One of the first things to secure for any event is a location. Without it, your guests will not know where to show up and you may not be able to invite all the people you want. There are several factors one should consider in choosing a location.
Cost-
The first thing to consider is the cost. Sitting down and figuring out exactly how much you can afford for a venue before you start shopping is a great thing to do. This will be the place where everything will happen, try not to go with the cheapest option, even if it looks like it has “potential”. You may spend less in the long run if you get a venue that looks great and won’t take much decorating. You may like a venue for a particular piece of architecture like a chandelier or staircase. Whatever your reason, know how much you can afford before you look.
Size-
If the location is too large it will look empty. Have you ever gone to a party where the dance floor just seems empty? The same thing can happen if you have fifty guests in a place made to hold 300. However, trying to crowd 200 guests in a venue made for 100 will not go over well either. People will feel crowed and may leave because of this feeling. As guests leave, it can have a cascading effect causing more guests to leave. Try to size your venue relatively close to the guest count. Remember, not all the invited guests will show up, but some guests will bring a friend and hopefully balance it out.
Lighting-
Nothing kills photography or cinematography like bad lighting. Mixed light is the worst. Look at the light bulbs in the fixtures to see if the color is all the same. The big shifts will be between blue and orange, and green and red. The easiest way to see the difference is to turn on all the lights in the venue and see what you have. If you are considering having a DJ or Event Service to bring in up lighting, placement will affect the look and feel of the venue. Consult a coordinator, photographer, or designer for more help and guidance in this area. This will ensure a beautiful event and gorgeous photos by which to remember it.
Landscaping-
Even if the plan is to have the event inside, the outside can make a big difference too. Look for trees, flowers, hedges and the such. It doesn’t need to be a jungle, but some well manicured landscaping can sure make a place look better when the guests arrive. This will be the first impression they have of the venue and can color how they view the inside. Additionally, the outside can provide great photography opportunities.
