After you get engaged, one of the first thoughts that may cross your mind is location. As an events company based in the Pacific Northwest, Elegant Affairs has been fortunate enough to work with some of the most beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces that this corner of the world has to offer; and that’s just in the PNW! There are gorgeous venues throughout the world and as a newly engaged couple, this venue world is your oyster…almost to a fault! There are so many choices that it can be intimidating, making it difficult to narrow them all down to one space. Here are a few things to think about as you go about picking your perfect venue.

1.      Hot or cold. First and foremost, you need to decide if you’re shooting for a summer or winter event. This will help you steer toward an indoor vs. outdoor space, or a venue that offers both. From here you can start deciphering the finer details of what you’re looking for.

2.      Distance. Secondly, consider distance and travel when it comes to the guests you wish to invite on your special day. If your great aunt and uncle are required to be in attendance, contemplate the means of transportation by which they will be traveling to the location and how long it will take for them to do so. You want to be considerate without sacrificing your own dream location; but what makes a party is the people, right? You want everyone you love (whether this number be large or small) to take part in a celebration that you’ll remember for the rest of you and your partner’s life. This holds true for how many kids will be there and what that age group entails as well. One more item that is linked with distance; expense. Anything can ultimately be managed for you and yours, but deliberate with your other half about an average budget your guests can afford when it comes to travel expenses.

3.      Budget. Now we’ll start looking at budget since you have a general idea of what and where. It’s always fun to tour different venues, but you don’t want to fall in love with something that you won’t be able to afford; the heartbreak can be unreal in this situation. Talk it over with your partner and when you come to a mutual agreement, begin to tour the venues you can afford following the above guidelines you’ve already laid out for yourself. This will make the process much less stressful knowing you can say yes if you want to. You will be confident and excited when you look at the owner of the venue and say, “we’ll take it.”

4.      Your needs. After you’ve decided on indoor/outdoor (or combination), the distance/general geographical location you’re aiming for, and the budget you and your other half have decided upon, you can finally look at the nitty gritty; what you want your wedding to feel like, look like, and where everyone will be prepping, eating, and dancing. This is the most fun!

Although it can be a bit intimidating, picking out the perfect venue for you and your fiancé can be a joyful and thrilling experience if you follow these