7 Essential Elements of Good Wedding Venues in Georgia

Weddings in the US cost an average of $35,329.

It's no secret that weddings aren't cheap, and a big part of that budget goes toward your venue. When you're looking for the perfect place to host your festivities, you should know exactly what to look for among the many wedding venues in Georgia.

Choosing the perfect venue is a combination of personal preference and good planning. In order to plan properly, there are some major details to consider that are often overlooked.

But this guide tells you exactly what to look for so no detail is missed. Keep reading to learn about the 7 most important elements of wedding venues.

1. Choosing Your Venues vs Choosing Your Date

One of the first decisions you have to make is what your wedding date will be. Or is what venue you'll be holding the reception at? The answer to that depends on personal preference, but there are some things you'll want to consider.

If you select a wedding date before selecting a venue, you're limiting your options to what's available at that time. But if you choose your venue first, you might not get the weekend or season you want. 

Remember that your venue will set the entire tone of your party. That's why most couples choose the venue first and then base the date on the availability of that space.

But another important component of timelines is when you should choose your venue. The best wedding venues in Georgia are usually booked between 12 and 18 months in advance. Meaning that if you have a particular place in mind, you better go and see it well before wedding season starts.

2. Location, Location, Location

Classic brides tend toward ballrooms and country clubs, bohemian brides gravitate toward big open spaces that they can decorate from scratch, and country brides might look at barnyard-style venues. Deciding between indoor, outdoor, and open-concept is a big reflection on who you are as a bride. It can also make or break your decor plans. 

When choosing your location, you'll also want to think about accessibility and transportation. It's important that it's not too out of the way for guests to comfortably get to and from the venue. It should be relatively easy to find and easy to access by all manners of transportation.

Where your venue is geographically is particularly important if you have different venues for the ceremony and the reception. You'll need to know how long it takes to get from one venue to the other. You'll also need your guests and vendors to be able to make it from one part of the wedding to the other without any unnecessary hassle.

3. What’s Included?

Some venues will take care of all the little details for you. That means you just have to pick the venue, and they handle everything from catering, to table settings, to the wedding cake. 

Other venues give you more flexibility to choose your own vendors. Often, they'll at least have a list of recommended vendors that they've worked with before and trust.

You'll also need to consider whether you're holding your ceremony and reception in the same venue. If you are, can the venue support that? Make sure you're asking the right questions.

Once you know what your venue can and cannot do, and to what extent you'll engage their assistance, make sure you find out the cost. Most wedding venues in Georgia will have a flat fee for the venue, with additional costs for anything they take care of on your behalf.

4. Size Matters

In the wedding world, size matters. You can't put 300 guests into a venue with a capacity for 100. And while that's obvious enough, you also need to make sure that your 300-capacity venue will have room for your 300 guests after the tables, chairs, buffet, bar, and dance floor are set up. 

At the same time, you don't want a space that's too big for the number of people attending. With too much extra room, the venue won't have the intimate feeling you need at a wedding. And filling that space with decor and other extras can end up costing a small fortune.

The best way to figure out if you have the right amount of space is to visit the venue while another wedding is taking place. Try and visit a wedding with a comparable number of guests, so you get a good idea of space after everything 0 and everybody - is set up. Don't forget to check that there's enough room in the parking lot as well.

In the case that you have your heart set on a venue that accommodates a limited number of guest, you can always work backward. That is, create your guest list according to how much space you have to work with.

5. Clash of the Curtains

The likelihood that the venue's existing, nonremovable decor matches your colors and theme is very, very low. While the venue doesn't have to match your plans exactly, you should make sure there are no major clashes between walls, carpets, chairs, and curtains, and what you have planned. 

6. Service With A Smile

When you call to arrange your visit to the venue, and during that actual visit, you should get a good idea of what the staff is like.

How easy was it to get through to the venue? How quickly did they set up your meeting? How did they answer your questions?

Answers to these questions and more will give you a good indication of smoothly the venue runs and what you can expect from them on the big day. Not only will great staff make your guests feel comfortable and cared for, but they'll also lighten your load up to and including the day of your wedding. 

7. Budgeting

Probably the biggest consideration for your venue and your wedding, in general, is your budget. Venues can range in price in the tens of thousands of dollars. You'll want to know what you can afford before you go making any appointments.

A good rule of thumb is to allocate 10-15% of your overall budget on your venue. But if the venue includes things like catering or table setting, that can quickly go up to more than 20%.

Choose One of the Best Wedding Venues in Georgia

Among your first steps after getting engaged is deciding whether your venue or your date is more important. Once you have that nailed down, you'll need to consider logistical items such as location, size, and cost. After that, think about little details that make a big difference, such as the courtesy of the staff and how the existing decor might work with your vision.

And when you're ready to choose, choose one of the best wedding venues in Georgia. Farm weddings are the rustic, charming choice for any Georgia bride .Contact us today to set up your appointment.