How to Pick the Right Reception Venue
When you’re first engaged there is quite a long to-do list in front of you. Between picking bridesmaids, colors, and the perfect dress you’ll be excited when you’re finally able to scratch something off! While some details can be decided quickly, others will require some extra attention. In my wedding experience, deciding on a wedding reception venue was one of those details!
When it came to selecting my wedding reception venue, I had a lot of options. Being from Southern Louisiana and having family from the New Orleans area, I knew that I wanted a New Orleans style wedding. In such a popular city it would’ve been easy to get overwhelmed with all of the choices. Luckily I had some key factors that I was looking for to select the venue of my dreams that made the decision a lot easier.
Sentimental Value
Sentimental value just adds a deep and meaningful layer to your special day. Whether its your family’s property, where your parents got married, or just important to you and your future hubby, it’s still worth thinking about before selecting your venue. While this may not be a major factor for everyone, it was for me!
Truth be told, I had my mind set on my wedding reception venue since I was eight years old. Back in 2001, I was a flower girl in my aunt’s wedding who had her reception at the same venue. From that night, I always had a special place in my heart for the Balcony Ballroom. While going with this venue would’ve completed my childhood dream, I couldn’t go just off of this value, so I moved on to other factors.
Price
Let’s face it, the wedding industry as a whole is expensive. The worst thing that you can do is commit to a venue without researching others first. Contacting venues and other vendors is easier than ever before with helpful websites and apps like The Knot and Wedding Wire.
The best part about comparing venues is giving yourself another sense of validation if your preferred venue’s pricing is consistent with or cheaper than the others in the industry. Budget was a big factor in my venue selection, so this step was really important to me!
Details
One thing that drew me to the Balcony Ballroom was that it was all-inclusive. This venue includes decorations, food, open bar, and even the DJ. With most venues tacking on extra charges for dance floors, up-lighting, and table cloths, I was pleasantly surprised that these add-ons came included. Aside from myself and my guests, all I had to bring was a cake! Since I was planning my wedding primarily by myself, the less variables the better.
All brides are different, so make sure that your reception venue will be able to accommodate all of your dream plans. Whether its catering, a certain band, or decorations, don’t settle on a venue that might keep these details from happening.
Service & Quality
What good is a great reception venue if you aren’t enjoying it yourself? Your wedding day will be amazing, but there will be some stressful factors throughout that day as well. For me, the stress came early on and by my reception I was able to enjoy myself and my family and friends! I truly believe that the level of service and quality at the Balcony Ballroom was the reason for that.
With my reception venue, I was getting a wedding planner built in! A staff with over 40 years of experience is going to think of everything. There’s just something special about having personal attendants who are working their hardest to make your night unforgettable. Nick and I were able to eat a meal before greeting our guests. The entire night our cups were never empty.
Our personal attendant made sure that we were able to get the most out of our time during the reception. We were able to use our photobooth, make an outfit change, visit with guests, and dance the night away all without a worry in the world. I can’t say enough about the importance of the level of service your venue can offer you.
In an age where the average price of a wedding continues to climb, it is so important to be able to make an informed decision about your wedding vendors. During the days leading up to my wedding I was stressing over a lot of factors, but my reception was not one of them. Save yourself the headache and find a company that will make your special day as blissful as it should be!
I’d say that’s #weddinggoals.
All photos by Jen Menard Photography.
Comments are closed.
Kintan
October 26, 2016 at 8:30 pmWhat an awesome wedding party. You looks absolutely gorgeous bride and your dress is so pretty. I was on there situation, to prepared a wedding party is so hectic and stressful. Even finally, happily ever after and amazing and the best moment that I had in my life. Congrats to you.
Kintan XOX,
http://kintanfashion.blogspot.com
Agnes
October 26, 2016 at 10:11 pmA venue is really a key part of the weeding, thanks for sharing this. Looking forward to planning my own in the future.
Steven McMillian
October 26, 2016 at 11:36 pmI like how you chose your wedding venue. You two did a great job with this wedding. I hope it was memorable as you wanted it to be. I enjoyed reading the post.
Elizabeth Ann
October 27, 2016 at 12:38 amWhat a great venue! Love that it was all inclusive. Mine was not so there was a lot more I had to worry about. These are really great things to consider!
Kaleigh
October 27, 2016 at 5:55 pmI LOVE these photos – you are adorable!! But you’re so right! The venue is such an important part of the day!
Sidney Aldaine
October 27, 2016 at 6:47 pmFriendly staff always eager to help and all-inclusive, I don’t need anymore than that.. Now to your wedding, I really like the style of that place and attention to details, as you said 🙂
Laveena Sengar
October 30, 2016 at 12:23 pmThe venue is one of the most important part of the wedding and you sure did nail it. Beautiful. I am thrilled to see you be so particular about such minute details.
Борка Шаула
October 27, 2016 at 8:37 pmI think you were the star of the night! You are literally shining on all the photos! Plus, you really did a great job, planning everything and staying true to your eightyear old self!
Kintan
October 28, 2016 at 10:30 pmLove to watched your wedding video. You looks so beautiful and gorgeous wedding dress. All together looks really great venue.
Katrina Jean Carter
October 29, 2016 at 7:56 pmCongratulations! It looks like a fabulous time. Thanks for sharing your experience. Wishing abundance in your marriage!
Jasmin N
October 29, 2016 at 8:12 pmAmazing post! Venue is so important when it comes to wedding. We picked ours by trying to find something that’s close to our both backgrounds but still in the city. We found a perfect place & it was wonderful!
~ Jasmin N
Little Things With Jassy
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The Cornish House
October 29, 2016 at 8:17 pmGreat post and thanks for sharing your big day. It looked fabulous and what a lovely venue. I remember my wedding day and venue like yesterday and I think its so important to pick somewhere that you adore. http://www.thecornishhouse.com
Rachael
October 29, 2016 at 9:22 pmAn all-inclusive venue makes things so much easier!! Everything was beautiful! Congrats!
Ellie
October 29, 2016 at 9:34 pmYour big day looked so beautiful! Your gown is just stunning and that little white romper is perfection. Wedding planning is so stressful at times, I wish iI had a post like yours when I was planning my own Wedding Day!
Karoliina Kazi
October 29, 2016 at 10:18 pmFirst of all – congratulations! You two make a beautiful couple and all your pictures are stunning. Looks like you and your guests had lots of fun and enjoyed the venue. Reading your post reminded me of the time when we were planning our wedding. Fantastic tips and points.
Sheri
October 29, 2016 at 11:56 pmYou look amazing! I really love the pictures you shared, you guys are such a sweet couple. I am glad the venue worked out well and that you are happy.
Katja
November 3, 2016 at 11:27 amAww, reading this post and watching your video made me remember my own wedding day! You looked stunning btw! I wish I’d had a comprehensive list like this when I was planning my wedding a year ago but somehow it all came together. Great tips though, will share with folks planning on getting hitched next year though 🙂
Katja xxx
http://www.katnapped.com