Consider Your Guests ' Experience " If you ' re inviting a lot of out-of-town guests or having a destination wedding , look for a venue that ' s near ( or connected to ) a hotel ," says Kline-Weichelt . " And remember their comfort within the venue , too . The maximum capacity of a room isn ' t often a comfortable amount of space , so ask the venue how many people they can fit comfortably , as well as what is allowed according to the fire code ."
Think About What is Included " If you ' re looking at some venues that are full-service , and some where you can bring in your own vendors and decor , be sure to price everything out ," says Olsen . " A venue with tables , chairs , and linens included might cost more upfront than a venue where you need to rent your own , but you should get an estimate from a rental company to see how they compare when you ' ve added on the price of renting things for yourself ." And remember that the included rental items are often more basic ( white linens , standard flatware , banquet chairs , etc .), so you may still end up paying more to rent items that fit your vision better .
" And if you ' re working with a venue that has in-house catering with a food and beverage minimum , be sure to include the tax and gratuity in your calculations .