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Guidelines for Selecting the Best Wedding Location
You may want to sit down and think about (even plan on paper) the kind of celebration you want to have at your wedding. Before you jump in with both feet, identify what you want and what you do not want, and early in your search establish what kind of selection criteria you will use. Here are a few ideas to help you with your planning.
Location: Where Will Your Event Take Place
Many couples want their guests to be able to reach the wedding location easily. It is important to consider this guideline, especially if you have out of town guests coming or if you are planning a destination wedding.
Consider Travel Time and Traffic Jams
If you want the guests to arrive at your wedding on time and without too much confusion, it is a good idea to provide them with detailed directions to the venue. They may travel from a great distance by car to get to your wedding, and navigation tools such as Google Maps are not always reliable. Remember to include information about traffic congestion, construction areas, and confusing freeway setups. A drawn-to-scale map is a good idea because it has symbols that indicate the four directions and the names of important off-ramps. Take a dry run of your route and look at the directions you are providing guests.
If your event happens on a day, time, or during an event in the area, consider commuters and bumper-to-bumper traffic. One way to avoid this is to choose a time for your event that is after rush hour.
Consider reserving space at your venue for guests to stay if they are coming from a long distance and will need overnight accommodations. Thinking about a special event place that is off the beaten path will make for a special and memorable wedding. If you are not local to the area, however, plan to work with a venue’s wedding planner or coordinator. They can be a great asset when planning a wedding.
Take a Guest Head Count
You need to know how many people you think will come to your wedding. A facility is likely to ask you how many people you expect. Some venues require a deposit based on the estimated number of guests. You will need a confirmed count of guests one week before your event. This information is also essential for your planning and budgeting in selecting the right location.
Some brides and grooms have been surprised by guests who showed up to their reception without an RSVP. This can cost you extra money, so you should contact everyone on your guest list who did not respond. Be polite, but let them know you need to have their response by a certain deadline so that you can finalize beverage and food totals.
Do Not Forget To Consider the Weather
If you are planning to have all or part of your wedding and reception outdoors, do not forget to think about how the weather can affect your event. Sunny skies make for a beautiful day, but that may also mean the heat is on. Provide a canopy or tables with umbrellas to shade your guests and the wedding party. The wedding planner at your venue should be asked about the intensity and direction of the sun at the time of year you are planning your wedding. Your guests will not be able to enjoy the ceremony if the sun is shining in their eyes. Provide guests with guidelines about how to dress for the weather if your event is outdoors. If your event is planned outside during the summer, consider having it in the evening for a beautiful sunset and cooler air.
Have a backup plan for your wedding and reception if the weather turns cold or wet. Make sure the venue you choose has an option to move everyone indoors to enjoy the festivities. Being prepared for as many factors as possible will almost guarantee that your wedding day goes off without a hitch.
Starlight Canyon in Amarillo, Texas is a unique and elegant wedding venue that has so much to offer prospective brides and grooms. We can make your event and your stay memorable through our wedding packages and add-ons. Come and try out our cabins, which are a perfect place to unwind for the weekend and experience our beautiful and relaxing bed and breakfast. Call today at 806-622-2382 or contact us via email for more information about our amenities, and how we can help you.
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