When you were a little girl, did you often fantasize about your wedding? I know I did. I wanted 10 bridesmaids, a 6 tier cake and The Monkees would play at my reception (Yes, I am that old !) I am so giddy when it comes to weddings. I love how many options enable the bridal couple to plan any wedding they wish. It is so cool to see how different people’s tastes, preferences, and cultural traditions shine through in their nuptial celebration.
We’re Having A Wedding!
In our family, we’ve got a very special wedding coming up. My daughter is tying the knot next year and we are all so thrilled. I am extremely proud of everything she has accomplished and cannot wait to watch her walk down the aisle. From my experience with my own wedding, I know choosing the perfect venue is not only the first step, but probably one of the most difficult decisions to make.
Choosing The Perfect Wedding Venue:
When you plan a wedding, so much has to be taken into consideration. From choosing your bridesmaids to the song that will play for your first dance, every detail matters. When we finally settled on the date for Chelsea’s wedding, we went full speed ahead in choosing the venue. Who knew there was so much you had to consider before choosing the perfect wedding venue!
Setting The Budget: Once you set the date for the wedding, the next thing you need to do is set your budget. Once you have an idea of how much you can afford, you can start to break that number down into pieces. You will find pretty quickly choosing your venue will be at the top of the budget as it can take up the most of your cash. But, with a lot of investigative work, you can find the perfect wedding venue that will fit not only into your budget, but your esthetic as well.
Size Does Matter! When choosing a venue, size really does matter. I told my daughter before we could go full speed ahead with choosing a venue, we had to have at least an idea of how many guests they were inviting. The last thing you want to do is choose a venue that comfortably accommodates 100 and you have 200 on your list!
Next, you want to consider how you want the layout of your venue to be. Do you require a dance floor? How about plenty of walking room in between the tables? Some couples prefer very large spaces, even if the guest list isn’t that long. Others like a smaller, more intimate room, where family and friends can easily find each other and enjoy a good chit-chat. When speaking with the venue coordinator, ask about the minimum and maximum amount of people the room can hold.
To Cater Or Not To Cater? When shopping around for a wedding venue, catering is something that you’ll have to take into consideration. Of course, pricing is always a primary concern, but do not forget to inquire what the venue will and will not allow as far as food and beverages. Some venues are very open to having outside caterers come in to serve, while others will strictly have you use their own people. If you decide to go with the venue’s catering service, do not forget that you have the right to a taste-test. Essentially, it will help you decide whether the food is the right fit for your preferences and is exactly what you’re looking for!
Talk with the venue organizer to see what their requirements are if you were to bring in your own catering service. Be sure to ask if you need to provide the flatware, plates, and serving platters, etc. Will you be required to pay additional venue insurance? Is there a full kitchen where the caterers can set up? Are you allowed to serve alcohol and if so, do you need a permit? What about trash? Are you required to remove it or is there a service to take care of that?
How’s The Lighting? When you are shopping for a venue, make sure to ask what type of lighting is available. Some venues provide lighting, while others have the bare minimum and you will need to supplement. Be sure you consider all of the reception areas (from cocktail/lounging areas to the dining area). Does your venue offer lighting with dimmers that help create a soft, romantic ambiance? That is great for the dance area, but not so much for the food area! Furthermore, venues that specialize in weddings will often have different colored lights, so you can choose one or a combination that will adhere to your wedding’s color theme.
Play It Again DJ! Make sure to inquire about the venue’s sound system, or if the venue has one at all. Some venues will require you rent a sound system or have a DJ readily equipped with one. If the venue does not have its own internal sound system, you will need to provide speakers and other sound accessories. Be sure to take your budget into consideration and the logistics in terms of delivery and service.
How Long Do You Have The Venue? Another consideration you need to think about is how long the venue is available. Verify how long you have the space and if you go over that time, is there is any additional charge. Also, some venues have multiple rooms to accommodate multiple weddings on the same day.
Some bridal couples will choose to have their wedding on a non-traditional day in order to get the entire place to themselves. Many venues will offer a discount if you have the wedding on a Friday or a Sunday. Many venues offer the space the night before to give you additional time to set up. Much of this will depend on any weddings that take place before or after your own.
Make Sure You Really Love It: Don’t settle for just anything! Make sure that you really love the space – this is your big day so you have a really good idea of what you want! Brides, don’t fear being labelled a “bridezilla” just for having opinions. A wedding is a day that you want to make positively memorable, so don’t let a good sales pitch make you say “Okay” when you’re not too fond of certain elements or the venue itself. Does the place hold sentimental value for you? Do you adore the area in which the venue is located? Have you fallen in love with its architecture and structure? Bridal couples: go for what makes you happy and is realistic for your budget and time.
We Found A Place That We Really Love!
My daughter was lucky enough to land a really amazing place for her wedding venue. When we were shopping around, we made sure to keep all of the aforementioned questions in mind. I am excited to announce Chelsea will be celebrating her wedding at The Historic Train Depot in Newnan, Georgia. This amazing locale is just about an hour from Atlanta, making it super convenient for us. We wanted a DIY wedding and the Train Depot was the perfect fit for us.
The Historic Train Depot is quite a sight to see. Originally built in the 1850s, it served as a freight and passenger depot, so it holds a lot of history. It has a beautiful rustic charm which was a big must for Chelsea. We love all of its detailing from its dark hardwood floors to the exposed brick on the walls. It can accommodate both outdoor and indoor ceremonies and receptions, can hold up to 150 guests and allows us to do our own catering, which we were also looking for.
Stay tuned for my second in a series of posts about The Historic Train Depot. I cannot wait to tell you more about The Historic Train Depot and all it has to offer and pricing, etc. as well as show you a ton of photos we will take on our next visit. Get social and like The Train Depot on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Keep an eye out for #HappilyEverConwell2017 to follow along with all the wedding details!
The Historic Train Depot is located at 60 East Broad Street, Newnan, GA 30263. You can reach Ellen at 770-251-0207 or email her at [email protected] for more details on pricing, availability, etc.
