WDW: How To Search For Your Venue

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WDW: How To Search For Your Venue

 

Hello lovebirds,

 

Here at We Do Weddings, we specialize in helping you search for your ideal wedding venue!

 

When it comes to finding that perfect match of a venue, a lot of details can come into play!

 

Today we wanted to run through our search parameter options so you can know exactly what they mean and how to use them!

 

Let’s jump in!

 

Location:

Where do you want to get married, put the city name in there!

 

Time Frame:

When do you want to get married? The system can be as specific as you want it to be…

  1. Specific Date — example: if you want to get married 10/7/22
  2. Specific Date Range — example: if you want to get married sometime in the month of November 2022
  3. Period of Time — example: if you are looking to get married sometime in the next 6-9 months

 

Price Range:

What is your budget? How much do you want to spend?

 

Guest Count:

How many people do you want to have at your wedding? What can venues accommodate?

 

Ceremony Site– Indoor/Outdoor:

Where do you want to get married? Are you a fan of indoors or out?

 

Alcohol Availability:

Does the venue allow alcohol? Does the venue provide alcohol? Do you have to provide your own alcohol?

 

Catering Availability:

Does the venue provide catering? Do you have to provide your own catering?

 

In House Florist Availability:

Does the venue provide a florist? Do you have to provide your own florist?

 

In House Planner Availability:

Does the venue provide a planner? Do you have to provide your own planner?

 

Lodging Capabilities:

Does the venue provide any lodging options for overnight guests?

 

 

See lovebirds, so easy right?

We hope this little refresher on how to use the site was helpful!

If you need any additional help, let us know. That is what we are here for!

 

Until then, sending lots wedding vibes you way!

Cheers to your searching fun,

C+K

 

Top 5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Venue

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Top 5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Venue

Hello again lovebirds,

As you know, we love all things wedding venues! So, today we thought we could talk about the Top 5 things we think you should look into when choosing a venue!

While there are so many details to think about when deciding on what venue you want for your wedding day, we think these five things are crucial and can really help you when it comes to decision time.

Let’s take a look!


Here are the Top 5 Things To Look For When Choosing A Venue

  1. Privacy
  2. Space
  3. Features You Like
  4. Available Backup Plans
  5. Good Customer Service

Now, let’s break them down!

Privacy:

When getting married it may be important to you that the venue belongs to just you and your event the day of. When talking to venues, see if you have to share the space! Privacy also comes into play when getting ready and preparing for the day. Especially if you aren’t sure that you want to do a first look, think about asking about a specific and private space where you and your spouse-to-be can get dressed and prepped ahead of the ceremony!

Space:

Having enough space to do everything you want during your wedding is a big deal. The most beautiful venue in the world may exist but if it cannot fit the needs of your guest count, then you may want to think about looking elsewhere (or resizing your guest list). Make sure the space can accommodate your guest count and that it has enough space to do things you want to do like have a cocktail hour, dance, photo booth, etc.!

Features You Like:

this one always has us thinking of that sentiment, “you only get married once”…well if you only do this once, it is important that you love the space you marry in. If there is something specific your heart desires in a wedding venue, like an outdoor ceremony space, lodging, or a built in bar, seek out venues that have those special details. The more you love about the space, the more you will love your wedding day. Don’t compromise on details, they will be what make you smile come the day of and when looking back at pictures.

Available Backup Plans:

Texas is known for its crazy weather. One minute it is sunny and beautiful, the next it is pouring down rain. If you really love a venue, make sure they have provisions in place come yucky weather days. THEN, make sure that rain plan is okay with you. Bad weather plans usually involve tenting (which can be more money) or doing an indoor ceremony. Do your homework here!

Good Customer Service:

Working with a great team is so important when it comes to wedding planning. See if you like the vibe your venue gives off during the tour, through email, via phone, etc. If you don’t love the staff, communication may be difficult and you do not want to deal with the additional stress during wedding planning! Make sure your personalities mesh!!

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing a venue, lovebirds! 

There are even more things to consider than just what is on this list.

If you have questions or concerns about your venue prospects, let us know! We are always happy to help!

Until then, do your homework and FALL IN LOVE with a venue!

Sending you all the food luck vibes! Cheers!

Xo,

C+K


  

The Guest List: What You Need To Think About

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The Guest List: What You Need To Think About

 

Well hello there, lovebirds!

 

How is the wedding planning journey going? We certainly hope very well!

 

Today we are going to talk about a very specific piece of the wedding planning puzzle: The Guest List.

 

Believe it or not the guest list may be the most important part of your wedding planning process. Guest lists determine quite a few things.

 

  1. Guest lists will give you an idea of what overall pricing for the big day may be

  2. They will help determine the venue you book

  3. It will help determine whether you want to do a buffet or seated dinner

  4. They will help determine whether you want to do a full bark or just beer and wine

  5. Guest lists will help you know how many save the dates/invitations/thank you notes you need to send

 

These are only a couple of things the guest count can affect…but do you see how many details it really touches come wedding day?

 

It can also be a point of major stress for couples. A lot of brides and grooms think they need to invite everyone in the world…we are big believers in inviting WHO YOU WANT to your wedding.

 

We have some tips on how to conquer the guest list so it is an enjoyable process rather than a stressful task to check off your wedding planning to-do list.

 

Keep budget in mind

If you have a final wedding budget in place when it comes to spending for the big day, this will help you in a multitude of ways! Depending on what your budget is, this will help you to know how many people you can easily afford to invite to your wedding. Take into account the price per head for feeding and serving alcohol to your guests as one of the first priorities when planning your wedding. By knowing what this price will be, it will help you determine if you can afford 100 people or 500 people.

 

Saying No is OKAY

A lot of couples get plagued with ideas and requests from their friends and families when it comes to the guest list. Peer pressure is a very real thing when you have people begging you to invite their significant other or their friend of their friend…the list goes on. If there are people you do not want at your wedding, it is simple, don’t invite them! Stay true to who you and your partner want at the wedding. If you are surrounded by people you want to have at the wedding, your heart will be full come wedding day. Follow your gut, invite the important and meaningful people!

 

Divide and conquer

This may seem a bit harsh, but we really think it helps! Guest lists can seem huge and daunting, so why not break it up? By having a list A: All the people you want at the wedding and then a list B: All the people you need at the wedding and then a list C: the ideal list that makes up your dream wedding guest list, this will help you prioritize and cut down should you need to!

 

Lastly, if you take anything from this read, it would be that we hope you enjoy making your guest list. It is one of the fun and “easy” parts of the process where you can snuggle up with your love, have a date night and brainstorm! 

 

Make it a sweet moment the two of your will cherish always!

 

If you need help or have any questions, we are always here! Also, take a look at this awesome selection of Guest List forms from Zola.com

 

Until next time, lovebirds…

Cheers to guest lists and love!

 

Conor and Kaitlyn

Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Venue

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Hello lovebirds,

 

On today’s blog we wanted to talk about the importance of knowing the Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Venue — doing your homework and talking to venues BEFORE YOU BOOK!

Sure, a venue may look great and may visually be the perfect place for you to wed. BUT, do they answer all the below questions correctly for your needs and wants?

Today we are discussing our Top 10 Questions we think you should ask a venue BEFORE booking with them.

 

Let’s dive right in on Questions You Should Ask Your Wedding Venue:

 

What’s your availability around my ideal wedding date?

Availability is the key ingredient to your wedding. If the venue doesn’t have your ideal date, you have to consider if your date is flexible OR do you need to move on to another venue that is available?

 

What all is included in your rental cots?

It is SO important to know what all you are paying for when you book with a venue. Is the cost they quote in their initial email/meeting with you ALL INCLUSIVE or will there be additional fees later on? Make sure you get an itemized list of what all is including in the cost for booking with the venue, i.e. tables, chairs, hours, staffing, etc.

 

How many guests can the venue accommodate?

Guest count is a big thing to consider as well. Some venues are very constricted by their size, so if you are looking at having a larger event, make sure that dream venue can accommodate that guest count both INSIDE and OUTSIDE.

 

How many hours are included in the rental?

Timing is a crucial element of your wedding day. You need to figure out exactly when you can come to the venue on your wedding day and when you need to leave the wedding venue. This timeline is helpful when considering where you will get dressed and when the reception needs to end. Typically, wedding venues allow 10hour windows for their rentals, so if you need more time, be sure to check in with them about options.

 

What wedding packages do you have, and what’s included in each of them?

Figuring out if your venue has levels of investment is always a good idea. Perhaps you love the wedding venue but their Saturday rates are way too costly for you. Consider asking if their rates are lower for weekdays or Fridays/Sundays. This way you may be able to get your dream venue but at a more friendly price.

 

Do you host more than one event on the same day? If so, how many other events will be booked for the same day as my wedding?

This is one of our favorite questions. We are big believers that your wedding day should be YOUR wedding day. A great question to have answered is if the wedding venue is all yours for the day or if you will have to share with other events happening at the same time. If you do have to share, also think about asking how they plan to separate and not blend multiple events.

 

How far in advance can we reserve a date?

Again, timing is key in all things wedding planning. If you are looking at getting married only 1 month after getting engaged some venues might not only be booked up but they might have a planning period requirement as well. Make sure to figure out availability for your dream venue!

 

Is there an outdoor AND indoor space?

Especially in Texas, this is a great question thanks to our crazy weather! If you are a fan of outside events it is nice to know if there is an indoor rain plan!

 

Does your venue have a bridal suite/groom’s den?

Getting ready is a big part of the initial part of the wedding day. Make sure to ask your venue if they have designated spaces for you and your spouse-to-be to get ready or hold items during the wedding day.

 

Do you have any vendors we have to use?

Preferred vendors VS. partnered vendors is a big difference. Your venue most likely has lists of people that can work at the venue BUT do they have any requirements on who you must work with for different vendor categories? Be sure to ask!

 

Hopefully, all these questions will help you feel more prepared when looking at venues and booking your dream venue.

For more helpful ideas about connecting with your venue, check out this article from Shutterfly.

 

All of the venues on We Do Weddings will be more than happy to assist you with these questions and will do whatever they can to help you find the right venue fit.

 

Good luck doing your venue homework and remember to HAVE FUN!

Until next time lovebirds, cheers to love!

C+K

 

 

Wedding Planning: DIY OR Getting Help

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Wedding Planning: DIY OR Getting Help

Hello lovebirds, welcome back to the We Do Weddings Blog!

Today we want to talk about Wedding Planning: DIY or Getting Help…the two roads of wedding planning: DIY versus hiring a planner/coordinator.

Let’s get started with a little education about DIY! For some couples this is the best option as they really want to personalize and touch every single element of their big day.

Here are some good things to know about the DIY Road if you are looking into handling all the planning and details of your wedding day.

 

1.Get Organized

Believe it or not, there are so many LITTLE details that go into a wedding day like what kinds of petals the flower girls will throw, what time do the men show up to the venue, where should the cake be placed, etc.

We highly recommend keeping a binder filled with all your wedding planning journey notes. This way you can have everything located in the same spot to review and remember whenever you need!

2.Have A Planning Timeline

When you hear, timing is everything…it really is everything. You have to have your dress ordered
by a certain time, you have to have your venue booked and matched with your other vendor’s availability, you have to send out invitations in a timely manner…everything in the wedding world is on a clock!

Make it easier on yourself at the very beginning! Have a starting point of planning and an ending point of planning and make sure you put in all the crucial dates and timelines that happen in between!

3.Play to Your Strengths and Likes

If you focus on things you love and are good at, the DIY process is going to go so much more smoothly. If you are not a cake baker, don’t try and make your wedding cake…give that job to someone else. Focus on what you CAN DO and LIKE to do! By doing this, you will feel more accomplished because you will be able to check off your to do list instead of fretting over what cannot be done.

4. Ask For Help!

Never be afraid to ask for help! You can certainly ask for help from a planner but friends and family members are there too! Make sure to ask help from people you trust and that you know will get the job done. The sentiment, “it takes a village” is a good one. Trust in that system and let people help you. Plus it will be something so special to bond over!

Now, let’s focus on the other road! Here is a bit of education about who and what Wedding PLANNERS and Wedding COORDINATORS do. Some people think planning help is an unnecessary wedding expense, but we are big believers that they can make your wedding day dreams come true and then some!

 

1.Wedding Planner:

Wedding planners are all about the logistics, from vendor referrals and contract negotiation to day-of execution of your vision. “Planners take the guesswork out of the process, making planning a wedding as seamless and smooth as possible,” says Renny Pedersen, owner and creative director of Bliss Weddings & Events. “A planner will keep track of your budget and handle the logistics. This is a skill that many can learn, but only the best planners have the years of experience and credentials that set them above the rest.”

2. Wedding Coordinator:

Coordinators make sure everything you’ve done up until they take over is in good shape. According to Brides “Hiring a coordinator to take over the month before your wedding gives them time to tweak any details and follow up on loose ends,” says event planner Andie Cuttiford. Everything is in order, nothing is forgotten, and you’re free to enjoy your wedding day.

Depending on what you need or want help with, these specific people may be a great thing to allocate your wedding budget to!

If you are someone who would like help or just needs some assistance throughout the planning journey, a planner or coordinator may be the right fit for you. From helping you secure a wedding date to helping clean up after the reception, planners will hold your hand and help you with every detail along the way.

 

We always love to know what brides and grooms end up choosing. Are you a DIYer or do you believe in the power of a planner?

Let us know!

We can’t wait to hear!

 

Until then, sending all the love and wedding vibes your ways lovebirds!
C+K

Texas Wedding Budgets: All You Need To Know

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Texas Wedding Budgets: All You Need To Know

 

Hello Lovebirds,

 

Today we wanted to talk about hands down, the most important part of wedding planning: YOUR Wedding Budget!

When you get engaged, it is such an exciting time and you want to dive right into planning your big day, are we right?

 

BUT…so many people forget the key ingredient to a successful day: staying within their wedding budget!

 

According to The Knot, the average overall cost of a Texas wedding is $30,200

To put that into perspective, it is the same investment as buying a 2021 Camaro…

 

However, something we really want to focus on is that your wedding budget is YOUR wedding budget and you can have a beautiful wedding no matter the price tag!

 

That is why we wanted to dive a little deeper today and showcase some general estimates of what all can go into a wedding budget.

 

Here is a breakdown of costs for the average price tag per vendor here in Central Texas. Keep in mind all these prices are an ESTIMATE and are subject to be lower or higher depending on the vendors you choose.

 

Texas Wedding Budgets: All You Need To Know

DAY OF EXPENSES:

Wedding Venue: $10,500

Wedding Planner: $3,000 (usually will be lower if you are just looking at month/day of)

Catering: (price per person): $100 – min

Alcohol: $2500 (wine and beer, cocktails will be higher)

Wedding Photographer: $2,400 (depends on photographer and hours of coverage)

Wedding Florist: $5,000

Wedding Rentals: $3,000 (can vary greatly here depending on details)

Wedding Lighting + Decor: $3,000 (ex: uplighting, draping)

Wedding cake: $500

Band: $4,500

DJ: $1,200

Transportation: $1,000

Videographer: $1,800

 

Texas Wedding Budgets: All You Need To Know

Other Important Factors:

A wedding dress: $2,000

Invitations: $600

Wedding Hair: $100/person

Wedding Makeup: $100/person

Rehearsal dinner: $1,900

Photobooth: $600

 

Total of all the above:

$52,700

 

Now, that number right there might be a scary one! Not to worry! This is again, just an estimate and can absolutely be tailored to your budget and dream needs.

 

Not everyone wants a 100+ person wedding, you do not have to have everyone get their hair and makeup done, you don’t have to spend on lighting and decor if you don’t want to.


The most important thing to keep in mind is that your wedding is going to be beautiful no matter what!


We always recommend to our brides to list out the five most important things they want to have on their wedding day. List those five important things out and allow your budget to really lend itself to those important things. This is a sure way to make sure you are happy with your wedding and that it is a moment you will cherish forever.

 

Texas Wedding Budgets: All You Need To Know

Example of a Top 5 list:

  1. Wedding Photography — so you can have beautiful images to hold on to always
  2. Catering — so your guest LOVE the food
  3. Venue – you want a venue that you LOVE
  4. Wedding Planning — you need help and WANT help
  5. Music – you want to make sure the party is a great one!

 

We hope this budget breakdown helps you to know about all the possible costs that are connected with a wedding day!

 

If you need any help with staying in budget or have questions about how to stay in budget, let us know! We are here to chat and help always! We also are big believers in wedding planners and can connect you with some fabulous ones in the Central Texas area!

 

Until next time lovebirds, all our love!

C+K

 

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