After you get engaged, you will have lots of good wishes coming your way and even more questions pouring in. The ‘when’s and ‘where’s can actually rush your decision of choosing the right venue, but hold on your horses! Give this decision ample thought. Give your self enough time to do some research, look around, work out the logistics and then take the plunge. As with everything else connected to a wedding, choosing a venue isn’t as simple as it sounds.
Here is a bunch of factors to ponder over:

1. The logistics:
Compiling a complete guest list is a difficult task, but having a rough estimate isn’t. Keep the approximate number of guests in mind. Is there enough seating for all the guests or will most be forced to be on their toes? You invited folks to enjoy the celebration, so any arrangements that come in the way of your guests’ comfort are not really appreciated.

2. The facilities:
Ask the manager of the property about the facilities. Do they rent out just the venue, or do they provide catering services too? What if you wish to hire a caterer of your choice? Check on the decorators too. Is there anyone that the manager would recommend? Going with the manager’s recommendations may help because this means that they are comfortable working with each other and the chances of having glitches is reduced.

3. Does it burn a hole in your pocket?
You might find yourself swept away by the ambience of a venue, but make sure that you do not lose track of your budget. Be realistic. Do think about how the venue fits into your budget. It is good to have a flexible budget, but over stretching it is a complete no-no! If you have a creative bent of mind or a professional to guide you, you might be able to transform a seemingly simple venue to the venue of your dreams.

4. Back up plans:
It is very important to check if there are back up plans in place. Ask about the arrangements in case of power failure- is there a reliable generator set available? And the charges? For an outdoor wedding, ask about the back up plan in case of bad weather.

5. How far is it?
Though this is not an extremely important factor, it can come in handy while trying to decide between the venues that have made it to the final list. The closer the venue to your residence, the better, simply because it is difficult to run back home for each tiny thing that you forgot to carry with you! Do also consider the distance between the venue and the place where a majority of your guests will be putting up.
In case it is a venue that is off the beaten track, get and give very clear driving directions to your guests. Also, visit the venue at the time that your wedding is scheduled. There is nothing half as alarming as a bride’s father trying to locate the signboard of the venue in the pitch of dark- he lost about 30 minutes of being the perfect host.

6. Does it match your theme?
The final question- you have come thus far, but does the venue match your theme? For a royal wedding, a fort is a wonderful venue. For a romantic theme, an open courtyard, under the clear skies fits the bill. A bohemian theme would call for a beach wedding. For those who are less experimental, stick to a hotel/ marriage palace and get the decorators to pick the theme for you.

In any case, keep your eyes and ears open. Seek suggestions and follow them up with research. We hope our check-list helps you zero in onto the best venue for you!