Module 12 : Choosing
a Wedding Venue

The basics of choosing
a wedding venue
About wedding venue logistics

How to watch out for hidden extras

About negotiating with your chosen venue

By the end of this module,
you will know:

The basics of choosing
a wedding venue

About wedding venue logistics

How to watch out for hidden extras

How to narrow venues down and visiting them

About negotiating with your chosen venue

12.1  : Introduction

 As a wedding planner,
if you can get the venue right you're going to

bring a massive smile to the happy couple's faces.

Choosing a venue is about much more than looking
at one and thinking "That's pretty, I'll go for that".

Beneath that sparkly exterior, there may be some hidden extras looming.

12.2  : Wedding Venue Basics

First of all, you need to satisfy
these wedding venue basics:

Is the location right? If your couple is getting married at a church or registry office, they won't want to spend ages travelling from one place to the next.

Is it available?

Is it within budget?

What sort of packages does it offer?

12.3  : Wedding Venue
Logistics

Logistics are about much more than ensuring everyone
gets to one

place at the right time.

If your couple is getting married outdoors,
or using a marquee at a venue, your logistics
will be all about the weather. In addition, you'll need to consider those smaller details,
such as whether you can get a portable toilet,
whether a generator
will be available, and how you're going to keep everyone warm.

Other logistical considerations include the time of year the couple
might be getting
married.

Barn weddings are cute during the summer when the weather is warm and dusky, but they soon become a pain when the rain starts to pour and the hem of the bride's dress is threatening to turn mud-brown. When suggesting venues, consider the weather.

Other logistical
considerations include:

Does it have enough room for the guests? Always encourage
your couple to overestimate as opposed to being conservative.

What are the opening
and closing times?

Is it easy to find?

Is there enough parking?

Does it feature accommodation? If not, is there any nearby?

12.4  : Services Provided

While some couples love the idea of deciding on every small detail for themselves and using external services to meet their needs, others will look for a venue that does everything.

To prepare for both, make sure you present venues that offer a full range of services, as well as those that are prepared to let you draw in extra help.

When considering whether to draw in extra help, you'll probably find that there are additional
charges.

Couples attempting to save on alcohol may want to provide their own wine. When this happens, the venue is likely to charge a corking fee.

If the couple's
rational for making such choices
is to save money as opposed to making their wedding more bespoke, you'll need to do some calculations to ensure they're achieving exactly that.

12.5  : Watching Out for Hidden
Extras

Like all service providers, wedding venues are likely to carry hidden

extras.

From the aforementioned corking fees through to sales tax, you need to scrutinise everything
carefully.

Again, if hidden extras crop up and there's a chance you can avoid them by drawing in (reliable) outside
help, take up the chance to do just that.

12.6  : Narrowing Venues Down and Visiting Them

Before you present venues to the couple, you need to narrow them

down.

To do this, form logistical
check-lists, get an idea of the style of wedding they want, and check on their budget.

Look at the venues within reach and determine whether they meet all the essential criteria.
Note the word 'essential' there; it's quite rare that a venue will meet 
all  exact  criteria, 
which  means negotiating with the couple is essential.

12.7  : Negotiating With Your Chosen Venue

Once you've been given the go-ahead to hire a venue, you need to start negotiating.

What you need to negotiate
on will vary according to the couple and the wedding their holding.

However, it can include:

Arrival times

Reserving free rooms for the bride and groom to get ready in