How to choose the perfect wedding venue.

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you will make during wedding planning.

The right venue has the power to wow your guest, create unique experiences, and build everlasting memories. To help you choose the right wedding venue, we have a list of characteristics that will also inspire you to create a one-of-a-kind celebration. 

Budget. 

Wedding plans must always begin with a sincere talk about money, and once your budget for the wedding is settled, you can now begin to write your guest list. After you finish with those two tasks, you will know the size of the event you need to plan, and you can start looking for venues that can accommodate the number of guests you will receive. 

Style. 

If you have a clear idea of your wedding theme or the style you are looking for, you will know exactly what you are looking for.

For example, if you want to host a rustic wedding, you should probably stay away from hotel ballrooms and look more into outdoor venues, barns, or gardens. Also, keep in mind what is included within the rental of the venue if they offer tables, chairs, lighting, and other amenities that match the aesthetic you envision. 

Unique features. 

Wedding venues tend to be generic, and they offer a square space with a dancefloor and a space for your ceremony. If you wish for an uncommon and unique wedding, you need to find a wedding venue that matches your expectations.

Search for beautiful scenarios that can serve as a natural backdrop for your ceremony, historic elements like original chandeliers from a distant era, or outstanding décor items. The more a venue already includes in terms of decoration, the less you need to spend. 

Location. 

One of the biggest reasons why a couple chooses a wedding venue is because of its location. Whether you want your venue to be close to home or perhaps away from the hassle of the city, you can always find the perfect location for you and your guests.

If you organize a wedding away from the city, try to make arrangements with a nearby hotel or any other accommodation type, so your guests find it easy to attend to your big day. 

Services. 

Wedding venues can offer a full service, a list of preferred vendors, or a hire only. Here are some of the pros and cons of each, so you know which options suits you best. 

- Full service. It usually means your wedding venue includes renting the space, chairs, tables, decoration, flowers, catering, bar, lighting, and even other related services such as wedding photographer and wedding cake. 

- List of preferred vendors. Often, wedding venues do not offer a full list of services, but they have great relationships with trustworthy vendors who already know the venue and perform flawlessly. Those vendors often offer discounts when you hire them. 

- Hire only. This type of venue will only include the rental of the space, and that is it. It is a flexible alternative for couples who already have their vendors or wish to plan a personalized event. 

Regardless of the type of venue you choose, always ask if there is an extra charge if you want to bring your vendors. And find out about set up and take down fees, as many venues do not include that service. Alcohol is another important service you should discuss with potential venues, ask about their alcohol license and if they allow you to bring your own. 

Top 5 Wedding venue trends.

Weddings are finally back, and if you are looking for some inspiration to plan your 2021 or 2022 wedding, we have the top 5 trends for wedding venues. Choosing the right venue can mark the difference between a traditional wedding and an unforgettable one, so make sure you choose wisely. 

Outdoor venues.  

The biggest trend now is throwing a wedding in an open space; after all the restrictions we faced during 2020, all couples want is to spend their wedding day breathing fresh air. Outdoor wedding venues are magical, usually nested within a green environment and with plenty of options to host your ceremony. 

Your wedding style can easily adapt to several venues; for example, if you want a summer wedding, you can have it at a beachfront location.

For spring and autumn, head to the southeast mountains and enjoy nature to its fullest, with blooming flowers and green trees all around during springtime. And the beauty of fall foliage with its red, orange, and yellow colors. 

Experience-filled wedding. 

Traditional wedding venues usually keep the flow of your wedding restricted; once the ceremony is over, everyone heads to the tables and enjoys dinner, then it's time to hit the dancefloor, and the experience ends there.

Instead of a common wedding venue, you can look for a unique one with many spaces to entertain your guests. A fireplace, an open space to play lawn games, a private space for some relaxation and quiet time, are some of the unique features a wedding venue can offer to enhance the experience. 

Out of the box location.

Are not you over the classic wedding celebrated indoors with artificial light and lots of fabric covering the walls? Well, your guests too, that is why couples are looking for locations out of the common. Perhaps a destination wedding is too much, but you can always find a hidden gem within your country or state. 

Planning a wedding in a secluded environment with natural wonders all around, the sound of the wind hitting the trees, and birds chirping will always be a better idea than a busy street building with the smell of smog and cars honking.  

Sustainability. 

A trend that has been going strong for years is sustainability; couples focus on leaving less damage after their wedding, avoiding single-use plastics, fireworks, and unnecessary stationery elements. But now we see a new approach headed to sustainable décor, and the best way to reduce decoration is by finding a wedding venue with beautiful surroundings and design, a place that needs little to non-intervention.

Wedding themes like bohemian, rustic, and minimalistic fit right into this trend.

You can find a wedding venue that offers natural backdrops for your ceremonies like an old three, a gazebo, or a flower field, instead of building an artificial wall with cut flowers and foliage. Not only will you save money, but you will also avoid the use of nature for a six-hour event. All those decorations usually end up in the trash by the next day. 

 Meaningful and intimate venues. 

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event; you probably want to make it memorable and all about who you are as a couple. Your wedding venue can reflect those characteristics and add a touch of your personality. Find a meaningful location; for example, if you met during hiking or if he proposed on a mountain top, you could find a venue that offers the same atmosphere and makes your photos and memories look like a fairytale. 

Another big plus couples are finding on venues is the level of privacy they offer. It has become a big trend to prefer those wedding venues that are secluded and offer privacy for a wedding.

Some wedding venues book more than one wedding per weekend since they offer multiple spaces, and this ends up in a bad experience for everyone because your big day is competing with someone else's. 

Unbeatable views. 

Photos are everlasting memories, and with social media rising in popularity, couples want their guests to enjoy amazing views and opportunities to snap some unique images.

That is why a wedding venue with a view is such a popular choice amongst couples. Think about the landscape you enjoy the most and start from there; perhaps you are a city couple who loves skyscrapers lighting up as backdrop, or on the opposite, you enjoy the beauty of clouds forming along a mountain top.  

We hope you now know where to start when looking for your wedding venue, and we are certain you will choose the right one. If you are still looking for the perfect wedding venue for your outdoor, rustic, or secluded celebration, make sure you stop by our website and discover the wonders we offer at Silver Heart Lodge. 

We are a private mountain top wedding venue, ideal for unique celebrations. Our facility is located at the top of Bent Mountain, with 40 acres of nature surrounding and an elevation of 3000 ft above the sea that provides the most magnificent views of the Roanoke Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Contact us to start planning the wedding of your dreams.