As a photographer, I have the privilege of seeing so many amazing venues. It is actually a dream of mine to own one one day. That may never happen, but it has had me think about what I would do (and not do) when building a wedding venue of my own. So, this week — we are going to talk all things wedding venues (from a photographers perspective).

What to look for, the questions to ask (yourself and them) and what matters the most at the end of the day! 

As usual, I will highlight a few of my favorite venues this week. And, if you happen to have your wedding at one of the highlighted venues — mention this blog post and you will get a MASSIVE discount on your wedding photography package if you book me. Just because I love them that much!

So, lets dive in!

What to look for in a wedding venue.

This is such an important part of the venue hunting process, you need to know what you are looking for. The venue helps set the tone and the feel for your wedding day in so many ways. The venue you pick, it matters. So make sure you look around and ask people you trust for recommendations. This is where a wedding planner comes in handy. When asking others about venues, make sure you don’t just ask which venue is their favorite, but why it is there favorite. This can help give you the information you need to pick the venue that matches your wedding day best (and maybe help you think of things you wouldn’t have thought to look for or ask otherwise)! Look around at multiple venues, compare, and do a tour before booking — the tour makes a tremendous impact when it comes to envisioning your wedding day there and getting a feel for what it would be like.

When I look at venues, I look for three main things. 

Space – In two ways.

How many people can it hold and does it have enough physical space to accomplish your wedding day without feeling crammed? Imagine the tables, the ceremony, the dance floor, the food, and the great uncle in his motorized wheelchair. This is different for every wedding, so make sure you are prepared for yours (big or small). You don’t want too much space or too little space.

Then, there is the space that it has to offer in terms of areas that can be utilized to help accomplish your wedding day. Is there a good spot for the ceremony? The dance floor? Do they have space for your caterer to prep and your band/DJ to setup. Is there a bridal suite for you and your girls the morning of? What does it look like outside the venue? If you are having an outdoor ceremony and it rains, is it possible to have it indoors? What would that look like? What do they offer in terms of space to help you prepare and get ready for your wedding day and can you realistically envision it happening well at the venue.

Lighting

My style is light and airy, timeless. So, my ideal venues have a lot of natural light and lighter colored walls. I can work with other settings, but for my style to look its best those two things are needed. So, if you are wanting light and airy pictures, your venue should have those two things. Think about the style of your wedding day and if the venue matches your vision.

Portrait Locations

Is there a good spot for bride and groom portraits? What does the landscape look like? Does that match the vision you have for your images. If you like more outdoors/field pictures, does it have that? If you like more city/building — is there a good staircase/wall for those pictures? Your venue grounds will be used for your portraits so make sure it matches the vision you have for them on your walls. Wedding photographers can work magic, but we can’t completely transform what is in front of us. So make sure you picture your pictures before saying yes!

Questions to ask as you tour venues:

Can I see examples of bride and groom portraits taken here?

What is the typical setup most brides/grooms do? Has anyone done something unique that you liked?

What do couples do typically if it rains?

Do y’all offer clean up/setup?

Is there a bridal suite?

How many hours do we get the venue grounds for?

Is there anything I see that is not included in the rental price?

Do y’all have tables/chairs/decor/etc. that can be rented?

Do you work with particular vendors? Is that a requirement?

Do you offer a discount on off season or on weekdays?

What matters the most

There is so much that I could say when it comes to venues, but what matters the most is if you love it and can envision your wedding day there! At the end of the day, it is about what you want and if it accomplishes the things that are most important to you while still staying in budget. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. So many venues offer a vast array of things, that may save you money on other rentals or purchases in the end.

There are so many amazing venues in Mississippi, and I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to photograph weddings at so many of them. This week, I will be highlighting a few of my favorites, and introducing you to their team!

So, make sure you turn notifications on so you don’t miss a post.