You're Engaged! Things to Do Before Booking Your Wedding Venue
- SpringHaus Farm Weddings
- Dec 5, 2024
- 6 min read
You're Engaged! Things to Do Before Booking Your Wedding Venue
First of all, congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time, and now that beautiful ring is on your finger, it's time to dive into the wedding planning process. One of the first and most important decisions you'll make is choosing your wedding venue! Before you even start searching for wedding venues or booking tours, there are a few key things you will want to do to set the stage for a smooth and stress-free planning process.
In this blog we will discuss and share a helpful guide to the top things you should do before booking your wedding venue! To save you lots of time and worry, just go ahead and set up a tour with SpringHaus Farm, it's really the only venue you will need to visit and fall in love with in NE Georgia!
1. Set a Budget
Before you even start daydreaming about those breathtaking venues, it’s important to set a budget for your entire wedding. Your venue will likely be your largest expense (about 1/3 to 1/2 your budget), so knowing what you can afford will help narrow down your choices. Consider the overall amount you’re willing to spend on the entire wedding (including dress, catering, entertainment, photographer, bakery, etc.) and allocate a portion of it for the venue. Don't forget to factor in hidden costs, such as taxes, gratuities, parking fees, and potential overtime charges, bar etc. It is very important you work with a venue that doesn't have hidden fees, that are transparent in their pricing and has everything online like SpringHaus Farm Wedding & event venue located only 15 miles from Athens, GA.
Tip: Use a wedding budget spreadsheet or app to track expenses and stay organized as you move through the planning process.
2. Draft Your Guest List
The size of your guest list will play a significant role in choosing the venue that will work best for your special day. Do you envision an intimate ceremony with just close family and friends? Or are you planning a grand celebration with hundreds of guests? Start by making a rough guest list, even if you’re not sure about every invitee yet. Most venues have a guest count minimum or maximum, and knowing your numbers early on will help you choose a space that suits your vision. Remember, the larger the guest list, the more you’ll need to budget for catering, seating, and additional space. If you are thinking of inviting 200, know about 10-20% will not RSVP, will still come and may possibly bring a +1 or kids that weren't on the invite. If you are sending 200 invites, prepare for 200+!
SpringHaus Farm has seating for 250 comfortably and is located about 15 miles outside of Athens, GA.
3. Choose a Wedding Date or Season
While you don’t need to have a specific date locked in, it’s helpful to narrow down a timeframe. Some venues have limited availability, especially during peak wedding seasons (spring and early fall for NE Georgia), so deciding on a general timeframe will help guide your search. If there is a specific date you are really looking for, make sure the venue you are looking at has that date available and are transparent about their open dates prior to setting up a tour! Check out SpringHaus Farm's availability for 2025, as a new venue they have open dates in peak season, but they won't last long!
Consider the season and climate when choosing a date! SpringHaus Farm has an outdoor ceremony space so the spring/fall are peak season for most couples wanting to get married in their picturesque pine tree ceremony space!
4. Decide on the Type of Venue
What kind of vibe are you envisioning? Do you imagine a rustic barn wedding, like SpringHaus Farm? Or possibly an elegant ballroom, or a destination wedding on a beach? Narrowing down the type of venue that fits your vibe will help you decide on what to search. Some venues lend themselves to particular themes, so if you're dreaming of something specific, like an outdoor pine tree ceremony space, or a barn wedding, keep that in mind as you start your search.
5. Consider the Location
Think about the location of your venue carefully. Do you want a wedding that’s close to home or are you considering a destination wedding? If many of your guests will be traveling, you’ll need to factor in accommodations, travel logistics, and transportation. Make sure the venue either offers onsite accommodations or gives you links and assistance to local areas that offers lodging around the area.
Also, consider the accessibility of the venue—especially if you have elderly or disabled guests. A venue with parking options, ADA compliance, and easy access is important for inclusivity like SpringHaus Farm offers is very important if you have close family that is in need of ADA accommodations.
6. Research the Venue’s Capacity
The size of the venue should match your guest list, but it’s also important to consider the flow and feel of the space. A venue that’s too large may feel empty if you are looking for a smaller more intimate wedding, while a smaller venue may become overcrowded with a large guest list if you are inviting everyone you know.
Make sure to ask about the venue's maximum capacity up front and find out what their maximum and minimum occupancy is, and whether they have options for different-sized events (e.g., an indoor/outdoor space or separate rooms for cocktail hour and reception).
7. Evaluate Your Style and Personality
The venue should reflect both your style and your partner's personality. If you’re more traditional, a ballroom or country club might be perfect. If you’re into a more laid-back, a barn, or outdoor vibe venue could be ideal.
Think about what atmosphere you want to create for your special day as this will influence everything from your décor to your attire, catering, and entertainment.
8. Check for Venue Flexibility
Not all wedding venues offer the same flexibility when it comes to vendors, catering, and even the wedding date like SpringHaus Farm does. Some venues may have exclusive catering contracts, while others allow you to bring in your own vendors or choose your own caterers, DJ and such. Make sure you understand the rules and restrictions before making a decision.
If you have your heart set on certain vendors (e.g., a photographer, band, or florist), be sure the venue allows them. Additionally, consider whether the venue offers all-inclusive packages or if you’ll need to book additional services separately.
Ask the Right Questions
Before you sign anything, make sure to ask the venue a list of questions to avoid any surprises down the line. These should be answered on their website if they are transparent and up front with their information, but if not, here are some key questions:
What is included in the rental fee? (tables, chairs, linens, etc.)
What is the cancellation policy?
How many events are scheduled on the same day?
Are there any hidden costs?
How long can we use the venue for? (Is there a time limit on your wedding or reception?)
Having these answers in advance will give you peace of mind and help you make a more informed decision. SpringHaus Farm is proudly transparent on all of this information and makes sure you have these answers before even scheduling a tour.
Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day. By taking the time to carefully consider these important steps before booking, you’ll be in a much better position to find the venue that’s perfect for your wedding vision, guest list, and budget.
In the beginning, just take a deep breath, enjoy the planning process, and remember that this is your special day and it is all about creating a special day that reflects you and your partner’s love story.
~Happy planning from SpringHaus Farm Wedding & Event Venue
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, we hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service and dedication. They also have far less turnover than corporate owned or investor owned venues. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map. Below is a shout out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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