08/23/2024
My best tip for having a perfect wedding day? Aside from booking me as your photographer of course, (wink, wink! Lol) I strongly suggest you book a great venue. Not necessarily an expensive venue, that does not always guarantee you a great wedding. Here are some points to consider in your search for the perfect venue.
What constitutes a great venue, you may ask? Aren't all wedding venues the same? No my friend, I assure you they are not all created equal! This is what I have learned after 15 years in the wedding industry.
Things to consider when choosing a venue:
1. Location. What does it look like? Are there beautiful rolling hills? Or is it next to a freeway with lots of noise? Does the location offer beautiful photographic backdrops, or will you have to hold your ceremony there and travel to a second location for pictures? Is this destination accessible to your guests? (This from the girl who got married on a ranch in Covelo, lol). Does it have ample and safe parking for all in attendance?
2. Amenities, what does the venue package come with? Are you renting tables and chairs, or does the venue provide those? Is there a place to get ready on site, or will you have to rent a hotel or Air B&B? Is there any lodging available on site for you or your guests? What other services does the venue provide?
3. Who are the owners of the venue, are they welcoming and accommodating? You would not believe what a HUGE impact this question will make on your actual wedding day, and the planning leading up to the event! I have had brides so stressed out by venue hosts and owners to the point of tears! Will the owner be your point person for all planning and questions regarding the venue, or do they have a coordinator that they require as liaison?
Some venue owners invite you to enjoy yourself on their property and give you general guidelines to follow. Other venues have massive contracts that outline specific rules and restrictions. Some venues even surprise the wedding couple with added "rules" the week of the wedding. My personal favorite was the venue who let the bride know a week before the wedding that all of the wine served at the event was required to be their particular brand, and they had 48 hours to purchase everything. This was news to the couple and not in their original contract. Can you imagine the stress?
My number one rule for a wedding is to take care of my couple above all else- whatever they need, I will make it happen to the very best of my ability. (Ask me about my tie replicating skills, that's another story) I have never understood why other vendors with strong personalities feel the need to make the wedding day about them or their needs/desires above our couple. It baffles me. A wedding is a time to celebrate a couple joining their lives together, it is not a place for added stress or drama.
So you are planning for a stress free wedding? Start with a venue whose hosts are invested in your day, and want the very best for you. This picture reminded me of a wedding I shot several years ago at Red Barn Ranch in Hopland. The beautiful bride had her friend bring this stunning chandelier to the wedding, and wanted a picture of her with her new husband under the chandelier. The chandelier was hung, and when we went to turn it on- nothing happened! The bride was so sad. The venue owner Kris was kind enough to come and splice things up and rewire the chandelier so that it would light up in the darkness so the bride could have her shot! Just going above and beyond for their couples is something Red Barn Ranch is known for.
❤️
