As a Christian couple, there are a few important things to know before beginning your venue search.

While we are still in the midst of COVID-19, take a moment to review our latest resources to better prepare yourself before you begin considering venues.  

Critical to do before the search begins:

• Discuss & select your ceremony time
  • {Before noon/12-4pm/after 5pm/still don’t know} 
• Discuss & select your reception time
  • {Before noon/12-4pm/after 5pm/still don’t know} 
• Determine if ceremony will be at a church or at an alternate venue

Advice for a successful search:

• Consider if you prefer to host the ceremony at a church and reception at a separate venue.
• If one location is your preference, consider venues that have a chapel on site or options for an outdoor ceremony.
• Make a decision on what you want before you start venue hunting  – don’t waste time at venues that aren’t a fit  
• Keep the travel between church and reception hall to a 30-minute drive
• Decide which venue is higher on your priority list.  The church or the reception.
  • If it’s the church, start with identifying the best choices for you
  • If it’s the reception, begin the search there

Venue search prep questions.

For the church:

• Date of event and time?
• Guest Count?
• Are there specific requests based on your denomination needs? If so, know these prior to calling churches. 
  • Ex: your priest must conduct the ceremony, you need to use a censer for the ceremony, etc

For the reception:  

• Date of event?
• Guest Count?
• Is the type of venue important to you?
  • Ex: Stand-alone, hotel or country club 
• What type of bar options do you want? 
  • Open/cash/premium/beer & wine only?
  • How many hours of bar time will you need?
  • Will there be a cocktail hour?
  • Will you have the bar open during dinner? 
  • What is your bar budget?  (Refer to your Budget Estimator)
• What food do you want to offer? 
  • American fare
  • Desi catering
    • Appetizers only? 
    • Complete dinner?
    • Dinner options added onto American menu?
    • Desserts only? 

DesiWeds Insights:
Read Let the Hunting Begin for more tips and questions to ask venues during your search.