Street Peeper Zimbabwe Street Peeper Bridal Issue 2017 | Page 13

While pretty much every aspect of a wed-
ding is optional, from wearing a suit in-
stead of a dress to ditching the flowers to
forgoing the wedding cake , there's one
thing you can't skip: a venue! After all,
you've got to have somewhere for your
friends and family to gather and celebrate!
But finding the perfect venue isn't easy.
Getting the
Right Venue
There are so many options to choose from,
whether you're looking for a stunning
barn, an elegant ballroom, a cozy restau-
rant, or a quiet stretch of beach. So we
asked a few wedding planners to share
their top tips for finding your dream
venue.
Talk to a Planner First
Yes, before you start looking at spaces!
"Planners are much more familiar with the
capabilities of a space, the layout, and the
time and items you'll need to really trans-
form it," says Alliey Kline- Weichelt, lead
planner and CEO of Sash & Bow in Green
Bay, Wisconsin. If there's a creative way to
make it unique or a quirk about the space
that could make your vision hard to ac-
complish, your planner will know!
Choose a Venue that Aligns with Your Vi-
sion
"This might seem obvious, but seek out
venues that fit the aesthetic you have in
mind, says Kait Costanti, co-owner and
creative director of Bash in Bozeman,
Montana. "If you're planning a modern
wedding, look at art galleries , well-
designed restaurant spaces, or ware-
houses. On t e flip side, a wedding incorpo-
rating more natural elements works well
with outdoor venues such as parks, back-
yards, and ranches. Choosing a venue that
fits in with (and enhances) your theme
will enable your wedding to feel more
connected to the space."
Know Your Guest List
"Knowing how many guests you're expect-
ing to invite before you go looking at ven-
ues will help save you from headaches and
heartaches down the road," says Holly
Patton Olsen, wedding planner and owner
of Seattle's Perfectly Posh Events. "If you
choose a venue that is too small for your
guest list and more guests RSVP 'yes' than
you can fit in the space, you might be in a
tough situation."
Couples often underestimate how many
people they will invite (or how many their
parents will want to add!), so have that
conversation early to know what you're
really working with. "This will also help
you break down your budget, as some
costs are very dependent on the number of
people you're inviting," Olsen says.
Remember Your Budget
"It's more than just how much renting the
space will cost," says Kline-Weichelt, since
venues with in- house catering (like ho-
tels) will charge a price-per-plate. "Decor
and floral design will also drive the cost
up." Know how much your total budget is,
as well as approximately what your design
will cost to execute.
If adding that on top of the cost of using
the space blows your budget out of the
water, you'll either need to scale back your
design or look at more affordable spaces.
Adds Olsen, "Break down your overall
budget by category, prioritizing more
funds for vendors that are a higher prior-
ity.
If you select your venue first, and then
realize it's more than you should have
allocated, it's anuphill battle to stay within
your budget when you still have a dozen
other people to hire!" Not sure how prices
break down in your region? Consult with a
local planner to get information that's
more specific than the national averages
often found online.