In Search of Perfection – Choosing a Wedding Reception Venue

Finding Your Perfect Wedding Venue

Your soul mate has just popped the question, you have the bling to prove it, now what!? The quest to find your dream wedding venue begins!

Even though pretty much every aspect of a wedding is optional these days – wearing a suit instead of a dress, forgoing the flowers or skipping your wedding cake – there’s one thing you can’t do without: a venue.

It’s one of the most challenging decisions in your wedding planning journey and is absolutely pivotal in setting the tone for your entire day. Here are our tips and tricks to help navigate how to choose a wedding venue.

Define Your Vision

Start by envisioning the type of wedding you desire. Consider factors like theme, ambiance, guest list size, indoor or outdoor preference, and any specific requirements or amenities important to you. By visiting different venues – with styles like industrial vibe, rustic vineyard feel, Hamptons style, modern touch, outdoor marquee, elegant ballroom or art deco charmer – you’ll then find the style that best resonates with you and your personality.

Trust your gut instinct – you’ll know your venue search is over when your heart skips a beat and tells you this is the one!

Set a Budget

Determine your venue budget, keeping in mind additional costs such as catering, décor, and entertainment. Does the venue itself have extra charges not included in their package price? It’s important to ensure the venue cost aligns with your overall wedding budget as it’s no use overspending if you don’t need to.

Check out our Free Wedding Budget Template to assist you to budget and plan for your wedding day and make sure that the right venue for you has no hidden expenses or things that you’ve forgotten to account for.

Venue Capacity & Layout

The most crucial aspect of your wedding venue is its capacity. Whether you’re planning an intimate wedding or a large celebration, it’s essential to ensure you can seat all your loved ones comfortably.

Knowing how many guests you plan to invite before looking at venue options will save you from headaches further down the track. You want to choose a venue that suits your guest list numbers rather than either struggling to fill a place when numbers are on the intimate size, or cramming everyone into a space that’s too small.

Next evaluate the layout of the space, including the ceremony area, reception room, dance floor, and any additional facilities you may require.

Also consider the style of tables on offer – round tables, long tables, or both. Be strategic with table layouts and always ask the venue to provide you guidance. Their staff will know best as they do this day in day out, so rely on their support to get the most out of your day!

Venue Location

Consider the convenience and accessibility of the wedding location for you and your guests. Include factors like distance, parking, accommodation and transportation options.

For a reception farther away or if you’re inviting out-of-town guests, check if there are nearby hotels for your guests to stay overnight.

Take into account the location’s climate and choose a venue that offers comfort and convenience for your wedding party and guests. This is especially important when it comes to ceremony options or outdoor venues, and the date you’re looking to get married. Consider climate control systems, and backup plans in case of inclement or hot weather on your wedding date, especially if you’re planning an outdoor wedding ceremony.

Preparing for Melbourne Weather

Even though you might have your mind set on a gorgeous outdoor ceremony location, the weather may have other plans.

Melbourne is known for its unpredictable weather, so when searching for your perfect venue, it would be wise to look for a venue that offers both outdoor and indoor ceremony options.

If you can’t decide, then why not choose a ceremony and reception venue that allows you to enjoy both settings? Start your celebration by exchanging your vows outside, followed by dinner and dancing inside, to truly get the best of both worlds.

Amenities & Services

It might be tempting to try and save costs by hiring a reception space only, and then sourcing additional wedding vendors to provide services such as catering, décor and florals.

But if you don’t want to spend months stressing about all these details, then make sure to look for a venue that provides a full-service package covering all the essentials. These include things such as wedding coordination, front-of-house staff, in-house catering, beverages, a VIP suite, AV equipment, tableware and décor.

Having a team of experienced wedding coordinating staff at hand allows you to ask for advice about everything from styling and set up of the venue, to meal selections and timing, so that your big day will turn out exactly how you envision it to be.

Atmosphere & Style

Choose a venue that reflects your personal style and complements the aesthetic you envision for your perfect wedding. Consider factors like architectural features, décor options, and the overall ambiance of the space. Is the reception room a blank canvas making it easy to style with your personalised touch? Or are there certain elements that may be challenging to style with, such as a feature wall or decorative elements that can’t be removed?

Look for a wedding venue that offers flexibility for customisation and personalisation and discuss your specific requirements and wedding style to ensure your vision can be realised. If a venue is unable to accommodate the request, can they suggest alternatives to still achieve the same outcome? This is a mark of great wedding venue staff – their expertise comes into play to ensure your dreams can still be realised.

Visit & Evaluate

Schedule visits to potential venues to assess the space and other rooms first-hand. Pay attention to details like cleanliness, maintenance, acoustics, lighting, and overall comfort.

Whether it’s your first time visiting a wedding venue or the millionth venue you’ve seen, go with an open mind and also some questions to make sure staff can accommodate your needs. The venue representative should put you at ease and guide you through this process. Also take videos and images whilst onsite as after seeing many venues, they tent to all blur all into one!

Use our free Wedding Venue Comparison Checklist to set your priorities and make it easier to compare the features of different venues.

Contracts & Policies

Review the venue’s contract carefully, paying attention to terms and conditions, cancellation policies, payment schedules, and any restrictions or limitations that may apply such as confetti throwing and finish times.

Reviews & Recommendations

Research online reviews from Google and ABIA and seek recommendations from friends, family, or wedding planners who have experience with the venue. Learn from others’ experiences to make an informed decision and a memorable celebration for your special day.

Bramleigh Estate: Your Perfect Venue

If you’re looking for an award-winning wedding reception venue with capacity for 100-350 guests, coupled with amazing food and service to match, look no further than Bramleigh Estate.

Staffed by a team of experienced wedding specialists, situated on the edge of the stunning Yarra Valley and only 20 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, come discover Bramleigh Estate today!

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