Maritus

After getting engaged, finding and finalizing the perfect can be the most exciting but slightly exhausting too. It’s the basis for your big day, serving as the backdrop for every detail, from decor to catering and photography. But with so many available options, how do you keep it simple? Not to worry—we are here to help! So, this blog is here to guide you with everything you think about when finding your dream wedding venue. We’re going to keep this process easy and a little fun. Let’s dive in.

Define Your Wedding Style

In the meantime, before you start hunting for venues, picture what your ideal wedding would look like. What kind of wedding should it be according to your vision—a romantic beach wedding, a fancy ballroom wedding, a family backyard wedding, etc.? Determining your style excludes venues that are not a match for your vision. Consider themes, colors, and aesthetics—do you love rustic barn weddings, modern minimalist venues, or historic mansions? This will spare you precious time before you choose because you will know that you are making the right choice without unnecessary detours.

Know Your Guest List Size

Your venue must be able to accommodate all your guests comfortably. When you book a stunning venue and later you get to know that it can’t accommodate all the guests on your list—that’s a nightmare to avoid. On the other hand, you don’t want a gigantic venue for a small, intimate wedding where it will feel empty. Before touring venues, settle on a rough guest count so you can select a space that will feel neither too cramped nor too empty.

Indoor or Outdoor Venue: Which Is Best For You?

This is a big decision! Indoor venues such as banquet halls, hotels, and ballrooms offer protection from the weather and ease of logistics. Outdoor venues such as gardens, vineyards, and beaches have an innate beauty and dream-like aesthetic. Whether you are talking about season and climate, decide where to get married based on what season your wedding date falls in so you won’t have any surprises from the weather. Should you choose an outdoor venue, be sure to have a solid backup plan in case of unpredictable weather changes, whether that be a rental tent or another indoor backup alternative.

Budgeting For a Venue

Wedding venues soak up a big portion of your total wedding spend, so make sure to educate yourself about the venue expenses. Some venues provide all-inclusive packages, while others charge separate fees for rentals, catering, and decor. Inquire early about extras like service charges, taxes, and gratuities before signing a contract. Some venues allow room for negotiation, particularly in off-peak seasons.

How to Look at Wedding Venues: Wedding Venue Tours

A venue might be perfect in pictures, but a site visit is essential. If you are touring, check the ambiance and mood of the venue along with its sanitary condition to make sure it meets your standards. Ensure ample parking is available and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Check that restrooms and changing rooms are clean and accessible for the bride, groom and other family members. A lighting or acoustics lab may be crucial for the quality of photography or the music. Finally, check for any restrictions on decor, catering, or entertainment so you’re not blindsided when it comes time to plan.

Your Guests Will Have to Travel to Your Wedding: Location Matters

Is the venue easy to reach? Think about the distance most of your guests will have to travel so they don’t run into transportation issues. If you are hosting a destination wedding, check out nearby hotels and transport facilities to ensure the experience is seamless for your guests. Shuttle services or providing clear driving directions can be a thoughtful touch to make it easy for everybody to arrive.

Services & Amenities: What’s Available?

Certain venues offer tables, chairs, linens, and even catering, while others require you to source everything on your own. Find out if the venue has an in-house wedding coordinator or if you will need to hire someone separately. Other crucial services to inquire about are whether the venue has a sound system and microphones for speeches and music. Confirm whether you have to hire external vendors or whether their catering options are in-house. Learn about bar services and alcohol policies, including corkage fees. Find out if setup and cleanup services are included since you don’t want added stress on the big day. And, finally, check to see if there’s a bridal suite or separate getting-ready rooms for the bride and groom.

Booking Timeline: When Should You Lock in Your Venue?

Wedding venues are booked quickly, particularly during peak seasons. Ideally, book 12–18 months in advance, especially for popular dates if you want to lock down your top choice. If you are having a wedding on short notice, have some flexibility with your date to get better availability and possibly better rates.

Negotiating the Price

Yes, you can! (Discounts can be found in the off-season if you marry on a weekday or last minute, too.) If the price is just above your budget, ask whether they can include complimentary extras, like upgraded decor, extra seating, or an extended cocktail hour. With negotiations, being polite but firm can sometimes help you get a better package.

Venue limitations: Review Read the Fine Print

Each venue has its own policies and restrictions, so do your research on the fine print before signing anything. Check on the venue’s noise limits and curfew times to ensure you don’t disrupt services. Make sure the venue’s rules line up with your wedding plans in accordance with alcohol and bar services. Check vendor policies to find out whether you’re required to use the venue’s preferred vendors or if you can bring in your own. Ask about décor restrictions, like prohibitions on open flames, confetti, or adhesives. Finally, familiarize yourself with cleanup policies, and be aware of any additional charges for overtime so as not to be surprised (or worse, not able to pay the bill).

Weather Management for Outdoor Facilities

If you’re getting married outside, have a Plan B ready. Unanticipated rain, fierce gusts of wind, or brutal heat can ruin your day if you’re caught unprepared. Inquire with the venue about covered areas or indoor backup spaces that may be available. Check to see if the venue has tents or shaded areas for guests to stay comfortable. Establish whether heating or cooling options (fan, heater, air conditioning) will be provided to manage the varying weather conditions.

Having A Wedding Planner

If you can afford it, having a wedding planner can be a lifesaver. They have inside information on venues, can negotiate better deals, and can take care of logistics so you can concentrate on enjoying your wedding. If you plan to have a destination wedding, a local planner in particular can help coordinate venue specifics and vendor bookings.

The Most Popular Wedding Venues in 2025

Couples are also seeking out wedding venues that make their love story unique; wedding venue trends are changing. Trends for venues that we are excited about heading into 2025 are sustainable and eco-friendly wedding venues that reduce the negative impact on the environment. Intimate micro-wedding venues are increasingly being sought for their cozy sentimentality. All-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels make planning easier with bundles that include everything. Art galleries, rooftop gardens, vineyards, and other unusual settings provide a different perspective on wedding celebrations. More venues are tech-enabled with advanced lighting and sound systems, contributing to the overall experience.

The Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Wedding Venues

Sustainability is a top trend, with many couples selecting eco-friendly wedding venues. Seek out locations utilizing renewable energy sources or environmentally conscious practices to minimize footprint. Choose venues that serve farm-to-table catering with ingredients harvested from a local farm. Whenever possible, select venues that have zero-waste policies to reduce excess waste. Choose decor that can be reused, is biodegradable or is upcycled to fit in with sustainable wedding practices.

Maritus Offering: Your Venue Search, Simplified

At Maritus, we know that booking a wedding venue can be daunting—but this is our specialty. Whether you picture a romantic beach ceremony, a grand ballroom soiree, or a charming garden wedding, we can discover the venues that suit your aesthetic, guest count, and budget. We do the venue visits and negotiate the best possible rates for you all with no hidden fee. Worried about logistics? We handle everything from accessibility and guest accommodations to backup plans for weddings that are outdoors. And we work with vendors to make everything from catering to décor flow perfectly. Easy, breezy—nothing to stress about or second guess. With Maritus, your dream venue is simply around the corner. You celebrate love and let us take care of the details.

The link to our Instagram page is here:  maritusweddingplanners