Venue Selection

You are engaged! Congratulations!

Choosing your venue is your is your very first step in your  planning journey.Before the dress, before the flowers, before the food, your venue selection determines everything else. It sets your date your style, your guest count, your layout, your vendors, and even your timeline.

As a planner and coordinator with over 20 years of experience and more than 400 weddings behind me, I can tell you this with absolute confidence: Do not send invitations or set a date until your venue is booked.

Why the Venue Comes First: Book Urgently-Venues fill Fast!

In Middle Tennessee Venues book 12-18 months in advance, especially- Spring, Fall, Saturdays.

• Your wedding date- availability determines when you can get married
• Your guest count- capacity limits how many people you can invite.
• Your style- rustic, elegant, modern, garden, barn, ballroom.
• Your vendors- some venues require specific caterers or bartenders, or they are full service venues.
• Your budget: Venue pricing shapes everything else.
• Your timeline: When you can start booking other vendors.

What to look for when touring Venues:

• Parking-is it close? Do they provide shuttle? Is it safe? Is there handicap parking? Is it well lit?
• Handicap accessibility- Can all guests enter comfortably?
• Included items- chairs, tables, linens, china, glassware, decor, ceremony seating.
• Catering rules- Can you choose your own caterer?
• Alcohol Policy- Do they allow outside bartenders? Are they licensed for alcohol/wine/beer?
• Rain plan- If the ceremony is outdoors is there a back-up plan for rain?
• Set-up & Tear-down- Who handles it? You or the venue? Are you charged hourly if wedding goes over time block?
• Photo locations- Are there beautiful outdoor spots for photos?
• Rehearsal - Is day before rehearsal included in the costs? Do they have space for rehearsal dinner or do you need to have it elsewhere. If you have to have it somewhere else will it be conveniently located nearby?

Your venue is more than just a location-its the heart of your wedding day. Once its booked everything becomes easier.Start with the venue and everything will come together beautifully!

Happy Planning! ~Sherry