Two of the first decisions couples typically make after getting engaged are when they want their wedding day to be and where they want their wedding to take place.
In some cases, it can be easier to nail down the "where" first, even before finalizing the "when," though not all couples have that luxury. Maybe they need their wedding to take place on a certain day to accommodate career demands, ensure out-of-town guests can be present, or align their wedding with honeymoon travel plans.
In any case, selecting the right wedding venue will be one of your most important shared decisions as a newly engaged couple. Your wedding location will help set the tone of your big day, impact the experience that you and your guests share, and shape your other planning choices.
This guide is intended to help. We have included tips on venue research, factors to consider, and questions to ask as you begin your search for the best venue choice for you and your spouse-to-be.
We also have information for couples based in greater Houston, from Spring, The Woodlands, and Conroe to Bellaire, Meyerland, and Sugar Land.
Start Your Venue Search Early
Give yourself plenty of time to find and line up a venue. Consider it a favor to yourself: Giving yourself time will help minimize your wedding-planning stress. You can find a wealth of information online and even use a wedding venue finder app to create a list of possibilities to research.
Remember, it’s not at all unusual for couples to book a venue more than a year in advance, especially if they’re interested in a Saturday wedding. (You can buy yourself some wiggle room if you’re open to a Friday or Sunday wedding.) So you'll need to do the same if you don't want to miss out on your dream venue.
Plus, finding what you consider the perfect wedding venue, one with all of your wedding venue must-haves, is a time-consuming process. You want the freedom to research ideas and potential venues more thoroughly instead of scrambling to find a place, any place, with an opening on your wedding date. You also want time to talk with your partner about your priorities and your thoughts on what makes a good wedding venue.
Know What You Can Spend
Developing a wedding budget should be high on the list of wedding planning to-dos, too. While it may take time to factor in all of your costs, you can always start by coming up with the total amount you and your partner can spend.
From there, you can estimate the amount you'll be able to devote to your wedding venue.
Generally, a wedding venue will represent one of your largest wedding expenditures. According to Investopedia, about 40% of your budget should be set aside for your venue and catering.
Make Some Decisions About Your Wedding Day
We also encourage you to figure out what you and your partner want your wedding day to look like. We're not talking about your decor; we're asking about the kind of wedding you want.
Are you thinking about a private wedding ceremony followed by a celebration with guests? In that case, you can focus on finding a wedding reception venue.
On the other hand, you may want a venue that includes wedding ceremony space.
Or...you may want a setting ideal for a micro wedding, something with a more intimate feel.
Once you know what will be taking place on your wedding day, you can start figuring out what kind of setting you'd like.
Consider Your Priorities: What Is Your Dream Venue?
The wealth of wedding venue options available today is a mixed blessing. Odds are good that the dream event venue for you and your partner is, indeed, out there. But wading through the sheer volume of venue options can be challenging.
Before you begin your Google search for “Venues in Texas,” or “Wedding Venues Near Me,” or “Modern Wedding Venues in Houston,” take some time to figure out exactly what you’re looking for.
Yes, you want a wedding venue, but what qualities are particularly important to you? A beautiful setting? An ambiance that supports your wedding vision? A specific feature like lush gardens or a dramatic staircase? Or maybe your primary focus is finding a historic wedding venue or an affordable wedding venue.
Discuss your hopes with your partner and try to rank your priorities in order of importance.
Come up with an estimated guest count
Beyond the preferences that will guide your search for the perfect wedding venue, there will be some practical matters to consider. For one thing, your wedding venue must be big enough to meet your needs.
Don't worry, you don't have to send your invitations just yet, but we do encourage you to figure out how many guests could be there on your wedding day.
Sit down with your partner and discuss who you both hope to invite.
If your parents are helping with your wedding, and you are giving them the option of inviting a few people, be sure to talk with them as well.
In addition to the people you're inviting, don’t forget to add their spouses/partners and children (if you’re including little ones). A good rule of thumb is to expect about 85% of the local people you invite to attend, along with about 55% of your out-of-town guests (possibly more if they’re close family members).
Finalize a General Location
Generally, for a local wedding, it’s considered reasonable to ask guests to drive an hour to an hour and a half to your venue. That gives you a fairly large radius to work with.
That rule of thumb applies to weddings where the ceremony and reception take place at one site.
If you’re planning to have separate locations for your ceremony and reception, don’t ask your guests to make a long trek from one to the other. Ideally, the travel distance from your ceremony to your reception location should be less than 20 miles.
Ask for Recommendations
As you strive to choose a wedding venue, remember, the task of finding your dream wedding venue doesn't have to rest on your shoulders alone. Ask others for recommendations. Be specific about what you’re looking for, from recommendations for affordable wedding venues to outdoor wedding venues near your home.
If you’re working with a wedding planner, they can be an invaluable resource. Advice from your wedding planner could be particularly helpful in terms of helping you match your priorities (from photography friendly to a great dance floor) with venues in a specific geographical area.
You also can get helpful input from friends and relatives who have gotten married in the city you’re interested in. If someone had a negative experience, it would be worthwhile to know about that, too.
Read Reviews
Checking reviews is common practice now, whether you're considering going out for dinner or buying a pair of shoes.
It definitely would be worthwhile to get input on the locations you're considering for one of the most important days of your life.
But, keep in mind, some reviews are more helpful than others. Go beyond the headlines and number of stars people have given venues and consider the details that influenced their decisions, including quality of service, responsiveness, food, and hidden charges.
Reach Out to a Few Venues with Basic Questions
You've done some online research, gathered some recommendations, and now you need to decide where you want to book site visits.
Things to ask about include:
-Their availability on the wedding date you’ve chosen—or dates they’re available during the month or season you’re thinking about.
-Their guest capacity
-Their rental fees and what’s included
-Additional fees
-Deposits and their payment schedule
-Their cancellation policy
-Time restrictions
-Contingency plans for outdoor wedding spaces
-If they have liability insurance
-Local/neighborhood laws and rules that could impact your plans, such as sound ordinances.
Consider Your Guests' Experience
As you consider wedding venues, think about the people who will be attending.
Are the wedding venue options on your list accessible to everyone who will be attending, including guests who are wheelchair-bound or at risk of falling?
How convenient is the parking? Are bathrooms easy to find? What do your prospective venues do to ensure guests are comfortable, from sound to temperature control?
How Many Wedding Venues Should You Tour?
The number of venues you tour is entirely up to you and what your tie and energy will allow.
As long as each wedding venue you visit has the potential to satisfy the priorities you've set, you’re on the right track.
Questions to Ask When Touring a Wedding Venue
Here are some more questions for you to ask as you start touring wedding venues.
-Do you provide in-house catering?
-Do you allow outside caterers?
-Can we do a food tasting before making our menu selections?
-Is there a cake-cutting fee?
-Is there a corkage fee?
-Tell me about your alcohol prices. Is there a bar minimum?
-Are there staffing charges?
-How many bathrooms do you have?
-Do you provide sound equipment?
-What security services do you offer?
-What time can my vendors start setting up on my wedding day?
-Are there any limitations on what we do to decorate?
-When do we need to have our space cleared out?
-What is your policy for bad weather?
-How do you prepare for power outages?
-Do you have an emergency plan?
-Do you provide tents, space heaters, or umbrellas for outdoor weddings?
This is not a comprehensive list, but hopefully, these questions will give you some ideas for additional ones of your own.
Finding a Houston-Area Wedding Venue
Houston is one of the largest wedding markets in the country and has no shortage of wedding venues for you to consider.
One reason our wedding and event venue, The Bell Tower on 34th, is one of the most popular Modern Wedding Venues in Houston is our centralized location, a short drive from downtown Houston, the Galleria, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
As a result, the venue is convenient for out-of-town guests, including those who want easy access to Houston-area attractions, restaurants, and hotels. The spot, just off the I-610 Loop, is also an easy commute for residents throughout Houston, along with Montgomery County and Fort Bend County.
In addition to offering a gorgeous building and grounds, we provide a dedicated team committed to excellence.