Touring Your Wedding Venue With A Photographer's Perspective & Attention to Detail
One of the first questions you will be met with during wedding planning will undeniably be: where will you get married? This is where wedding planning gets exciting, becomes real, and can quickly begin feeling overwhelming. Many couples dream of a beautiful venue, but when they see venue price tags they quickly get discouraged. If you're looking to plan your wedding without blowing your savings, look no further--I have the perfect guide and lots of advice for you!
Before touring venues, it is important to establish a rough budget and guest count. Understand the average venue takes up nearly 30% of a couple's overall wedding budget. Something I challenge you to think about is what are your priorities and non-negotiables for the day? This will help you understand whether spending a large portion of your budget on the venue makes sense for your dream day. An excellent solution is finding a beautiful venue that is simple and doesn't need much decor. Think state or national parks, city or county event spaces, national or historically protected spaces, churches, etc. An affordable Central Florida venue that doesn't get enough credit or buzz is Lake Ariana Park. When you tour venues pay attention the these 6 things.
1. The Light
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of the day for many reasons! It directly affects how your guests perceive the day, how your photographs turn out, and, potentially most importantly in Florida, how intense the temperature and weather are. Things I pay attention to during each wedding venue tour and walk-through:
- What direction will the light be during the ceremony, reception, and during portraits. This is important for several reasons, but one I pay attention to most is during your ceremony. Typically, this happens a few hours before sunset, and without shade, your guests can be incredibly uncomfortable during the warmer months.
- Is there ample shade to cool guests off and create softer photos? Depending on the photography style you prefer, you'll typically want shade to create flattering, soft photos throughout the day. You also don't want your guests or the bride and groom feeling uncomfortable due to lack of shade and unpredictable Florida weather, whether it be rain or shine on the day of your wedding.
- Where does golden hour fall? Some couples fall in love with a lakefront view and want dreamy, glowy photos with the water behind them. While a lovely idea, if the water is on the east side of the venue, there won't be a sunset over the water. This shouldn't be make-or-break, but something to keep in mind.
2. How the Venue Flows
Often overlooked by couples who don't attend or work events often! Sometimes venues aren't set up the best logistically. For example, I toured a venue with my sister that guests arrived to the ceremony from behind the altar on a dirt path. We agreed the flow didn't make sense and was a non-negotiable for her day. Consider these things:
- How people actually move through the space: Ceremony → cocktail hour → reception.
- Where guests naturally gather: some venues place the bar outside, and guests naturally gather there while waiting for drinks. While not a problem, sometimes this can take guests away from the dance floor and celebration.
- Where you can take couples portraits without feeling watched by guests the entire time.
- Why your layout can make a timeline feel effortless or cramped. If there aren't many places to hide, sometimes many of the photos are squeezed in after the ceremony, which can feel stressful.
3. How the Space Changes Throughout the Day
Think of these times of the day and how the space will support the phases of your wedding:
- Morning/getting ready
- Ceremony
- Portraits
- Reception
- Sunset/nighttime
With the same venue, these portions of the day will create a completely different atmosphere.
4. The Spaces You Don't Immediately Think About
Pretty spaces aren't always the most useful spaces, and sometimes the most useful spaces aren't always the prettiest ones. Be mindful of how each room and area will change the tone of your day and how your photos turn out! Areas to put thought into:
- Getting-ready rooms
- Quiet corners for intimate moments
- Portrait locations
- Where family photos can realistically happen
- Areas that photograph better than they look in person
5. You Don't Need an Expensive Venue to Create an Incredible Wedding
Lake Ariana Park in Auburndale, Florida, is one of the most beautiful venues I have photographed. It also happened to be an incredibly affordable Central Florida venue. Lake Ariana Park perfectly strikes the balance between being reasonably priced and absolutely stunning.
A beautiful venue doesn't have to consume the majority of your wedding budget; you just have to understand your priorities. A budget-friendly venue allows more room to prioritize food, guest experience, photography, video, entertainment--or whatever else matters most to YOU, etc. Intentional planning and design can completely transform a space. The goal isn't making a venue look expensive, but making the wedding feel thoughtful, effortless, and personal.
6. What I'd Look For If I Were Touring a Venue
A quick photographer's checklist:
- Where is the best light?
- Where will portraits happen?
- What does the space look like at my actual wedding time?
- Where will guests naturally move?
- Where can we step away for a few minutes?
- What happens if it rains?
- Does the space support the experience I want?
- What will I have left in my budget after booking it?
It's About More Than the Space--Imagine Your Dream Day
A venue isn't just a pretty backdrop; it is where one of the best days of your life will take place--think about how it will support your vision. The best venue is one that works for how you want your day to feel, not the one a family member or friend thinks is prettiest. This wedding at Lake Ariana Park proved how thoughtful choices can create a beautiful experience without needing the most expensive venue. In fact, once the ceremony was over, it stormed for the rest of the day, leaving us with little to no natural light. Although the couple envisioned outdoor family portraits, Lake Ariana Park photographs beautifully inside and was the perfect backup plan.
If you're touring venues and want a photographer's perspective before you book, I'd love to help.
