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How to Choose Your Wedding Venue

Choosing a wedding venue is one of the very FIRST decisions a couple will make in their wedding planning process. The venue sets the tone of your wedding day and allows your dream wedding to come to life.


We'll give you some tips one how to choose a wedding venue to fit your needs on your wedding day.




1. Set your Budget

  • Set a budget and do research on locations you're interested in. You don't have to be married to your initial budget when inquiring, but your venue should be approximately 48-50% of your total budget. When deciding the venue, consider different venue locations in relation to where family or friends will be traveling to or from. Most venues will book up fast during Spring and September/October for busy season - so don't delay on booking your venue!


2. Check the Size and Layout

  • Check out all the different layouts and set ups of the venues you are looking at and how many guests they can accommodate.

  • Cater the space to the expected amount of guests attending

  • What is the back up plan in case of bad weather? (Tents/indoor location?)

  • Is the layout limited to a certain amount of guests or decorations?



3. Consider the Location

  • Is it easily accessible? is it close to hotels? is it wheelchair friendly? Is there a lot of parking for guests? Do they have newlywed suites on site?

  • Research local hotels or airbnbs in the area to see if it is near your venue. Consider your guests traveling from out of town and their commute to and from the ceremony/reception sites.

  • If your guests are needing to take shuttles or buses to the ceremony site, be sure to check the shuttle schedule to allow guests to arrive in time for the ceremony, because there is almost always a shuttle full of guests that tend to run a bit late.




4. Check on the Amenities:

  • In-house Catering?

  • In-house chairs and tables (& Linen)?

  • Sound and lighting?

  • Transportation?

  • Venue planners or coordinators?

  • Preferred vendor list?

  • Be sure to ask the venue about all the included amenities and the begin/end times for rentals for all amenities.



Finding your dream wedding venue makes your day even more special in that you are able to create the best experience for yourself and your wedding guests.


PLUS - we're here to capture all the fine details of your beautiful venue and space so we want you to be happy with the venue you choose1


Your wedding venue is heavily influenced by your style, wedding theme and your overall guest experience.




Happy Venue Hunting!


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Luxury Wedding Photographer, Portrait Photographer, Engagements & Families. North Carolina Wedding Photographer local to Nashville, Knoxville, Asheville, and Raleigh. Serving North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee & available for destination weddings world wide.

Liz Williams Photography is a Luxury Wedding Photographer serving primarily Tennessee and North Carolina, and available for world-wide travel.

Copyright © 2025 Liz Williams Photography. All rights reserved.

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