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QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING YOUR PERFECT WEDDING VENUE!

2/2/2021

Photo TAKEN AT IRON MANOR IN HOUSTON, TX

by: Dominique Flournoy

There’s more to the perfect wedding venue than just the aesthetics (though good looks are extremely important on your wedding day). There are all sorts of important details you’ll need to cover before you sign on the dotted line. We’ve asked some past and future brides for the key questions they asked when they were searching for their wedding venue. You’ll want to ask these before you book.

Pricing and Availability

Is my date of choice available? If not, are there any surrounding dates available? Or do you have a wait list for dates?
How far in advance can I reserve my date?
What are the rates for different days of the week and times (Friday, Saturday, Sunday; morning, afternoon, evening)? What about different seasons?

A tip for you!
Ideally, you would want your wedding to be the only wedding happening at that venue on your wedding day to avoid any confusion for your guest or the feeling of rushing your special day. If you’re not guaranteed to be the only event that day, find out how much it would cost to do a complete buyout, as well as ask about how the staff handles having multiple events at once.
FRIENDORS! (VENDORS)

Do you have a list of approved or recommended vendors we can use?
Do we have to use your approved vendors? If not, are there limitations or guidelines we need to meet when bringing others in?

A TIP FOR YOU!
If your venue doesn’t require you to use their vendors, ask if there are any they recommend most highly. A vendor who is familiar with your venue will already know the quirks and challenges of the space, which will make your planning process that much easier.

FOOD AND CATERING

Do you have an in-house caterer? If so, are food and beverages included in the venue rental fee?
If there is not an in-house caterer, do we have to choose from a list of approved options, or can we hire our own caterer.

General (yet very important) questions

Is the site handicap accessible?
Are there noise restrictions?
Is parking available on-site? How much space is there? Will guests be charged for parking?
What is the venue’s capacity?
What is the backup plan for rain or inclement weather?
Will your staff be involved in setting up and breaking down the décor? In what capacity?

Picking Your Wedding Date in Houston

12/23/2020

Photo taken at the springs event venue in Houston Texas

By Dominique Flournoy

Ladies! He’s finally popped the question and you of course said yes! One of the challenging tasks when it comes to planning your special day is of course…..the date! With 365 days in a year, you would think it would be pretty easy to pick one day. This is not the case for every bride, especially in Houston.

When it comes to picking the day of your wedding a lot of questions come into factor such as your fiancéor your work or school schedule, potential schedule conflicts, weather and venue availability, and that yearlong calendar looks a whole lot shorter.

Here are a few tips we have that could help you pick the perfect day to start your forever:

Pay attention to the Seasons!

We are in Houston, which means seasons can play a big part in if you are planning on having an indoor or outdoor wedding, and also your wedding’s overall cost. Because of extreme temperatures and humidity, and a general desire among Houstonians to NOT subject their friends and family that are from out of town to our city’s summer weather’s uncertainty, July and August typically are not top choices for Houston weddings.

Fall, on the other hand, tends to be a popular season for weddings in Houston, with its milder temps and unique activities visiting guests would be able to enjoy that only Houston has to offer. However, fall also overlaps with storm season. Tropical storms can affect wedding plans, including guest travel, tenting and, of course, anything scheduled to take place outdoors. If you do opt for an autumn wedding, make sure you have contingency plans in place, especially for events with outdoor features.

Spring, an ideal season for a Houston wedding when it comes to weather, breathtaking floral choices, etc.—but the popularity of the season comes with the challenge of venue and vendor availability, so start planning early.
Winter, a favorite for nuptials here in Houston and offers a great opportunity to plan a “winter wonderland” themed wedding. But if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to choose your florals wisely—many blooms are not in season in winter months, and imported exotic flowers can be on the pricey side.

Look out for Holidays and Special Family Events Conflicting Your Big Day’s Attendance

You would think that Valentine’s Day or New Year’s eve would be the perfect wedding date and we don't blame you. But playing devil’s advocate —if your anniversary were NOT on Valentine’s Day, you’d get TWO romance-fests a year rather than one day to celebrate your love. Guests also may have their own family commitments during major holidays, while flights often are hard to come by and airfares are at a premium, making it difficult for some to attend. When it comes to picking your wedding date it’s best to avoid major holidays, and the weeks immediately before or after. (Though a holiday theme wedding can be fun any weekend of the year!)

It is also important to avoid special or annual events. Thinking about planning a June wedding? Better find out ahead of time if anyone on your guest list is planning to graduate that month or their child. Got a pregnant bridesmaid or other important guest? Make sure your wedding doesn’t fall on her due date or in the three months (at least) after she delivers so she can enjoy your big day along with you.

What day of the week should I get married?
Saturday is the most popular day of the week for weddings—except for Jewish weddings, which are often scheduled for Sundays to avoid taking place on the Jewish Sabbath, and some Indian weddings as well. If you, like the majority of brides, are planning to have a Saturday wedding, make sure you start your planning early, especially if you are determined to have your reception at one of Houston’s most popular venues. These venues often book up a year or two in advance, especially for prime-season Saturdays. Allowing yourself ample flexibility in selecting a venue will go far toward helping you find the right site on the right date for your special day.