What To Consider When Choosing Your Venue

Nothing sets the tone for your wedding day more than your choice of location. From the rustic, natural look of Willows Lodge to the breathtaking sophistication of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle has one of the most diverse collection of venues in the country. So many options can be daunting for even the best decision makers, so here are our tips for finding a spot that truly fits your style!

Step #1: Decide on the 'feeling' or theme for your wedding day. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few categories that should help you get started:

• Rustic/Natural. Exposed wood beams, natural vistas, and earthy tones make places like Snoqualmie Ridge, Salish Lodge, and SODO Park feel comfortable and very Northwest.
• Quintessential Seattle. Icons like the Edgewater and the Space Needle give visiting friends and familya perfect chance to experience a dose of Seattle culture.
• Modern-Chic. Clean lines, beautiful architecture, and retro furnishing make places like Hotel Deca and The W a fabulous choice for the nuevo-chic.
• Simple and Elegant. For example, the Golf Club at Newcastle and the Woodmark Hotel boast breathtaking views that create a unique backdrop for ceremonies and receptions, as well as elegant architecture that makes for timeless photographs.

Step #2: Determine an approximate number of guests. Most venues have restrictions on the maximum number of guests they can comfortably accommodate, and you will find that weddings with more than 200 guests have considerably more limited options than those in the 125-150 range.

Step #3: Consider your budget, which will help determine the options open to you. Our advice is to find a place you love, but be careful not to over-extend .. even the most amazing venues can be a kill-joy later if you discover you don't have money left for other things that are really important to you.

Step #4: Decide if you prefer to have your ceremony and reception at one location, or if you prefer separate locations. Most venues will allow you to have your ceremony elsewhere, but not all venues can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception.

Step #5: Start shopping! Schedule site tours and have some fun exploring around town.

Step #6: Reserve your venue. In many cases, this is done 12-24 months in advance of the wedding date, particularly if you are choosing a popular location. For dates more than 8 months away, make sure that your venue locks in your pricing for both space and catering when you sign the contracts to eliminate any unpleasant surprises later.

Step #7: Get excited! Now that you have your venue, you can start planning the rest of your wedding! We recommend getting any vendors that can participate in only one event a day, such as photographers, videographers, DJs and Bands selected next so that you can be sure to have your choice of the best Seattle has to offer.