Selecting the Right Venue for Your Vision
February 13, 2025
While some couples have their dream venue chosen before they’ve even started their guest list, it often takes a bit of research and planning to find the perfect location.
Here are six things to consider when selecting the best venue for your nuptials.
Be mindful of your guest count!
The worst-case scenario is booking a venue that can’t accommodate your guests! Guest count is the best place to start when considering your venue. Most venues will have their maximum capacity listed on their websites, and if that information isn’t easily accessible online, be sure to call or email the venue directly. If you’re unsure of your exact number of guests, estimate the maximum number that would attend, and plan accordingly.
The Ottawa Wedding Chapel can seat up to 150 for a ceremony and host a max of 65 for a cocktail reception.
Budget
It’s easy to search online for the most beautiful venues and fall in love, but what are you reasonably willing to spend on the location? Is location the most important aspect of your wedding? Do you want to go all out? Or are you looking to save on location to allocate more money to food or your dress/suit? Knowing this beforehand can definitely help you narrow down the most appropriate venue for you and your needs.
The chapel is budget-friendly, with even Saturday ceremonies being affordable in comparison to other area venues.
Consider the vibe (backup plan?)
Are you more of a nature lover, or do you dream of a Cinderella fairytale wedding? Indoor or outdoor? These are important questions to answer, and if you haven’t already, take the time to figure them out! If you already have a vision in mind, this can really help when deciding on a venue. It’s also good to know whether you want to have your ceremony indoors or outdoors. Outdoor venues are often stunning but can pose some challenges when it comes to weather! Check to see if the venue has a covered area in case of rain. If it doesn’t, and you want to take a chance regardless, make sure you have a backup plan.
The chapel checks boxes for people who love historical elegance, warm wood, stained glass, and a sense of sacred space without overwhelming religious imagery. We’ve also hosted weddings in our back yard.
Full service or bring-your-own supplies and vendors?
This can help narrow down your search even further! Are you looking for an all-inclusive venue that provides catering, tables, waitstaff, decor, and more? Or would you prefer a venue where you can manage all the details yourself? This choice will also affect the cost of the venue, which ties into your budget. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and would find a full-service venue helpful, it might be worth the extra cost for the peace of mind and ease of having everything streamlined. Always check what’s included in the cost and make sure it aligns with your needs.
The chapel includes a wedding officiant from All Seasons Weddings with every booking, saving you a step. We can also manage a cocktail reception with our in-house catering and staff.
Book a tour!
Most venues offer tours of the grounds, allowing you to see the space in person. This is great to do with family present, or with other people whose opinion you value. Photos are great, but actually seeing a venue in person can really help you make that final decision. Perhaps the photos or website didn’t show a certain aspect that may ultimately be a dealbreaker for you. It’s also good to get a sense of where things will be set up and where you’ll be saying your vows. You could very well fall in love right away and your search might end there!
The chapel staff is happy to provide you with a tour and talk you through how a typical ceremony unfolds.
Follow your dream
In the end, one of the most important things to consider is what you truly want for your wedding. If you’ve always wanted to say ‘I do’ under a willow tree overlooking a river, do that! Especially for small weddings, you can use an unconventional (and maybe free space) for your ceremony. Sometimes we get caught up with what parents or friends think, but you and your partner are the ones who matter most. This is a day to celebrate your love. What does that day look like for you?