Comparing venues on cost alone is a very misleading and wrong way to compare venues. That’s because some venues have everything for the cost they charge, while for some, you will be required to bring in some items (chairs, canopies, sound system and so on). Those are hidden costs.
To get a clear view of the overall cost of any venue, add that venue cost PLUS the cost of every single thing you require to rent from outside (to fill the lack in the space). Do that for every venue and then compare the total cost (of the venue plus cost of rented items).
That’s how to decide where to get married, and this method will also help you find a wedding venue on a budget. Whether your goal is to find an inexpensive/ affordable cheap wedding venue or the best venue in town, with this comparison method, you’re sure to find the right event venue on the right budget.
WARNING: If you live far from your planned wedding location, a venue that does not have everything may not work for you, especially if you’re coming in a few days before your big day. It would be very uncomfortable for you to rent some things from outside to fill the venue. Besides, do you know the area and where to look for things?
For couples who are looking for cheap/ low budget wedding reception venues, it is easy to quickly pick the cheapest venue, without remembering that extra money would be spent to bring it up to par. Comparing the cost of venues that have everything or most things with those that do not is just like comparing apples to oranges. The correct way is to make a list of everything you expect and add the cost of renting from outside, for each item not available.
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IMPORTANT: Not taking the cost of items you will rent from outside (to complete a venue that lacks them) makes a venue that has everything to appear more expensive. If you add the rental costs, you MAY discover that some ‘cheaper’ venue may end up to be more expensive, after renting everything they lacked.
Therefore, make a list of what’s not available in each venue and add up the rental cost to get the overall cost you will spend if you hire that venue. Do this for each venue and you’ll get a clearer picture. I explained more on how to compare venues in the next section down below.
HINT: When doing the venue comparison, if you don’t have much cash to throw around, one way to keep your wedding reception cost down is to choose a venue that would not need much decoration. Some venues already look amazing the way they are and a little décor is all that is needed to make it look unique.
- SEE ALSO: Wedding Reception Coordination Checklist for Day of Wedding
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After You’ve Selected Your Perfect Wedding Reception Venue, Do these
- Do not assume they will keep that reception venue/ hall for you unless you have booked it. To venue owners, booking means only one thing, putting down deposit money for it and getting a payment receipt in return.
- Be open to alternative wedding dates because someone else may have booked that same venue for a preferred date, before you. In fact, it’s a good idea to set your preferred wedding venue and also make a list of 2 or 3 alternative date;
- Get everything in writing – invoice, receipts and agreements/ contract.
The Easiest Way to Find a Good Wedding Venue
If you have a wedding planner, that person will recommend a list of suitable wedding reception venues in your desired location. Also, s/he will do the venue tours and ask all the right questions on your behalf, for every prospective event venue.
Besides, wedding planners have worked in dozens of event venues and know the good and bad of those venues, and so they are a good a one-stop-shop to get venue reviews. Other wedding vendors are also helpful with getting names and reviews of venues in their area of coverage – so ask them for recommendations.
If you have a planner, they will usually recommend a list of venues to you. Ask your planner direct questions about each venue, including the cost, availability on your date, whether you are allowed to bring your own vendors (caterers/ food and drinks, decorators and decoration limits and so on). Ask about every expectation you have. Also, a wedding planner knows how to get discounts from event venues and other vendors. Therefore, if you save on a venue, paying to hire a planner is not going to be a waste.
So, you see, a wedding planner can save you time. However, not every bride can afford a wedding planner, and that’s why I have provided you with the exact, same questions planners ask when choosing a venue so that you too can find the most suitable venue for the vision you have of your wedding day.
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Wrap Up: Finding the Right Wedding Reception Venue Without Going Over Budget
RECAP: So far, I have shared with you some helpful step by step process and tips for finding a wedding venue on any budget; how to compare event venues to find the right one, and the things to do after finding the perfect venue. With the above steps and the questions you ask the wedding venue staff, you should have covered the bases and ready to execute the remaining activities in your wedding planning checklist.
Hopefully, the above steps on how to find and choose a wedding venue will make the process of finding the perfect wedding or event venue easier for you. The above tips work for finding any type of venue for any type of event (conferences, parties, etc.) anywhere in the World. Let me know how those tips work for you.
There’re you have it on how to find event venues near you, compare them and choose the most suitable wedding reception or party venue in Nigeria or anywhere on the planet. If you’ve started looking at venues, what has the experience been like for you? Is there any top you think I should have added?
Comment to tell me. What type of venue and seating capacity is searching for, in what state/ city? What’s the price range like? Comment below to share your wedding venue search experience.
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