How To Choose A Wedding Venue That's Right For You

With so many fantastic wedding venue choices throughout the Mornington Peninsula, it can be difficult to figure out how to choose a wedding venue that’s right for you. While I would argue that each of them is fantastic in its own way, everyone will have different requirements which makes choosing your ideal venue slightly more challenging!

I’ve come up with four important ways to help you answer the question “How do I find my perfect venue?”, and hopefully, take the first steps to plan your dream wedding. Let’s get into it!

1. Base Your Decision On The Wedding Type

Perhaps one of the most logical tips for picking the perfect wedding venue is to make your decision based on the kind of wedding you intend to have. There are two main styles of weddings: cocktail and sit down. Venues will often have different capacities for both, with cocktail weddings being able to accommodate more guests.

While there are lots of capacity options across the peninsula, if you’ve got an especially small or large guest list and are set on having either a cocktail style or sit-down wedding, that should narrow down your choices.

If you’re going for a wedding that’s down-to-earth, organic and intimate, here are 6 Incredible Venues For Rustic Weddings On The Mornington Peninsula.

2. Visit The Venue

One of my favourite ways to get a better feeling about a venue is to actually visit it. You could have a wedding venue website with some of the best photos in the world, but none that will compare to seeing the venue in person.

Getting a feel for the space and beginning to imagine yourself (or not) on your big day is a surefire way to make a more informed decision about a venue. You might find yourself underwhelmed after you thought it looked amazing in the pictures, or it could be overwhelmingly better than you imagined.

As we mentioned above, it’s also important to imagine how your guests will interact with the space when your day comes around. Is there enough space for them to flow rather than have to bunch up in one place? Is your guest list near the limit of this venue’s capacity? If so, it might be worth exploring other options.

Another point to add here is to confirm what the wet weather options are if your wedding is at a time of year when it’s likely to rain. It pays to be prepared, and if you can like both the standard and rain options, then you know you’ll be happy whatever the weather.

3. Meet The Staff

While a wedding venue might be your dream location, it’s equally as important to meet the people running it. Your day is made possible by the staff at the venue, so interacting with some of them beforehand is a great way to find out how your guests will feel during the day.

The vast majority of staff will of course be absolutely fantastic, but it just gives you that extra sense of security if you’ve personally met a few of them and know your day will go off without a hitch. Perhaps make a list of questions to ask a wedding venue before you go that you’re unsure they’ll know the answer to, and see if they go out of their way to help you find out.

Don’t think for a moment that there’s such a thing as a silly question. It’s better to ask it here and get an answer than to have it niggling at the back of your mind during the run-up to your big day.

Your wedding vendors will definitely be your best allies on your bid day. Once you lock in your venue, the rest will surely fall in place. Read more about some local favorites to help you realize your dream wedding. Explore 10 Mornington Peninsula Wedding Florists and 10 Amazing Mornington Peninsula Celebrants for Your Wedding!

4. Go With Your Gut

My biggest piece of advice for you if you’re wondering “How do I find my perfect venue?” is to go with your gut. In reality, you’ve likely already found your ideal wedding venue, you just don’t know it yet.

Believe it or not, there isn’t a specific answer to the question “How many venues should you look at for a wedding”. If there’s a venue you’ve visited that instantly gave you incredible vibes, or perhaps it’s a persistent thought when you’ve visited other locations, chances are that’s the one to go for. Bear in mind, there’s honestly not a bad choice in Mornington. Once you’ve found “the one”, why keep looking?

At the end of the day, while your wedding venue is an integral part of your day, it’s important to not let choosing it get in the way of what really matters. Spending the day with the love of your life and your nearest and dearest family and friends is by far the most important thing. Don’t let choosing the venue be an all-consuming task – just go with your gut instinct and you’ll be happy!

Still looking for a Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer? Or perhaps you’re still wondering “where should I have my wedding?” Get in touch and I’ll answer any questions you have about your upcoming day and we can get things rolling!

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