The Fifth Floor Terrace of the Oread Hotel, Lawrence, Kansas. Photo Credit: One Tree Studios.
Whenever we talk to newly engaged brides, the most common thing we hear is, "I just don't even know where to start!" Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. The first things we tell our clients to make a decision about are locations: city and venue.
The number one piece of advice I tell brides and grooms when deciding whether to have a destination wedding or a wedding in a hometown, is to choose a location that both the bride and groom have a connection to. Weddings should be a reflection of the couple, the things they like to do and their story. Part of that story is where they spent the most time together.
Working in a college town, some of the most fun weddings we've been a part of are the ones that tie into Lawrence, the University of Kansas, its traditions. So many of the weddings that take place in Lawrence are because the couple met here in college and want to make that a part of their celebration.
Cocktail hour setup at the Cider Gallery, Lawrence, Kansas. Photo Credit: Beau Vaughn Photography.
Once you've decided upon the zip code, it's time to start looking for a venue. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when choosing a reception venue: the physical spaces, the capacity limitations, parking and most importantly in our opinion - the atmosphere.
It can be a little bit of a chicken or the egg question, "Should we choose our venue and risk that it will limit how many guests we can invite, or set the guest list first and then find a venue that is a good fit?"
It is the opinion of this Wedding Coordinator to set the venue location first and then let it guide every subsequent decision: whether or not to have a separate cocktail hour, what kind of a visual theme you want, how many guests to invite, or long banquet tables or rounds.
Finding a venue that reflects the personality of the couple and the type of event they want to share with their friends is the foundation of great wedding planning.