Building Your Wedding Around Your Venue
The venue is one of the most important factors in planning your wedding. Typically, you need to book the space for the event long before you even consider most of the other elements. With so much thought placed behind this one decision, it makes sense that plenty of couples decide to make the venue a centerpiece in and of itself. Molding the overall aesthetic of your event around the venue can make your life a lot easier and introduce some creative ideas you may have not considered otherwise.
There are a handful of different ways you can approach this idea. With a bit of imagination, you’ll start to figure out exactly how to use the look of the venue to your advantage.
The Venue Look
The obvious way to match your wedding’s theme to the venue is by using the actual layout and design in your planning. If you’re getting married in a refurbished barn, for example, then you’ll want the rest of your theme to have a rustic feel. Similarly, a venue located near the ocean might lend itself to a beach aesthetic. While important, the appearance of the venue is far from the only element to consider when putting together your wedding.
The lighting can also make a big difference in how you arrange the space, decorate, and carry out the festivities. For daytime events, you’ll want to pinpoint all sources of natural light. How light enters a space will dictate how your photos turn out and how appealing the space looks overall. Work with your photographer and the venue manager to optimize how you use lighting throughout the reception. With events at night, you can get creative with the lighting setup provided by the venue or bring outside sources to illuminate the event how you see fit.
The History
Plenty of venues are rich with history and lore. From castles to graveyards to private islands, every location you consider for your wedding has a story to tell. If you want to work the venue into the wedding in a less direct way, think about incorporating some of the history into the mix. If you host your reception in a space that was once used as the site for roaring parties in the 1920s, think about giving your wedding a decadent edge like the kind that era was known for.
The space doesn’t need to be entrenched in various historical factoids, either. The connection you experience with the venue can be one that is personally significant. It is quite common for couples to get married in venues that their own parents or grandparents used. This level of personal connection can be far more meaningful when it comes to a sentimental event like a wedding. Find a place to display photos from the weddings of previous generations, and allow guests to wander through your family’s history as part of your big day.
The Area
A venue is not an isolated location. The space exists as part of a larger community, which typically dictates a lot of its history and appearance. If you want to use your venue to the fullest, think about how you can incorporate local customs and aesthetics. This is a great idea with destination weddings, allowing you the chance to make the traditions and delicacies of the region a cornerstone in your own experiences. If there are any noteworthy natural wonders nearby, like waterfalls or scenic views, be sure to get photos incorporating them.
Every decision involved with planning your wedding is significant for one reason or another. With the venue, however, there is a lot you can take into consideration. Get creative and you can easily make the location of your wedding a key element in the look and feel of your special day.
