When it comes to planning a wedding, it is important to do your research and ask the right questions when booking your vendors. Not only do you want your day to be exactly what you've dreamed of, but also want to ensure that it runs smoothly, with all your vendors coming together seamlessly. Booking your wedding venue will likely be one of the first items you tackle when starting the wedding planning process, as it will be the setting the stage that your entire wedding day will revolve around. Booking your wedding venue isn't just about finding and settling on the prettiest location. There are lots of other factors to take into consideration when choosing your ideal wedding venue.
We've highlighted some of the key questions to ask prior to finalising your wedding venue to ensure that you've picked the perfect location for your special day!
Is The Venue Available?
One of the first questions that you should ask your wedding venue, and one of the most important ones, is whether the venue is available for the wedding date that you've chosen. If you don't have a specific wedding date in mind yet, try to tour a few different venues before settling on one. This will allow you to get a feel for the different spaces and will give you the opportunity to ask about the availability of each venue. If there is one in particular that you fall in love with, having some flexibility around which date you choose can help you lock in the venue of your dreams.
What Is the Venue's Capacity?
Another important consideration to keep in mind when choosing your wedding venue is the capacity. At Keefer Lake Lodge, we have a capacity of 50 for the perfect intimate wedding. This is an important consideration, as many venues – us included, have a strict capacity limit. If you are wanting a large wedding, choosing a venue that can only accommodate a small number of guests isn't the best option. On the other hand, if you are planning an intimate wedding with fewer guests, you might not want to go for a larger venue, as it will end up looking empty.
How Much Decorating Is Needed?
Some venues, such as rustic mountain lodges or hotel ballrooms, come with décor built in, so it eliminates the need for extensive decorating. Other venues, such as barns or lofts will often require decorations to bring the venue to life. On the other hand, some historic venues don't allow decorations to be pinned or stuck to the interior of the buildings, which might mean having to get creative with how you decorate the space you choose.
Here at Keefer Lake Lodge, our views are spectacular for a beautiful mountain wedding in the summer. We have a collection of vendors we can connect you with to bring your complete vision to life.
Is There a Backup Plan in Case of Weather?
Outdoor wedding venues can be amazing for couples looking for a spectacular backdrop for their wedding day. Whether it be a lakeside beach ceremony or a wedding with sweeping mountain views (we have both), there is no question that outdoor venues are stunning. Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate when it comes to weather, so it is always a good idea to ask your wedding venue what their backup plan is when it comes to inclement weather. No one plans for rain on their wedding day, but it can happen, so it is always good to know what your alternative options are.
Is There a Preferred List of Vendors?
Another great question to ask your wedding venue is whether they have a list of preferred wedding vendors. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to planning a wedding, including finding different vendors to provide services like catering, florals, and décor. Choosing vendors from a preferred list provided by the venue can often take a lot of the hassle out of finding vendors yourself. Not only are these vendors trusted by the venue itself, but most of them will have worked with the venue before so they are familiar with the space and what its restrictions are.
Taking the time to not only tour your top venue choices but also to ask them these questions will help you not only get a feel for the venue itself, but also get a feel for how your wedding day will play out if you choose to have your wedding there. At Keefer Lake Lodge, we have both indoor and outdoor options for your wedding, a list of preferred vendors and on-site staff who will work with your wedding planner to make your wedding day truly memorable!