Dear Brides,

It is THAT time of year again.  The time when venues begin getting emails that say,  “Our date is October 20^th, 2019- do you have that open?”  We don’t, and we have had it booked for a year and a half.  We have heard horror stories of brides sending out Save The Dates and then not being able to find a venue.

October is the busiest time of year for venues.  The other busiest times are the rest of the year!  Sometimes August can be slow – but we have all our August dates booked.

If you are just wanting a particular date – you will always need to book early.  Yes – we have 10-10-20 already booked 19 months early.

We understand that there are special dates – but the venue makes the wedding, not the date!  Please be flexible with your dates.  If the date is reflective of important family events, first dates, proposals – remember that it is always nice to have something new to celebrate!

Important Factors for Looking for a Venue:

1. Will it fit the amount of people you are inviting – or are you willing to invite less?
2. Is there a great back-up plan if it is an outside venue?
3. If you are having several bridesmaids – are there enough electrical outlets and room for you to all get ready?
4. How difficult and expensive will it be to decorate the venue?
5. How flexible are the staff with your needs and requirements?
6. Who will be there the day of your wedding for emergencies?
7. Are there hotels near by?

Oh…there are so many more – please know we LOVE helping to guide you towards the right venue if ours is not a good fit.  We are professionals and love to share our knowledge.

One of the hardest things as a venue owner is to see a couple get stuck on a date.  It always makes us sad  because we know they are shutting the door to so many wonderful venues.   And of course – we hate to see devastated faces when couples and their families love everything about our venue – but don’t book because they just have to have that ONE date.  We even had one couple who had already sent out their “Save the Dates” before they found a venue and booked!

Your date does not MAKE your wedding.  Your friends, and family and the setting you choose make your wedding!  Let me try to make an analogy.  Suppose the day you want for vacation, only Six Flags was open.  But if you would choose the next day – You could go to Disneyworld.  Wouldn’t you want to choose Disney World because of how much more it offers? Not that Six Flags isn’t a lot of fun…. but you are giving up a wonderful opportunity over a day.

The best choice is usually picking a date range first. It may even be over a few months. Go through your calendar – put in all the other events, holidays, family obligations, work schedules, other friends’ weddings and see where there is an opening.  And then when you visit or email venues you do not have to mark the best venues and your favorites off the list.

Also consider birthdays – how would you feel if your birthday was close to your anniversary and so you never really felt fully celebrated on your birthday?  Are you a presents person?  Then this might cause future resentment.  Seems silly – but it happens.  Trust me. You want your anniversary to be a time when you can truly celebrate JUST THE TWO OF YOU!

Of course, some of you are getting married at churches with limited openings and you HAVE to make the church choice your first priority. That’s understandable.  My advice then is to get the church booked AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – so you can have more choices with your venue.

Choosing the date first limits you and causes stress you shouldn’t have to experience.  It also keeps you from giving up what you love best in the venue that no longer has your date.  We recommend you don’t do that to yourself.  But if you do just remember there is going to be a lot of disappointment in your search.  And if the date is worth that – then you be you!?

Karly & JR got married at Avalon Legacy Ranch and recently we asked them a bit about their day! We wanted to share some absolutely stunning photos by Kate Pease and a little bit of insight from a past bride!

www.katepease.com

What was the most memorable part about your wedding day?

How did you know JR was “the one”?

www.katepease.com

What set Avalon Legacy Ranch apart from other venues you looked at?

www.katepease.com

What do you wish you would have known during the planning process that you know now?

www.katepease.com

What was your favorite part about being engaged?

www.katepease.com

www.katepease.com

Thanks, Karly, JR & Kate!

Are you planning any special details for your wedding day? Tell us in the comments!