Wedding Venues

[Pomlover2586]

Ok this may be a silly question so please forgive me cuz i'm really new at this LOL. I already know that i'm not going to have a wedding at Disneyland Resort or WDW........waayyy too expensive and our guest list is already up to 66 [that includes all the must haves...no extras]...... My questions is how do brides who are not doing a destination or Disney wedding choose a venue? I know I want some type of ballroom/dance hall for the reception.....and I either want the ceremony in a church or in a garden of some kind [golf course/vineyard etc you get the picture] I haven't decided if I want the ceremony indoors or outdoors but I do know I want an archway with floral decorations such as vines behind us.....maybe even a Gazebo. So how do most brides narrow it down when they have no locations in mind to start with? Do they call up different places after searching on the web and then do site visits? Please help.......warning you all now i'll probobly be asking a lot of silly questions as the wedding gets nearer......LOL

EDIT: Oh see!! I have another question already! How soon should I start my planning Journal? Should I start it once I have a location etc or should I start it now with all the hum drum about picking a site? Ok Thanks!

 

[Lynn5700]

Go to theknot.com and search for vendors and places in your area also go to barnes and noble or any bookstore and they should have wedding magazines in your area. I live in South New jersey and they have a New Jersey brides magazine even the knot have local magazines.

you can start your planning journal whenever you want

HTH

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi! I'm in CA too! There's a magazine and website called Here Comes the Guide that lists recommended California wedding venues by geographic area.

www.herecomestheguide.com

Some of its locations are duplicates of the ones on the Knot, but it has a lot of great info. Another way to pick a site is to think about places that have significance to you and your fiance - even if they aren't traditional wedding venues. It makes for a really personal wedding.

To me, the way you pick your venue is based on your priorities. What's your budget? Do you want indoor or outdoor? Do you want the ceremony and reception at the same location? Do you have a lot of guests or only a few? (this is a biggie - you don't want to waste time visiting locations that can't accomodate your party's size) Does the location come with tables, chairs, dance floor, etc. or do you have to rent those? Is there enough parking? Can you bring in your own caterer or do you have to use theirs? Are there restrictions on playing music or having dancing? How long do you have to set up/tear down? Do they book multiple weddings on the same day?

It's totally overwhelming - trying to figure this out has made me see how easy Disney brides have it - all they have to arrange is the fun stuff, like colors and flowers. If we decide not to do a DFTW, I'll be dealing with heat lamps and silverware - ugh!

Anyway, if you're just starting to plan, an essential resource is the book "Bridal Bargains" - it tells you what you need to ask each vendor and how not to get ripped off. I love it!