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.