3 Important Considerations For Choosing a Reception Venue

While the most important part of your wedding day might be walking down the aisle, that doesn't mean that you should overlook the afterparty. In fact, the wedding reception has become central to the way that we think about weddings today.

One of the single most important considerations of wedding planning, then, is where to hold your reception. In order to help you make this important decision, we have prepared this simple guide to decide on the perfect location for your first meal, first dance, and the first celebration of your marriage.

1. Wow Factor: According to a 2016 Real Weddings Study by The Knot, nearly half (48%) of all couples listed scenic backdrop and locale as the top priority when planning their reception.
   
   The reason for that is simple. You can hire decorators, caterers, florists, and more to dress up your venue, but you can't create a wow factor in a banal ballroom. Breathtaking vistas and enchanting environs can only be found in wedding venues that are unique and exciting.
   
   Choosing a mountain resort or scenic getaway transforms weddings and receptions into something magical and even otherworldly.

2. Capacity and Space: Not nearly as romantic as your marital milieu, it is important to consider the logistics of any wedding reception venue carefully. And that means more than ensuring that your guest list falls below the capacity limit.
   
   If you are planning to have a DJ, photo booth, or any other inventive attraction at your wedding, it is important to assume that you will need more space to set them up without leaving your guests feeling cramped.
   
   Weddings often require formal dress and can be moderately uncomfortable for guests unfamiliar with wearing a three-piece-suit on a daily basis. Best not to add insult to injury by packing them into a claustrophobic ballroom.

3. Weather : Any middling actor is familiar with the tongue twister that starts, whether the weather is hot, or whether the weather is not… but when it comes to your wedding reception, you should hope for a little more clarity than that.
   
   Even if your reception is taking place in a cozy, warm villa, it is still important to consider how weather might impact the ability of your guests to arrive and leave. After all, you don't want your reception canceled on account of a snow storm you always knew was possible
   
   If you are planning a winter wedding, make sure that your reception is held in an area that will be easily accessible during the worst storm, and in the summer, consider whether or not your guests will have a way to escape the heat.

Weddings can be difficult to plan, but they also offer an opportunity to craft an occasion worthy of the title once in a lifetime. By considering the above, you can turn your reception into a night you will never forget.