As an engaged couple, one of the first decisions you make is choosing a venue for your nuptials.  Where, oh where, will you and your beloved exchange 'I DO's?  This is an important decision so you can save the date, kick off the rest of your planning and set a theme for how your day will pan out.  Will it be an outdoor wedding? Indoor? Destination?

Selecting venue, I'll tell you right now, may be one of the biggest expenses, if not the biggest, of your wedding.  However, FLEXIBILITY will play a huge role in saving you thousands of dollars.

More restrictions, more money
A lot of venues we visited made us feel that if we even blinked, we'd be breaking a rule.  Read those contracts carefully.  You'd be amazed as to how many restrictions most venues have from forcing you to use select catering, certain DJs and even getting your cake through them.  Why do they do this?  Because that way they'll force you to pay top dollar for everything.  Just to give you an example, many venues we visited charged us about $8-10 per person, per hour for alcohol.  On a 100 guests for 4 hours, that's $3,200 at minimum!  And I have aunts and uncles who don't even drink a drop! So be careful, very careful.

Don't fear Friday or Sunday
Who said Saturdays are official wedding days?  Ummm no one! Yes, they are perhaps the most convenient BUT it does not guarantee 100% attendance.  My fiance and I have, unfortunately, missed Saturday, summer weddings. You'd think it's the most perfect date but life happens.  And regardless of what day you select, the truth of the matter is some of your guests may still not make it.

Do your research
Before settling on any venue, compared at least 3 - 5 other venues in the immediate area to see what others charge for set up, service fees, deposits, etc... If you're anything like us, you'll compare with it nearly a dozen to make sure you're getting the best for your buck.

Beware: Hidden fees and fine prints!
My oh my do wedding venues have hidden fees.  You will run into kitchen fees, service fees, staffing fees, corkage fees, cake-cutting fees and the list goes on.  Will they tell you up front?  Ehhhh not really.  It's up to you to read the contract carefully which most of us overlook.  Why should you be forced to pay $400 for kitchen fee if you never even set foot in it?  Or why pay cake-cutting fees of $3 per person when you've set up self-serve cupcakes?   See where I'm going with this???  Ask questions - take control.

As for us, we secured our venue last fall after an exhaustive search.  We'll be marrying up in the mountains in a beautiful, historic mansion - and yes, without breaking the bank! Details soon.