In order to make a wedding special, you have to choose a few details along the way.
What is the big deal about a venue anyway? Here’s a look as some very important aspects of choosing your wedding venue in order to make the day go by seamlessly.
Does the venue fit the theme of your wedding?
Everyone nowadays wants to make their wedding personalized. Will the venue you are considering allow you to decorate it, or add your own unique mark to it?
Will the venue accommodate all the guests you are planning to attend? Make sure there will be plenty of space for all your guests!
Will the wedding venue accommodate the reception? Will there be room enough for dancing, and space enough for your guests to be entertained.
Is your venue all inclusive or can you choose your own caterer?
You may have a special caterer who is known for outstanding smoked meat. Can you personalize your wedding by being able to choose your vendors?
Will you venue allow you to bring a photographer of your choosing?
There are some venues who will not allow you to bring your own photographer. Many times the photographers the venues offer are family members providing substandard photography. This is a once in a life time day. By the end, all you will have left is your wonderful relationship and your portraits. Portraits are treasured works of art to be viewed for a lifetime. Make sure you can have the freedom to hire who you want for your wedding.
Does the venue have beautiful landscaping to capture outdoor photos?
If you have hired a professional photographer, but the venue you are getting married in is a metal pole building with parking lot all around it, the photos you will be able to take is limited unless you are able to drive somewhere. If you are getting married in a venue such as this, take a day before and drive around. Look for beautiful grass, mountains, lakes or flowers. Speak with your photographer beforehand. He may have photographed another wedding there and can give you ideas where you might be able to drive after the wedding to take portraits outside.
Recently we photographed a wedding in a metal pole building surrounded by cars and a parking lot. There was little to no beautiful landscaping. The bride was not interested in driving to another location in order to capture scenic portraits of her and her new husband. After her wedding, she regretted not having those scenic portraits that we are known for capturing. We offered to go on location elsewhere on another day. This may be something to consider during wedding planning if your venue is not beautiful or photographable on the outside.
Does the venue have back up options if you have bad weather?
Everyone loves an outdoor wedding. But with the outdoors, have a backup plan in case it rains. Make sure your venue has space where the ceremony and reception can be indoors in case of rain.
Does the venue have adequate parking?
Your guests will arrive in a multitude of cars. Make sure they will have a place to park.
Does the venue offer rooms for your guests or are there rooms nearby where your guests can stay?
Will your venue allow you time to decorate or are there hidden charges for that?
Ask your venue what are all the charges?
Many venues will charge extra for you to come the night before in order to decorate. They will charge you an extra day.
Does the venue have adequate bathroom facilities and are the bathrooms accessible to the handicap?
There are some venues that require you to purchase your own portable bathrooms. Make sure you have a place for your guests and your handicap guests. Some venues have bathrooms with stairs making it impossible for the handicap or elderly to climb. Many barn venues that have grown in popularity recently, have no accommodations for bathrooms. Either that, or the bathrooms are not handicapped accessible.
Below is a list of wedding venues with which we have enjoyed working with to create the most seamless weddings and happy brides.
Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place
Lambert’s Winery
Harrison County Parks and Recreation Center
Falcon Center at Fairmont State University
Benton Grove Bed and Banquet
Bridgeport Conference Center at Charles Pointe
About Tim Ray Photography
Tim Ray has been in the wedding photography business for 28 years. His studio is located n Fairmont, West Virginia. He has photographed over 1000 weddings in West Virginia and the surrounding states not missing a single one for any reason. He has photographed for various publications, websites, and groups. He would love to show you his studio in Fairmont, WV and walk you through his albums, canvases and other print photography products. He can also provide more information on our Why Hire Tim Ray Photography page.
Contact us for more information!
Why Hire Tim Ray Photography to Photograph My Event?
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