Location is a huge part of any wedding, but how do you approach finding a unique wedding venue? Everything starts with the space – not only is it the first thing to make an impact when your guests arrive, but the atmosphere you choose will be infused into every aspect of the event. Not to mention, the venue will be the backdrop for all your wedding photos, so you really want to choose a space that you’ll love to look at for years to come. It’s no surprise that couples want a venue to reflect their individual personalities and mutual love. That’s why, when choosing a venue, more and more couples are moving away from the tired, traditional options and towards unique event venues and wedding locations.
Couples who used to go the conventional route (churches, synagogues, hotel ballrooms) are opting for a fresher approach. Weddings should be a reflection of who the couple is and what they love – which starts with the location. Modern couples are starting to think creatively about their special day and are hosting weddings in their favorite art gallery, at local event lofts, or even in historic train stations. In this post, we collaborated with event and wedding planners to create four tips on how to find your unique wedding venue.
Location & Logistics
Location, location, location! Pick a place that feels right and is somewhere you would love to visit as a guest. Can all of your guests easily get here for your wedding from a hotel / airport / bus ride? Do you have to have valet? Parking lot nearby? Will you be able to set up early / do you need to use required vendors? Remember that the fanciest, exotic location or destination wedding doesn’t necessarily make for the best event. If your wedding is better suited in a cool loft with city views instead of on the beach in Hawaii, you’ll save time and money while staying true to yourself.
Size & Specifics
Can this location accommodate the size of your wedding? Take a look at your guest count and make sure your venue can accommodate your numbers for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. A pro tip – sometimes your wedding can grow with additional guests, so give yourself a little wiggle room with the venue to make sure they can accommodate a few extra if need be. Make sure the space has a weather backup (you never know!), restrooms that are accessible for your guests, and meets your criteria for indoor/outdoor options.
Space & Style
Fall in love with the bones of the venue. It doesn’t have to be perfect in every single way, but it should be in line with your vision for the day. Did you dream of an outdoor ceremony? A place with great natural light? A terrace with a view? There are always ways to “transform” spaces, but you want to make sure your unique wedding venue is stylistically a good fit, has nice “flow,” and has personality. While people will probably forget what they ate, they won’t forget where they danced the night away.
Rentals & Requirements & Restrictions
Rentals & Requirements & Restrictions: It is always important to consider the specific requirements of each venue. Sometimes this can change your ability to rent a space. Review the following with any rental provider: What rentals are included if any? Do you need to bring everything in? What are the requirements and restrictions in terms of noise, vendors, timing, permitting, insurance and any other fees? This process of working with the rental provider can be lengthy and frustrating to navigate if you are tackling it on your own – not to mention difficult to negotiate. Using a curated marketplace such as PeerSpace will give you access to transparent prices so you can avoid nickel-and-dime add-ons. PeerSpace also offers a dedicated Concierge Team who can help you source any additional services related to your special day.
If you want some inspiration for you wedding, check out our list of unique wedding venues or check out our favorites in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
This is the first in a series of posts focused on DIY weddings. Check back in over the next few weeks to learn more about how to pull off a truly unique wedding.
