It sounds a little strange, I know, but while for some couples a wedding location is the easiest of decisions, for others it is one of the biggest challenges when planning their big day.
When meeting with couples to discuss wedding photography and understand what it is they are looking for in a photographer, the location question always comes up. I often get asked regarding my thoughts on wedding locations so here are several points to consider when deciding on the place that will be hosting your big day.
1. Who are you?
At times, because weddings often involve many family and friends, the bride and groom often focus on making everybody happy. My first tip would be don’t. Now, I know this may sound a little harsh and not for one minute am I suggesting that you don’t care about those attending your wedding. However, it is important to remember that people are coming to celebrate your day and your day should be planned the way you envision it, not other people.
So, if you decide on a beach wedding (check out the pros and cons of beach weddings) go for it. If it’s at your favourite winery, go for it. If you want the ceremony in one location and the reception in another, again, this is your day so when thinking of a location for your wedding, find a place you really love.
2. Always take the weather with you
Yes. The famous words sung by Crowded House may not be related to weddings but perhaps a good song to keep in mind when deciding on a wedding location. The seasons and weather can have a massive impact on your day. Now, fair to say that we can’t control everything, but it certainly makes a difference if you decide to get married in winter or summer. The good news is, no matter what season you decide to tie the knot in, there are plenty of options that would gladly open their doors for the big occasion. Still, make sure you consider the weather during your planning.
3. Who is attending your wedding?
In the first point we spoke about your wedding focusing on you and I still stand by that thought, but often those attending the wedding may have a slight impact on your final decision. For example, if you have guests traveling from afar, you may want to choose a location that has accommodation in the area. If you have grandparents and an older generation attending your wedding, you may want to make sure they have easy access to the location. Or, maybe you have guests coming from overseas and you want to choose a place that you love and one that gives them a great taste of the place.
4. The Budget
In all honesty, I likely should have started with this point because at the end of the day the wedding budget is a big factor in the final decision. Then again, it doesn’t mean that it’s all or nothing. Meaning, if you find a location that may exceed your budget and you really love it, you are likely to find a way to make it work.
Most important, your wedding day is about you, your loved one and your commitment to each other so whatever the final decision is, it will no doubt leave you with many memories.
For more wedding tips and advice, feel free to reach out to me at Sev’s Weddings.
Wishing you a lifetime of happy moments.