According to data published by Facebook in 2014, 30% of engagements happen in November and December. (There is also a spike in engagements through Valentine’s Day.) Something about the holidays makes people start thinking about the long-term!
That means that we’re coming up on the busiest time of year when it comes to booking a wedding venue. If you’ve been recently engaged, or you’re planning one (we can keep a secret), the time to pick a date and book a venue is now! Before long, all the best venues will be booked solid for those coveted prime dates.
How to Decide on the Perfect Wedding Venue
After deciding on a date for your wedding, it’s time to start researching venues, visiting their websites, making phone calls to see which are available, and booking in-person tours. If you don’t already have a dream venue in mind, consider some of these tips when making your decision.
- Have a Clear View of Your Needs: What’s your budget like? How many people will you be expecting? Will any guests have travel restrictions or need special accommodations? These kinds of questions all need to have clear answers before you can start looking for venues in earnest. There’s no sense in falling in love with a place that’s way outside your budget, or one that’s too small for two large extended families.
- Know Your Aesthetic: Do you want a wedding that’s cozy and intimate, or grand and elegant? Indoors or outdoors? Traditional or modern? A country river view or a historic step back in time in the city? Figuring out what exactly it is you’re looking for is a great way to start your search.
- Visit In-Person: Online walkthroughs and pictures can be a great way to easily familiarize yourself with a venue, but it’s no substitute for an actual visit. Schedule an in-person tour with your shortlist of possible venues as soon as possible—any reputable venue will be happy to have you. Ask lots of questions about the food (do they offer tastings?), service, and whether other events will be going on at the same time as your wedding.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to a Planner: Planning a wedding can be daunting, even just deciding on the venue. Hiring a professional wedding planner can be the difference between a stressful, overwhelmed engagement and one that simply lets you enjoy your fiancée’s company. If it fits your budget, consider talking to a pro.
For Weddings in Connecticut, Riverhouse Hospitality Has Something for Everyone
If you’re planning a wedding in Connecticut, the best place to start your search for a venue is with a call or visit to RiverhouseHospitality.com. The Riverhouse family of wedding and event venues includes its flagship sites, The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, overlooking the Connecticut River from across the historic Goodspeed Opera House, the Society Room of Hartford, located in the heart of downtown Hartford with a stunning turn of the century marble and limestone ballroom setting reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, and Riverhouse Catering, offering first-class catering at scores of venues throughout the state.
Whether you’re looking for an elegant experience in a traditional ballroom, an intimate, modern wedding in an acclaimed art museum like the New Britain Museum of Art or Mattatuck Museum, a rural New England farm experience, or anything in between, Riverhouse Catering can help make your ideal wedding into a reality.
But remember: the date you’ve set won’t be around forever. The sooner you book a venue the better. Don’t hesitate—get in touch with Riverhouse Hospitality to learn more about their acclaimed venues.
Riverhouse Hospitality promises a marriage of elegance and excellence.
