Feature Image by Erica Serrano Photography

Knots ‘N Such is a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist

Drive around the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area, and you will come across some of the most beautiful wedding venues.  Today we are here to help you to choose which of these fantastic spaces fits your wedding and your vision.  Poppy Belle Design, Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, gives some tips for making this important decision, and helping you craft the wedding of your dreams.

PBD Inhouse Photographer, Brant Daniel Photography

• Know your total event budget and Estimate your guest list

Last blog we talked about that b word – budget.  When choosing your venue, it comes up again as important because your budget will help you determine which venues are realistically feasible for you to use on your wedding day. In this market, the average venue for an average wedding is about 20% of the budget. A wedding planner can help you craft and manage your budget, so it’s wise to get one involved from the very beginning.

Before you contact venues, create your guest list. You need to know how much space you’ll need for 85% of your guest list to sit down for dinner.

Photo by Azul Photography

• Talk to a planner and Research venues in the area

A wedding planner, like Knots ‘N Such, can be a tremendous help in casting your vision and finding venues that fit your needs. When making your initial budget, determine if a wedding planner fits into that budget and will help you be satisfied at the end of your day. At the very least,  a month of coordinator is essential and can offer advice even during the planning process.

Also, research the venues in your area, check out their websites to see what they offer.  Research photographers that have been at those venues, so you can see the venue as captured by a camera. Does the venue have photo worthy views and spots that will make your photos beautiful?  If you’re the type of bride that likes organization, create a spreadsheet with contact information and details you can gather from their website.

Thirteenth Moon Photography LLC

• Find venues that fit your vision of the big day

Are you planning an industrial chic wedding?  A wedding with unique architectural features?  Are you planning ceremony and reception to be in the same space?  I suggest sitting down with your significant other and writing down your must haves, like outdoor spaces or a space the bridal party can stay the night before.  These must haves will help in finding that venue that fits you and your significant other’s wedding vision.

Photographs by Stephanie

• Find out what’s included and preferred vendors

Each venue is a bit different and has different requirements.  In your planning process, find out what’s required or expected during the wedding time.  Do they provide in-house catering?Do you have to use one of their caterers?  Do they have a list of other vendors they require you choose from because they have a working relationship with them?  Is it an all inclusive type of venue? These sort of factors will play into your decision making.

Casey Rose Photography

The venue is the focal point that puts the wedding vision into motion.  It creates the ambiance, the inspiration, the storyboard of your big day.  Like we said earlier, a wedding planner, can be such a great resource in helping craft your wedding day.  Poppy Belle Design, a Raleigh Wedding Planner and Florist, would love to help you personalize and customize your wedding, starting with that initial venue decision.  Contact us today!

XOXO,

Amy