How do you narrow down venues and vendors?

Definitely use spreadsheets to compare venues you've short-listed!!

I am about to make a deposit on the venue that I want, and we short-listed that place based on recommendations from friends/family/co-workers who have been to the venue as guests, or even held their wedding there!

My fiance and I went through a bunch of venues within our price-point and location preferences first. Then we went around asking a number of people if they have been to the venue in our shortlist (if we haven't been ourselves) and ask for their opinion. In the end, we narrowed it down to 4 locations. My biggest fear was booking a venue no one has been to and it turns out to be a total dud.

I was a little embarassed to ask past brides about their venue because I was worried they would think I'm copying them or something, but everyone was actually really nice about it and some even convinced us to book their venue!

Hope this helps, Happy Planning!!

Hey Nicole Wow! I'm so glad you got all these insights!! I love the spreadsheet idea too! From WeddingWire, there's a tool for you to use where you can manage your vendors:

How To Organize Your Vendors in 5 Steps

It really helps to keep everything all in one place! How's your search for venues going so far? What places have you been looking at? Will your ceremony and reception both be in the same location?

Spreadsheets are the greatest!!

This is exactly what we did! Spreadsheets make me happy and make my life easier, we had it narrowed down to what we wanted (outside ceremony so views from the location were important) and what we didn't want. No dark hotel ballroooms. Then we were just down to price and visiting the site. We saw the first site and did a drive by of the second since they weren't able to meet with us on that particular day. Decided that we loved the first one and didn't need to see anymore! We also really wanted a venue that was one stop shopping for us.

I am obsessed with them- so yeah, totally did!

I used excel to cost out the different options for passed apps vs. buffet tables, and to estimate costs based on guest attendance (just to see what my spend range would be). If you have not already looked- check out the budget sheet wedding wire has (under "my wedding")...you can customize the list, track payments/ deposits, compare actual vs forecasted spend....I have used it faithfully and found it very helpful!

When we were considering drink tickets I also used a spreadsheet to compare these costs...although we did decide it would be better for our event to host an open bar.

Thanks for all the advice. I love the idea of using a spreadsheet. Are there any other spreadsheets that you made that were helpful to planning your wedding? I also agree that the location needs to be sentimental.

AND CAPACITY!!!! That was a huge one when we were looking... totally forgot about it. You don't really want to be at max capacity because everyone will be really crammed in, but if you're way under, the hall can look very empty (like if the hall fits 200 but you're only inviting 50 or something)

Hi Nicole

Welcome to Wedding Wire I'm super excited you are joining the discussions here! Much like Valerie, I made a comparison sheet, and laid out when each venue offered and included for the price. I made a litst of things I really wanted, and eliminated any that didn't measure up. With so many venues to choose from you don't have to settle- just little compromises if you are working in a budget.

A MAJOR factor should be budget and capacity! Can all of the venues you like fit your tentitive guest list? If not- out they go!

Also, stay true to your budget! We all get a little caught up, and if you visit venues that you realistically can't/ shouldn't afford you risk falling in love with a location, and either being disappointed or in a lot of financial trouble.

Negotiate! It never hurts to ask if a package is flexible- you might be able to make a venue you love work if you ask the right questions. The worst they will say is no! Ask with confidence and you might be pleasantly surprised

Does this help? What kind of venues are you looking for? Do you want a luxurous and glamourous wedding, or a more rustic do?

For us we searched online for all of the venues that are located within 15-20 minutes of where we live and we looked at reviews, photos, menus, what they provide, ect. After we looked online we decided to book a meeting with all 10 of the owners or managers... This way we were able to talk to them and ask any questions, get a price quote for what we are looking for, and get to see the venue in person to make sure it is right for us, it meets our needs and wants and if we truly like how it looks. We then went home and we compared all of them and put them in order our favourite to least favourite and we both agreed on the same venue! We are getting married at our Church as that is important to us so that part was easy. We decided on a reception hall that is close to the ceremony location, close to hotels, has food and alcohol provided there, plenty of space for our guests and the dancing and then also they provide decorations and linens so we don't have to go out and spend extra money on all of those things! Also it fit our budget which is extremely important! Hope this helps!

Hey Nicole!

I made a nice spreadsheet (boy I love a good spreadsheet), and I took every possible venue I could want and listed price, what was included, location, pros/cons, online review feedback... all the details I could think of.

Then I took out any that were over our budget, didn't have what I was looking for (I decided I wanted something all-inclusive so I didn't have to deal with so many vendors), or had TERRIBLE online reviews.

I had eventually narrowed down my list to 3 and I had them ranked (first, second, third) by how much I liked them on paper. Then I booked venue tours.

We didn't bother checking out our second 2 choices because the first was absolutely our favourite!!!

For me, I went over what ones were true to who we were as a couple. For example, our ceremony location is at our favourite place and our reception location is at a lake we spent a lot of time at when we first met. If you can find the venues and vendors that mean something to you, or speak something about you two, then you're set! I hope this helped atleast a little. Happy planning!!