will be fewer disappointments in the long run. Some venues have an all-inclusive type of rate that includes tables, chairs, linens, set up, take down, and more. Looking at venues with these types of amenities would be worth considering if this is in your budget.
Ceremony/Reception Venues
Next, you and your fiancé must decide how many venues you want for your wedding day. If getting married in the church you grew up going to every Sunday is what your heart desires, then finding a reception venue is your only task. Having two separate venues can add even more enjoyment to your day because you can plan a getaway car, a big party bus that holds your wedding party, or maybe even a pontoon or other type of boat. This is where you can get creative, but just keep in mind you may need to plan transportation when having two separate venues.
If you want an outdoor ceremony that is only a couple of steps away from the barn where your reception will be held, that makes the venue search even easier and more targeted. Going the route of only one venue will subtract the need for transportation for you, your wedding party, and your guests.
Whatever direction you decide to go, Hitch Studio will help the whole day go smoothly. Check out these local venues in the Brookings, South Dakota area that are some of our favorites!
Schadè Vineyard & Winery – Volga, SD
McCrory Gardens – Brookings, SD
Good Roots Farm and Gardens – Brookings, SD
Swiftel Center – Brookings, SD
Wilbert Square Event Center – Brookings, SD
Club 71 Room, SDSU Campus, Brookings, SD
Brookings Country Club, Brookings, SD
Performing Arts Center and Volstorff Ballroom, SDSU Campus, Brookings, SD
Enoch Gazebo & Farms, Elkton, SD
For a full list of Sioux Falls, South Dakota venues too, contact us! We have a venue list full of options for you!
Guest List
Another thing to consider when looking for a venue is comparing your guest list size to the occupancy levels of the venue. Whether your list is 50, 150, or 300 plus people, you can find a variety of venue sizes that can fit your need in a safe and comfortable way.
Planning for Weather
Midwest brides will have to plan around weather for outdoor venues while also expecting the unexpected. Doing your research is going to come in handy during this part of the process. Look at past years of your potential wedding date and see how the weather has historically been. When visiting the venue, also ask the venue coordinator what they do for back-up plans in case of bad weather conditions.
If having your ceremony outside in the crisp October weather with all the beautiful colors is your dream, Hitch Studio has worked in the rain, snow, and any other type of South Dakota conditions you can think of. Hiring Hitch to be your wedding planner would take the stress away from figuring out a back-up plan that will still give you the day you and your fiancé have been dreaming about.
Do Your Research
Once you go and tour some venues and get a list of your favorites, do your research! Go on their website and look at photos and videos from past weddings at the venue you are interested in. Looking at reviews and comments from past couples will also help you narrow down the perfect place. Taking a tour can give you the best feeling on any venue too!
Venue Coordinator Questions
We have compiled a list of some questions to ask your wedding venue coordinator to help make the process easier, so you do not miss a thing while venue searching.
- What is the total rental fee?
- What type of rental fees are included in the price, for tables, chairs, tablecloths, etc.?
- How much parking space do you have to offer?
- What are your occupancy levels for the building?
- What is your back-up plan in case of bad weather conditions? (Outdoor Venues)
- Do you have space for the wedding party to get ready?
- What is the earliest time we can arrive? (per the contract)
- What is the latest time we can leave? (per the contract)
- Is there a fee for arriving earlier or leaving later than our contract states?
- How much is the deposit? Is it refundable?
- Can we hire our own vendors? If not, what type of vendors do you offer? (DJ, caterer, bar staff, etc.)
- Do you provide security services?
- Is there a cocktail hour space? Do you allow beer, wine and liquor to be served?
- What type of insurance can I put on my contract? (Unexpected Cancellation)
If you’d like the FULL list of questions to ask your reception venue, they are listed in the Wedding Day Designer!
We wish you the best of luck on your venue search and we hope you find the perfect one to celebrate your joyous love and new marriage!
Contact Hitch Studio for a consultation or help finding the perfect venue for you. We can help you with venues in South Dakota (like Brookings and Sioux Falls) and even Southwest Minnesota!
Great post, Renee! If you know beforehand about the important things to consider for a wedding venue, you can plan your special day with less stress. I think it is also important to know about the vendor options or you may get stuck with limited options. Talk to the venue manager and discuss all your concerns with him.
My younger sister got engaged to her now-fiance last week and she wants to begin her wedding planning, starting with the venue. I love how you suggest taking the guest list into account so you can find a venue that fits your guests comfortably and safely. I will help her create the guest list as soon as possible so that we can find the perfect venue for her wedding.
What a beautiful article!!
Thanks for pointing out the importance of setting a budget to make sure that finding a venue is going to be easier. My fiance and I are planning to get married before the year ends so we are looking for a venue for the ceremony. We need to work on our budget since we recently bought a house. I will be sure to narrow down our choices based on what we can afford. Thanks!
Being a photographer myself, I can agree at these tips are top notch! Awesome guide for newly engaged couples.
I like that you said that setting a budget will help to find a venue easily as it is an important part of the process. This is something that I will consider since I want to help my sister find a wedding venue. She mentioned that she is looking for one that offers possible discounts because their budget for the venue is restricted. This is because they recently bought a new house.
Very informative
Nice Post