Hey there! Laurel from Keane's Landing Wedding Venue in Seattle. Whether you’re planning a winter wedding or tying the knot during the holidays, there’s something special about saying “I do” during the festive busy season. But while the holidays are full of exciting opportunities, they can also bring their own challenges. To make sure you make the right choice for your wedding venue, here are our top 3 tips for picking the right wedding venue during the holidays.
1. Consider Accessibility: As the weeks grow colder and more festive, it’s important to consider accessibility when picking your wedding venue. Ensure that your guests won’t struggle too much to get to the venue by considering locations with nearby public transport links, airports and parking. If you’re able to book a venue in a central location, that should guarantee that even the most far-flung guests can find their way there with ease. One of your top considerations when selecting the right wedding venue during the holidays is the weather. For example, if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, you need to make sure there’s enough shelter in case of rain or snow (depending on where you’re located). If you intend to set-up the venue in your backyard or garden, then make sure the ground is hard and sturdy enough to hold the equipment. Indoors, you should also think about insulation if there’s liable to be a chill outside, and adequate heating if it pelts down rain or snows.
2. Hotel Accommodation: As your guests travel from near and far for your special day, you need to think about how you’ll accommodate them. When picking your venue, look for ones with a range of nearby hotels and guesthouses. Hotels are usually used to accommodating wedding parties over the holidays, and you can often get great discounts when booking in bulk. During the holidays, places tend to get full, fast. You don’t want to book a venue, only to have it be filled to the brim with people and not have enough room to move around. Therefore, make sure to take the time to properly research the size of the venue that you’re considering and consider how many people it can accommodate, then include a cushion of people to allow for the influx of people during the holiday season. It’s also a good idea to visit the venue during the holidays specifically, this will give you an idea of what the situation is like in regards to crowd level and potential weather.
3. Speak to Previous Guests: One of the best ways to make sure you’re picking the right wedding venue over the holidays is to talk to guests who’ve visited it before. Reading reviews online will give you a good indication of the kind of services and facilities the venue offers, and speaking to friends or family who’ve had similar celebrations at the same venue will give you an even better insight. This should help you to decide if it’s the right spot for you. The last thing you want during the holidays is to go way over budget, so it’s important to take into consideration pricing while also factoring in any potential discounts available. Many holiday-themed venues such as ski lodges, Christmas cabin rentals and vacation rentals have discounts available during the holiday season. Also keep in mind any additional costs such as catering, photography or decorations that might not be included in the base cost. While it’s usually worthwhile to splurge a little on the most important day of your life, it’s still best to stay within budget.
When picking your venue, don’t forget to also consider the range of services they offer and whether they can accommodate your preferred food, entertainment and styling ideas. Aim to book your venue at least six months in advance to give yourself enough time to plan everything in detail and to ensure availability during the busy holidays.
These top 3 tips should help you pick the perfect wedding venue for your special day during the holiday season. Enjoy the excitement of your festive wedding, knowing that you’ve made the right choice.