So you’ve made the decision to get married at home! Whether it’s yours or your fiancé’s family home or another private residence, you’ll want to keep these FIVE things in mind.

Guest access & parking

Most private residences can easily accommodate 2-6 vehicles in their private drive. Some more, some less. When you’re planning for 25 people or more, that amount of parking spaces simply won’t work. Unless guest transportation is provided. Not to mention vendor access & parking. I highly recommend my couples ask their guests to park in a large, local public parking lot (hotel, mall, casino, ski resort, etc…) and provide transportation to & from the home and grounds.

Bathrooms

They’re a fact of life. Throw in a mix of boozy drinks, plated dinners, and dozens of bladders and they’re an unsavory yet critical component to yours and your guests’ experience. I suggest keeping the inside restrooms available to a limited number of guests. Typically, those living & staying there. For all other friends & family, I recommend luxury trailers with hand washing stations.

Power

Love all of those outdoor string lights you see on Pinterest? And the amazingly romantic dance parties with a beautiful amber lit home in the background? DJs and bands rocking the house? That all requires power. Instead of pulling power from every 20amp outlet inside and using a bazillion extension cords, renting a couple of whisper generators should do the trick.

LIghting

The sun will eventually go down on your wedding day. And that’s when the fun really begins! When daylight disappears, you want to make sure there’s ample lighting on your guests’ tables, above their heads, and along all walkways. This will also help your vendor team at the end of the night as they load up and head out.

sound restrictions

Most residential neighborhoods have quiet hours. It’s important to consider the parameters in the city or county where you’re hosting. Some cities require a special event permit with detailed descriptions of your music, sound plans, and timeline. As well as restricting your band or DJ to particular decibel levels. While I’ve been known to keep a cop or two at bay from busting up a killer wedding reception, it’s not my favorite thing to do!

Selecting a venue for your big day is one of the first steps to planning your wedding. There are many different aspects that play a pivotal role when choosing the perfect host for your soiree. From budgeting to parking to vendor selection, you want to know what to look for. The following eight tips are some of the most important aspects to consider when assessing your options.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch by Jessica Christie Photography

1. Availability

This is a BIG one. Are they available on your desired date? Venues book fast (up to two years in advance), so when you find THE ONE, you want to secure the spot as soon as possible. If your preferred venue isn't available on the date you set, is your date flexible? If it is, you can have the venue of your dreams just on a different day. If it's not, time to keep shopping!

2. Price

Does your preferred venue fit within the budget you've set? On average, venues that do not provide food and beverage on site can cost up to thirty-five percent of your total budget. On the opposite end, venues that do provide in-house f&b options, such as hotels, resorts, and country clubs, can run up to sixty percent of your budget or more.

3. Capacity

You want to ask the on site contact what the maximum occupancy is for your desired service style (ie cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, etc.) Having this information can guide you in creating your guest list. You don’t want guests to be crowded, but you also don’t want a venue that will make your party feel sparse. A good rule of thumb is to never invite more people than the maximum capacity allows.

4. Parking

Experiences in Colorado have taught us that there are several venues that don't have ample on-site parking (ahem, mountain top locales). Therefore, couples are forced to provide transportation for their guests to and from the venue. If you procure a venue that does not provide an adequate parking solution for your guests, this will have a significant impact on your budget.

Dunton Hot Springs by Laura Murray Photography

5. Preferred vs. Exclusive Vendors

It is important to know what vendors are recommended or even allowed at your chosen venue. Many places have a preferred list of professional vendors with whom they have worked and built relationships with. Some of those vendors are exclusive to the venue (you are required to use that vendor). A venue's preferred/exclusive vendor list is generally well vetted but you need to make sure those companies listed also fit within your budget.

6. Plan B

Very important! It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have a backup plan for your special day - especially in Colorado. When you are touring different venues, make sure their backup plan can accommodate ALL of your guests for unforeseen circumstances, such as adverse weather conditions. Whether it means setting up a tent for an outdoor ceremony or moving the ceremony inside to the reception room, it is vital to have worst-case scenario plans in place. You don’t want your festivities to be ruined due to poor planning.

7. Cancellation/Postponement Policy

You may not think to ask your venue about their cancellation policy, but you can never be too sure! Knowing what the cancellation policy is for your venue and your vendors is essential. If the wedding has to be canceled/postponed due to force majeure events (like a pandemic or act of God) or personal circumstances, you want and need to be well informed of the venue’s policies.

8. Special Provisions

Most Colorado venues have special provisions listed in their contracts regarding the dos and don'ts of your celebration. These can range from requiring a professional wedding day management coordinator, to private event and vendor insurance, to flameless candles. Some venues even restrict flower petals down the aisle and the throwing of confetti or rice at the ceremony or grand exit. It's important to ask about any special provisions, for each specific venue, during your initial site visit.

While the above tips are great to reference when selecting a venue you can never ask too many questions or be too thorough. Each wedding and couple is unique and it's important that your selected venue is the perfect fit for your celebration.

Until next time,

Cheers!