Once you’ve popped the question, slipped on the ring, and finalized the wedding date, the next step is deciding on the perfect location to host the most significant day of your life! The memories of your wedding ceremony and reception will stay with you forever. The wedding venue you choose will be immortalized in your wedding photos, so it’s crucial to select a significant location that will hold its meaning and beauty for years to come.
Let us give you tips on how your preferred venue will contribute to the overall ambiance of your wedding day. Use these helpful tips and tricks to select the ideal location to exchange your vows.
Start With Your Wedding Vision
Allow your wedding vision to guide your decisions. It’s essential to establish a particular atmosphere for your wedding day. A modern art gallery might not be the most suitable venue if you’re envisioning an intimate, relaxed ceremony with a few close friends. Conversely, a beach with chairs scattered around probably won’t work if you’re planning a sophisticated, refined wedding day. Start with your wedding vision and narrow the venue options to suit your style. Once you’ve established how you want your wedding to look, feel, and be captured in photographs, you can begin searching for a venue that complements your vision. Here are some suggestions to inspire your creativity.
Traditional
Embracing tradition allows the love story of the bride and groom to take center stage. Traditional wedding venues are rich in history and heritage, providing a perfect setting for a simple and elegant celebration of love. A charming church, country club, or golf course could be an excellent choice for couples seeking a timeless and classic ambiance for their special day.
Modern
A contemporary wedding ceremony is often characterized by its clean, crisp, and minimalist aesthetic. For this type of celebration, seek out venues with sleek, spacious layouts that don’t have too many distracting elements in the background. Art galleries, modern restaurants, loft spaces, and warehouses can provide the perfect blank canvas for your wedding vision to take shape.
Natural
Consider having an outdoor wedding if you’re going for a bohemian atmosphere. Celebrating your special day in the fresh, natural surroundings can infuse your wedding with an organic, airy ambiance. Picture an ocean-front ceremony on the beach or an enchanting ceremony on the same lawn where you first met. Botanical gardens can also provide a delightful natural feel while ensuring that your wedding day is weather-resistant.
Rustic
A rustic venue may be the ideal choice for your wedding if you’re looking for a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Simple yet elegant, rustic venues provide the perfect setting to showcase your unique style, with the added benefit of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Vintage
A historic venue can be perfect for couples who love all things vintage. The intricate details of an old library or the stunning marble floors of a 19th-century post office can evoke feelings of nostalgia for a simpler time. Celebrating your wedding in a vintage location can add a charming and elegant touch to your special day.
Romantic
For a fairytale wedding experience, look no further than a romantic venue. Soft, twinkling lights and enchanting floral arrangements can transport your guests to a magical wonderland where your love story takes center stage. Venues such as elegant hotel ballrooms, historic mansions, can enhance the romance and elegance of your wedding day, leaving guests spellbound.
Destination
If you’re considering a Caribbean beach wedding or a snowy nuptial on the slopes, keep in mind that your guests may have to travel a considerable distance. A smaller guest list can create an intimate and unforgettable experience for your destination wedding, with memories that will last a lifetime. Plus, with fewer guests, you’ll surely have unique and stunning photos you’ll cherish forever.
Consider Your Guest List
Choosing a wedding venue is not just about finding a beautiful space that fits your style and budget. You also need to consider your guest list and how many people the venue can accommodate comfortably. It’s important to choose a spacious venue for everyone to enjoy the celebration without feeling cramped or uncomfortable.
For instance, a small country church may not be suitable for a large guest list of 300 people. Your guests may not fit inside; even if they do, they will be squished and uncomfortable. This can affect your photos and memories of the day. Therefore, finding a venue that can accommodate your guest list and has enough space for everyone to sit or stand comfortably is crucial.
Additionally, you should consider the accessibility of the venue for your guests, particularly those with mobility issues. If some of your guests need help to walk down a forest path or sit outdoors comfortably, you should find a venue to accommodate their needs. The comfort of your guests should also be a priority. Is there shade available if the weather is too hot? Is there an alternative space if the weather becomes inclement?
While you want your guests to have a good time, you should not forget that it’s your big day. Therefore, look for a balance between your preferences and the accessibility for your guests. By keeping your guest list in mind, you’ll be able to choose a wedding venue that everyone will enjoy and remember forever.
Here are some free templates you could use to craft your guest list!
Doing Your Research
When searching for your ideal wedding venue, doing some research online can help you narrow down your options. Wedding blogs and forums can provide inspiration and ideas from other brides who have had successful weddings in different types of venues. After creating a list of potential venues, search for real weddings that have taken place at those locations. A quick Google images search with the venue name, and “wedding” can provide photos of past weddings at the venue and even links to the vendors used by those couples. Looking at these real weddings can help you better understand the venue’s logistics and provide photography ideas. To keep track of the images you love, consider saving them in a file on your computer or creating a Pinterest board to share with your photographer later.
Other Factors To Consider
When choosing the perfect wedding venue, there are other important factors to consider in addition to your wedding’s overall vision. Below are a few things that can make a real difference:
Lighting
Ensure that your venue has adequate lighting for every stage of your wedding day. This is important for your photographer to capture all the important moments. If your venue needs more lighting, ask if they can provide it or if you need to rent equipment separately.
On-site coordination
Many venues provide a dedicated event coordinator. This can help in knowing the venue’s ins and outs, especially if something is needed quickly or if vendors have any questions. Keep in mind that a venue coordinator is not your wedding planner.
Vendor restrictions
Ask if your venue has a list of recommended vendors or if you have the flexibility to choose any vendor. If restricted to preferred vendors, ask if there’s a discount and if there’s a fee for choosing other vendors.
Catering options
If the venue provides in-house catering, request a menu tasting. In case of opting out, ask if there are any food restrictions.
Exclusivity concern
Verify whether your wedding is the only event scheduled on that day to avoid guest confusion. Multiple events may delay photography sessions.
Breakdown of Cost
Start by identifying options that align with your budget. Keep in mind that the venue will consume a significant portion of your wedding budget, making it crucial to determine what you can afford.
Avoid setting your sights on venues that are too expensive or lack the services you need, as this can lead to disappointment. However, if you’re set on a specific venue, you may need to compromise in other areas to make it work.
Request a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with hosting a wedding at the venue from the coordinator. Many venues don’t publicly disclose pricing information to encourage inquiries, and any initial package pricing provided may include only some applicable fees and charges. To ensure a venue is within your budget, ask for a comprehensive list of pricing details.
Choosing final wedding venue candidates
After using your guest list and budget to eliminate some venues, schedule tours of potential venues. This step is essential as it allows you to experience the atmosphere of a venue firsthand. Even if you have a preferred choice, visiting the location can reveal that it doesn’t meet your expectations or evoke the desired emotional response.
Final Decision
When visiting a venue, ensure that you ask the appropriate questions when meeting with the on-site coordinator or property manager. Bring a list of questions to each tour to prevent forgetting any important ones.
Don’t feel obligated to select the first venue you visit, and hold off on signing a contract until you are confident you have found the perfect location. Remember, however, that your date will only be secured after signing a contract.
Bonus Tip: If you are provided with a summary of costs, request a detailed, itemized list to identify any unanticipated fees.
Choosing a wedding venue involves several factors, but you will most likely know if a venue is right for you upon seeing it. Once you have secured a venue, the exciting part of planning can commence!
About Mekar Weddings
Mekar Weddings & Venues is an event management company for couples looking to create their dream Malay wedding in Singapore. With an emphasis on delivering memorable Halal buffet events and affordable Malay Wedding Packages, we have developed a core team of professionals who plan and execute distinctive Malay wedding packages and celebrations flawlessly on time and within your budget.
Mekar Weddings offers a range of beautiful Malay wedding venues to choose from, ensuring that you’ll find the perfect location to host your special day. Their affordable Malay wedding packages include everything from venue rental and catering to decorations and photography, making it easy for you to create your dream wedding without breaking the bank.
Our experienced staff provides professional services, from planning and design to execution and coordination, ensuring that every detail of your wedding is taken care of. With Mekar Weddings, you can relax and enjoy your special day, knowing everything will be handled perfectly.
Choose Mekar Weddings & Venues and Mekar F&B Events for your dream Malay wedding in Singapore. Experience the peace of mind that comes with working with a team of professionals who truly care about making your wedding day unforgettable. Contact us to find out more today!
