Our Top Tips for Selecting Your Wedding Venue

One of the first thoughts to go through many couples' minds post engagement is “but where do we tie the knot.” If you’re a PNW or Seattle bride, you know that the options are endless for wedding venues. And, the options can be overwhelming at first. Your venue selection is one of the first decisions you’ll make as you embark on the wedding planning process. The venue you select sets the foundation for your planning. Not only is it where your celebration of love will be held, but it will drive your design theme, host your wedding guests, and is the center of what you vision for you wedding day. It is easy to be fearful throughout the selection process, but we’ve been down this road with our couples – let’s be honest – about 100+ times. So, we’ve compiled our best and honest advice to consider as you enter the wedding planning journey- let’s find you your perfect venue! 

#01 But First – the Budget! 

If you know anything about us at Elegant Affairs, you know that we preach and preach starting at your budget. Your budget is the key factor in any decision that you make throughout the wedding planning process, so why should your venue selection start differently? A large portion of your budget will go towards the venue. As you create your budget and search for venus, you need to determine if your budget line includes rentals or just the brick and mortar building. Your venue needs to fit your financial needs and shouldn’t blow your entire wedding budget. (Although there are special cases where the venue is all inclusive, and we mean florals, venue, rentals, and food). 

#02: Check the Date! 

It’s best to visit venues with a date or two in mind. This will help narrow down the long list of venues to a few that have availability during your desired time frame. If you don’t have a date in mind, then you have a wider range of venues to look at. Keep in mind that seasons and days of the week can drive prices up or down. If you’re looking for something more budget friendly, look at the “off” season in your area, or think about hosting your wedding on a Thursday evening, or Sunday. Give yourself plenty of time to search for a venue if you have a specific date in mind. 

#03: Align with your Vision!

This is where the fun begins! Break out your pinterest boards, and go through your favorite social media posts – it’s time to talk about your vision for your wedding day! You’ll want to brainstorm some of your must haves to select venues. We suggest your look at overall themes, such as luxury, rustic, farmhouse, modern, classic, fairytale etc. This will help you narrow down elements of venus that align to your desired theme. As you plan, your venue will set the tone for your wedding theme. You definitely don’t want to book a luxury modern hotel, if you’re planning on a rustic affair. Explore the internet and venues in your area that will support and create a cohesive theme. 

#04: Be our Guest!

This next item on our list will either eliminate a few venues or maximize your search. It’s your guest count. You don’t need to have the official number as you begin your venue search, but you do need a solid estimation. Whether you allot 50 to your partner and 50 to you, or have a max estimate of 500 (we’ve had a guest count of 500 before!) you’ll need an estimation that is reasonable that you can stick to. Venues have a maximum capacity. You want to choose a venue that will be suitable for your guest count. You don’t want your guests to be packed in tighter than a can of sardines, or be too empty. You want to use your space wisely and ensure you have ample space, but not too much. 

#05: Location, Location!

Location is an important key to consider. If you’re considering a destination wedding, or a wedding that most have to travel to, you’ll want to consider the accommodations. How far is the nearest airport? Will they have to rent a rental car? What is the travel time for most of your guests? Traveling and ensuring safe travel and easy travel is key to keeping your guests feeling safe and happy. 

#06: Plan A and B

As you visit venues and prepare to sign on the dotted line, you’ll want to determine if the venue has options for a plan a and b. If you want your wedding outdoors, you’ll need to discuss if there are options for rainy weather, or peak heat in the summer seasons. Your venue must flex with your needs to accommodate for any emergency weather plans. 

#07: What the Venue has to Offer!

As you tour your venues, imagine yourself as a guest to your event. Your guests are going to be attending your wedding, so you want to ensure that there are adequate amenities for them to be comfortable. A few things to consider are: parking, travel time, is it ADA friendly, bathrooms, changing tables etc. You’ll also  need to ask and check your budget to see what the venue offers. Does the venue offer tables, chairs, linens, and more? Or will you need to hire an additional vendor to do so? You want to make sure you ask all the questions before signing, because you don’t want you or your budget to be surprised after signing the contract. 

#08: Read the Reviews 

We always suggest reading reviews. Now, reviews can be hit or miss. Sometimes, people only write reviews when they’ve had a terrible experience. You can ask your wedding planner or coordinator if they’ve planned weddings at this venue before, or check various reputable review websites such as Wedding Wire or the Knot. Customer reviews and prior couples will give you the best advice and hopefully you’ll get a well rounded view of the good and bad to make a decision. 

At the end of the day, you and your partner will have to make the decision based on what is best for you. You will need to find a venue that fits your budget, features the amenities and accommodations that you need, while fitting in your theme. If you work your way down our list, you will be able to find your dream venue! Remember to start at your budget, determine your dates, align your theme, think of your guests and read the reviews! If you’re still feeling stuck, or need a little extra help, we’d love to help you! Reach out to Lori or Tiphany today! 

---

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

Signature Summer Cocktails for your Seattle Wedding

It’s a hot one out there, the sun is out, the days are longer, and wedding celebrations are in full swing. There truly is nothing quite like summertime in the PNW. Even though our summers can’t quite compare to the scolding heat of the south, we still need refreshments to help us beat our version of the summer heat. During these summer months, we love seeing our couples keep their guests cool with signature cocktail drinks. Many of our couples choose to feature drinks that resemble where they met, the location of their wedding ceremony or venue, or even named after their furry loved ones. So, grab a cold one while we round up some of our favorite signature summer cocktails for our Seattle couples! 

Pass the Rose

For all of our Woodinville fans who love to sip on wine at Chateau Ste Michelle winery, this one's for you! This tart, but sweet fruity beverage is sure to delight your guests with its’ refreshing taste. This cocktail features Chateau Ste. Michele Rose, a top off of cherry lemonade or limeade, and is poured over ice garnished with a lemon or a lime. We could probably drink this rose ALL day.

French 75 with a Twist

French 75’s are classic. They are sophisticated and boy – are they refreshing. So, pop down to your favorite winery to grab a few bottles of your favorite sparkling wines in lieu of champagne. You’ll need your favorite local bottle or Gin, lavender simple syrup and a splash of lemon juice. Not only is this a fun and fancy signature drink but this can be offered at toasts to add a little spice to your reception! 

Just a Peachy with an Old Fashioned

Who doesn’t love peaches? Peaches are one of the best summer fruits. They are sweet, but refreshing. Featuring an Old Fashioned as a signature drink is very common, but we suggest you add a summer twist to this classic drink. We love the peachy taste of Wild Root’s Peach Infused Vodka. Although this distillery is located in Portland, we'll claim it as an ode to the PNW and say it’s worth the quick visit down. Add equal parts vodka, bourbon, a dash of honey and bitters and you’ve got yourself a peachy summertime old fashioned that your guests will love. Serve without ice, with an orange garnish – or if you’re feeling fancy a peach slice. 

Lounging at the Salish Lodge 

One of our favorite venues in this area is the Salish Lodge. Although we are typically vendors rather than visitors, we do love their lounge. Their cocktails are superb and one of our favorites from their menu is their pineapple mule. I mean, who doesn’t love pineapple, mint, and ginger beer. This one is best served ice cold in a copper mug. Add your favorite tequila, pineapple juice, agave syrup, gingerbear, and lime. Garnish with a pineapple slice and lime and you’ve got yourself a refreshing and delicious summer cocktail – perfect for dancing the night away! 

Give me all the Blackberries

If you’re in the Seattle area or Puget Sound, chances are you’ve either seen or had a sprawling blackberry bush in your yard. We love the sound of a ice cold margarita and we love the spin on the classic with the addition of blackberries. Fresh, PNW, blackberries are the perfect addition to a margarita. They help create a refreshing and balanced signature cocktail for your wedding reception. You will need to do a little prep work, or either purchase a pre-made syrup prior to your big day, but blackberry syrup is the heart of this cocktail. Once you have your syrup (just a little sugar, water, and berries), you’ll add fresh lime juice, a dash of sugar, your favorite blanco tequila and garnish with fresh blackberries. 

We know your mouth is watering. Although we love seeing our couples come up with creative signature cocktails, we remind our couples (and readers) that anytime you are serving any type of alcohol at your wedding you need to keep a few things in mind. In these hot summer months, be sure that your guests have ample amounts of water to stay hydrated throughout the event. Alcohol without water can be a dangerous situation. In addition, ensure that your guests have opportunities to eat throughout the night, including cocktail hour appetizers, dinner, dessert or even a late night snack. If you’re serving signature drinks that include hard liquor, you will want to limit your specialty cocktails to his and hers, and ensure your bartenders are trained, certified, and keeping a close eye on all guests. It is okay to set limits on signature cocktails, or even just feature them during toasts or cocktail hours. Most importantly, ensure that your guests know of ways home if they have enjoyed your signature cocktails or other bar items. Whether having a sign or card at each table for ride shares, or pre-arranging ways home – it is so important that everyone not only has fun, but is safe in the process. 

We can’t wait to see all of the summer refreshments and twist on our favorite signature drinks! Bottoms up! 

(Drink Credits: Ste-Michelle, Wild Roots, Salish Lodge “The Lounge”)

---

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.

How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Date in Seattle’s Summer Season

Are you a Seattle local and planning your upcoming nuptials? If that is you – this week’s read is for you. We’ve been wedding planners in the PNW industry for almost two decades. We’ve coordinated and planned our fair share of weddings and quite often these weddings are in the summer months. Summer wedding seasons are the selected timeframe for many couples. The rain subsides, the sun is out, and the temperatures begin to rise. Many of our venues’ calendars become quickly booked for the summer season, so we’re here to share how to select and ensure you get your wedding date during Seattle’s summer season. 

#01: Location, Location, Location 

Just as if you were shopping for a home in Seattle, location plays a huge factor. Many Seattle or PNW residents drive miles and sometimes up to two hours to commute for their job. There was even a time where I got up three hours before work to commute from the peninsula to Burien. Fact of the matter is we rent or purchase our home due to the location. Much like the selection of your home, your venue is often selected for the location. There are many beautiful and timeless wedding locations across the Puget Sound. As you think about your wedding, selecting your ideal location should be the foundation of your decisions. Brainstorm the location that you envision for your big day! Do you want a wedding right on the sound – if so, hosting an intimate affair at a restaurant patio may be an excellent option. Or if you’re a fan city living, checking out a venue in the SoHo Industrial district may be the way to go! The selection of your location will determine the timeframe in the summer, what time day is best to hold your ceremony and reception, and what to expect for your guests. Before you select a date, choose your location. 

#02: Select Three Venues

As you tour potential venues, scale down your choices to three potential venues. We want you to keep an open mind and to keep your options open. We will be completely honest in saying that many venues are completely booked the year before, especially for weekend dates. You may want to look at any other events going on during that weekend, especially if your venue is downtown. Check out upcoming concerts, Mariners games, or events that may impact costs of hotels and travel. Also, check out the venue's social media and reviews during the timeframe. There may be reviews that will be helpful with selecting your perfect venue. 

#03: Choose a Timeframe 

After you’ve narrowed down your potential venues, select a timeframe. We suggest selecting one to three dates that you’d like to book your wedding. If you’re booking more than a year out, there may be more potential openings. If you’re booking your wedding with a shorter planning timeframe, you may need to be open to weekday or Sunday weddings. Often, venues that are completely booked on Saturdays may have other options available. In addition, you will want to look at the weather patterns during this time frame. If you’re viewing venues that are outdoors and do not offer any shade or indoor facilities, you want to determine what the weather will be like. You don’t want the date selected to not have any amenities for your guests if the weather is scolding hot. 

#04: Get your Quotes

Before you begin this process, our greatest suggestion is to have your venue budget set. You want to know your budget and only view venues that are within your budget. Meet with your three venue coordinators and your planner to discuss the proposal for renting the venue. Discuss and review all the quotes before making your decision. Ensure that you determine whether or not your venue includes your rentals and options for a plan B, such as a tented or indoor ceremony and reception. 

#05: Make your Selection: 

Once you’ve explored your options, determined the best time frame, and discussed your budget, select your option. We recommend before you book your check in with your loved ones and wedding party to make sure that this potential date does not have any big concerns. Then, meet with the venue and read your contract prior to signing. 

Summer weddings are truly magical in Seattle. There is nothing like a sunset ceremony and dancing the night away under the summer stars. We highly suggest if you plan on tying the knot during the summer months to plan far enough in advance. As you explore your options, think about your ideal location for your ceremony and reception. Visit and view as many venues as you’d like, but narrow it down to at least three final options. Then, explore potential dates that will work for you, your fiance, and your guests. Once you select the venue that supports your location and date – be sure you don’t bust the budget by singing on the line! If you need additional support with finding your perfect venue, we’d love to help you find your match. 

---

Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Seattle Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.