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This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
There's a lot of uncertainty right now over when events like weddings will be able to resume again. I really feel for couples who had weddings planned in March, April, and May. :( And with summer (and my sister's wedding) right around the corner, I am reallllyyy hoping that we get this virus under control soon! Of course, you can get married even if you don't have a big crowd at your wedding, but when you've put a lot of thought and planning into choosing the right guest list, the perfect venue, and the date you envisioned, it's hard to imagine postponing or starting all over. Although if worst comes to worst, plan B could be a small elopement on the beach with just you two, your officiant, and your photographer (from 6 ft away)...which actually sounds pretty nice too! You could hire a videographer or set up a camera to videotape the whole thing, so you can show it to family and friends. And you can always have a reception later when the restrictions are lifted.
On the other hand, I've been seeing a few engagements pop up during this quarantine (yay, I'm glad something good is coming out of it!!) so if you're newly engaged, you should be safe to start making plans for a wedding that's in the fall or later. Here are a few things you'll want to consider.
Your Budget
At the start of the process, think about how much you and your partner want to realistically spend on the venue. The cost of the venue will depend largely on how many people are attending, the type of venue you want, and where you live.
Of course, there are certain ways that you can save money on your wedding – like going for a simpler venue such as a restaurant or keeping it to close family only. I don't recommend going into debt for your dream wedding, but if you need a short-term loan, there are Legitimate loan companies that can help you finance some of the expenses.
Who You Want To Attend
Next, create a guest list for your day. When you’re looking at venues, enquire as to how many people they can cater for and whether you’ll be able to include all of the family members and friends that you want. If you’ve stumbled upon a venue you that you absolutely love but it's unable to fit your ideal guest list, you then you'll have to choose between cutting down the numbers or moving on to a different venue.
The Location
Do you want to get married in your local area or further away? The location will make a big difference to your wedding day, so you’ll need to decide on this early.
If you’re thinking of getting married closer to home, then look for venues that will accommodate your guest list, within your budget. If you want a destination wedding, you might only need a smaller venue as fewer family members are bound to travel over for it.
All-in-One?
Are you going to get married in a church and then head over to your wedding venue for your evening celebrations? Or do you want a venue that encompasses the whole day? Consider this when searching for your wedding venue. Either way can work great!
Date Flexibility
How flexible are you with your wedding date? If you aren’t flexible at all, you’ll want to enquire into venues early – at least one year before your wedding date. Venues usually get booked up quickly and you don’t want to miss out on your dream location!
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Thank you for explaining that the location can make a big difference to your wedding day, so it should be one of the first things you look into. My friend is trying to plan her daughter's wedding and so she's been wondering what she should tackle first. I'll be sure to mention this to her and see if they can find a great venue for the wedding soon.