We often find ourselves as regulars at the more popular venues in and around the suburbs. That’s great for us! Knowing a venue intimately can help us bring out the best in that space, not to mention make it a much easier set up on the day.
But if there’s one thing that most couples say; that they want a unique event. And what better place to start than with finding a venue, that no one else has discovered. That’s why many couples decide to hire a planner (us!). But if your budget doesn’t permit, or you’d just prefer to be a bit more involved on the day, then check out some of our tips to find the ultimate venue.
Talk to your professionals (and hire a wedding planner!)
It might be stating the obvious here, but talk to your professionals, and if you don’t have a wedding planner, then hire us! Your professionals know people (who know people). As planners and coordinators, we are always working with new vendors. It’s our job as planners to talk to vendors and information gather, be it on trends, new news or even the latest venue. You might even considering hiring planners like us just to source your venue. But if you feel like a planner is not for you, then someone as fundamental as an experienced celebrant, photographer or florist for example, are great sources of information. Talk to them and pick their brain, asking them which are the most memorable venues they’ve ever worked at, and why.
The A List Guide
The thing we love most about the A List Guide, that it isn’t purely JUST for weddings. This means that some of the more less obvious venues are listed. If you’re a quirky couple that might be open to hosting your reception in a funky warehouse space, studio or gallery, than this is a great source. The other great think about the A List website is that you can search based on your number of guests. Perfect for those that don’t want to be teased by options not within their reach.
The Cell Block Theatre at the National Art School in Darlinghurst. Images courtesy James Day Photography.
Google (and there’s more to Google than page 1)
If you are doing your research via any search engine, don’t just stick to page one of the search results. I guarantee that the venues that are going to fit your quirky or unique criteria may not necessarily have what it takes to get their business listed on the first page of Google.
Ecco Ristorante waterfront dining at Drummoyne. Image courtesy Gemma Clark Photography.
Property hunting…literally
If you really want something unique, then a marquee is a great starting point. But planning a marquee affair is an expensive exercise. There are all sorts of costs that you need to factor in, and that’s before you even get to hiring the marquee. If you have enough budget to play with then the sky is the limit with venue hunting. All you need is a picturesque setting and an empty (preferably flat) space. Your marquee supplier may also have a list of possible venues. Or you can use portals like Stayz and HomeAway to find potential properties. Try searching for larger houses (with maximum number of bedrooms). Some do tend to mention if they are appropriate for weddings in the description, but otherwise this is something you will definitely need to alert the owner to prior to hiring as special conditions will apply.
Blogs
There are so many fabulous Australian blogs that publish real weddings. If you haven’t already added some of our favourites like The Lane and Polka Dot Bride on to your blog reader then get cracking. The content is much more local than some of the more popular US blogs, and scouring the real weddings section is a great way to look for anything new and interesting.
Clark Island, where we moved in and installed this wedding reception on a glorious sunshine day. Mammoth effort. Image courtesy Studio Something Photography.
Forums
Forums are a great way of being connected with other brides. The vogue forums are a great place to start, with posts especially dedicated for weddings. You can either use their search tool to find threads relevant to what you’re looking for, or you can start your own thread and find out what others have to say.
Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club. Image courtesy Sugar Love Photography.
It’s easy enough to find a great venue with the metropolitan area, you really are spoiled for choice. Great food and wine, definitely makes some properties more popular than others. Use a variation of search strategies to come up with a list of possible venues, and then your budget to make your short list. A great reception is the one thing that guests will remember (other than what the bride is wearing). If you do have the time, energy and a bit of money up your sleeve then it is entirely possible to do something quite unique, something you can truly call your own masterpiece.
