Wedding Planning 101: What To Look for in a Wedding Venue
Choosing the perfect wedding venue is one of the most crucial decisions you'll make during your wedding planning journey. The right venue sets the tone for your big day, influences the aesthetic and impacts your guests’ experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this essential task:
Location and Accessibility
Proximity: Consider venues that are conveniently located for the majority of your guests. If you have many out-of-town guests, proximity to airports and hotels is crucial.
Transportation: Ensure there are ample parking facilities or easy access to public transportation. For remote venues, consider arranging shuttle services.
Tamory Hall Location and Accessibility: Tamory Hall is located in the heart of downtown Pella, just 40 miles south of the Des Moines metro. Our historic venue is within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and amenities for an expertly planned and hosted wedding weekend.
Capacity and Space
Guest List: Have a rough estimate of your guest list before venue hunting. Ensure the venue can comfortably accommodate your number of guests.
Layout: Look at the flow of the venue. Is there enough space for different sections like the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and dancing? Are there any awkward spaces that might hinder guest movement?
Tamory Hall Capacity and Space: Our venue is designed with flexibility and flow in mind. With a capacity of over 300, each space is curated to seamlessly transition from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception and dancing. See each of our spaces here.
Style and Ambiance
Aesthetic: Choose a venue that aligns with your wedding theme and style. Whether it’s a rustic barn, a chic rooftop, or an elegant ballroom, the venue should reflect your vision.
Décor Flexibility: Some venues have a lot of built-in décor, while others are blank slates. Determine how much decorating you’ll need to do to achieve your desired look.
Tamory Hall Style and Ambiance: Tamory Hall offers a blend of classic historic beauty, modern elegance and industrial chic with accents that are designed to fit the style of any couple. From classic elegance and vintage romance to bohemian and minimalism, we love seeing the personalization each couple brings to our space. See how Tamory has been styled here.
Services and Amenities
On-Site Catering: Many venues offer in-house catering, which can simplify your planning. If you have specific culinary preferences, ensure the venue can accommodate them.
Vendor Flexibility: Some venues have preferred vendors, while others allow you to bring in your own. Check if there are any restrictions or if you’re required to use their list.
Staffing: Ask about the staff-to-guest ratio, and what roles the venue staff will play during the event.
Tamory Hall Services and Amenities: While Tamory Hall does not provide in-house catering, Tamory welcomes all licensed caterers. If needed, we are happy to assist you with the selection of a caterer or provide you with a list of our preferred caterers in the area. We are also happy to refer you to any other vendors you may need help selecting. As for staffing, each Tamory wedding package includes a Tamory Hall point of contact, wait staff and event staff.
Budget Considerations
Rental Fees: Understand what the rental fee includes and what additional costs you might incur. Ask about overtime fees, service charges and taxes.
Package Deals: Some venues offer all-inclusive packages which can save you time and money. Compare these to à la carte pricing to see which offers better value.
Tamory Hall Inclusive Budget Considerations: Tamory Hall offers inclusive pricing on all wedding necessities from the space and tables and chairs to linens and staff. View a full description of what’s included with each of our packages here.
Logistics and Coordination
Setup and Clean-up: Understand who is responsible for setting up and breaking down the event. Some venues provide full-service options, while others require you to handle these tasks.
Coordination: Determine if the venue offers a dedicated coordinator to assist with the planning and execution of your event. Their expertise can be invaluable.
Tamory Hall Logistics and Coordination: Every Tamory couple has a point of contact for all things Tamory leading up-to and the day-of your event. From vendor recommendations and a customized floor plan, your Tamory point of contact will partner with you to ensure your wedding comes together effortlessly. Your Tamory point of contact will also be present the day of your event to assist with room setup and to welcome your vendors and help them feel at home. Our event staff is in charge of setting up and tearing down, candle lighting and setting tables, allowing you to focus on your day.
Personal Touches
Exclusive Use: Some couples prefer venues that offer exclusive use, meaning no other events will take place on your wedding day. This can enhance the intimacy and personalization of your event.
Customizable Spaces: Look for venues that allow you to infuse your personality into the space. Whether it’s custom lighting, unique furniture arrangements or personalized décor, the ability to customize can make your day even more special.
Tamory Hall Personal Touches: At Tamory Hall, our venue is exclusively yours for the day of the event. We love to see the personality and style of each couple enhance our space, so customizable decor, furniture and accessories are always welcomed.
Finding the perfect wedding venue requires careful consideration and planning. By focusing on these key aspects, you’ll be well on your way to selecting a venue that not only meets your needs but also creates the perfect backdrop for your unforgettable day. Happy planning!