One of the first things to consider after

becoming engaged is your wedding venue. After choosing the right spot, many of the other details of your special day will fall into place, including your décor, colors and style.

How do you choose the right wedding venue for your needs? Keep these hints in mind as you search.

Introduction

Your venue space must be large enough to

comfortably accommodate your guest list.

Your guests will need room to eat, mingle and dance, and other wedding essentials like a DJ setup, tables, bar, buffet and chairs can take up plenty of space.

A Roomy Fit

To better assess the size of a space, ask to

sneak a peek of the room when it is set up for another wedding with a size similar to yours.

If you really have your heart set on a smaller space, tailor your guest list so that it fits.

A Roomy Fit

The space should logically divided into areas

where your guests can dine, drink and dance.

Dining, Drinking and Partying Areas

When visiting your potential venue, try to imagine where these activities would happen.

You will feel cramped if the space seems too

small to accommodate these activities accordingly, and an oddly-shaped room may disrupt the flow of your party.

Take notice of columns that may block the view of your guests during special moments, like the first dance.

Dining, Drinking and Partying Areas

If you dream of getting married in a public

botanical garden, park or beach, be prepared for onlookers to gape at your party.

They may even stop to wish you well. If you want a more private gathering, consider a private estate, golf course or hotel courtyard.

Privacy

Keep gate-crashers at bay by hiring a security

team, and ask your venue if other events will be held at the same time as your celebration.

If the space next door is hosting karaoke night, you may be able to hear off-key Madonna tunes belted out while you are trying to cut your cake.

Privacy

The mood of a space is often defined by

lighting. If you are exchanging vows during the day, make sure your space has plenty of windows. At night, make sure it is not too dim.

Visit your potential venue at the time of day you would like to get married because it may look very different at other times.

Lighting

If you have your heart set on a certain color

palette for your wedding, the existing décor at your venue can really ruin the effect if it clashes.

Most hotel ballrooms and other popular wedding spaces are usually decked out in neutral color palettes, but other venues may have curtains, carpets, chairs or walls that really clash with your chosen colors.

The Right Color

Ensure that the potential venue has access to a good

parking lot, street or garage that guests can park at legally.

If parking is an issue, think about other transportation options, like offering vans or shuttle busses.

Inadequate parking does not have to be a deal breaker, but you do have to figure out a good alternative for transportation.

Plenty of Parking