We are working hard to get Under the Stars ready for a Grand Opening in June. There are currently a lot of moving part. Even though we have already had six brides request to book, we are not taking deposits for 2019 weddings yet and I wanted to take a minute to explain why AND to help new brides ask the right questions of the wedding venues they are considering.
So, I invite you to join me on this journey – whether you are a new bride, mother of the bride, soon to be mother-in-law of the bride, sister of the bride, friend of the bride, and yes, even if you are a groom. Here are three often overlooked components when selecting your wedding venue.
Ceremony audio
The outdoor ceremony is on the rise, with 73% of bride/grooms stating their first choice is an outdoor wedding ceremony. Surprisingly, even winter brides.
Here is your question: Does your outdoor ceremony site have audio capabilities and if yes, what audio equipment is provided?
You want your guests to be able to hear the ceremony. At my wedding the groomsmen did this funny (not so funny at the time) crackerjack box trick on Billy. It wouldn’t have been nearly as funny to the audience if all they could see was the groomsmen passing it down the line. Thankfully that wasn’t the case, so not only did they get to witness the prank, they also got to hear all the commentary from the groomsmen, to Billy’s guttural belly laugh to the pastors asking Billy where he found these guys to stand in as groomsmen. Audio is important, don’t overlook it.
At present, we are working with the local power company to determine what it is going to take to get electricity to the Lavender Field Ceremony Site in order to have audio capability. From the sounds of it, it is a little more difficult than what we thought. Rest assured though, because we understand the importance of audio… we will figure it out!
Ceremony Aisle
It’s a special day, a magnificent dress and your Cinderella moment. The ceremony aisle is often a question not asked about and simply overlooked.
Your Question: Is the ceremony dirt? Grass? Stone? Can we decorate the aisle? Are there any limitations? Is it blocked off for only the bridal part (meaning guests enter their seats from the side)?
A few years back, we attended a wedding in New York. Do you know what I remember most about this wedding? It was how they had decorated the aisle and the vision of my friend as she took each step toward the love of her life. It was simply magnificent! Are you looking for an intricate aisle? Did you want candles at each row or maybe a boutique of flowers? Do you want a white runner (so your dress doesn’t get dirty)? It may seem a small question, but if you wanted candles and the venue has a ‘no open flame’ policy… it’s something you need to know.
At Under the Stars Farm, we have put significant thought into how we want the center aisle. From how it looks, to how easy it is to walk on in heels, to how we design the seating area around it. If you haven’t seen our designer’s drawings you can check them out HERE. (link to the lavender fields page)
Sunset
Nothing more beautiful than a photographer that can capture the bride and groom in perfect lighting, right? We’ve all seen those photos and they are simply breathtaking!
Your Question: Where is the sun during our proposed ceremony time?
Lighting, more specifically the sun, plays a significant role on your wedding day – especially if you are getting married outside. Just ask the bride who didn’t think about her beautiful outdoor wedding with the sun was behind her and her handsome groom — blinding all of her guests and her photographer.
The original design of our venue didn’t make good use of the sun’s natural path in the sky – hence we had to go back to the drawing board. This delayed our project a little; but resulted in a much more spectacular view and the sun in a position that would accent the venue.
Create your list of questions.
The key to finding the best venue for your that meets all of your needs and surpasses your wildest dreams is to ask questions… and make sure you have them written down before you call or tour a venue on your list. No question is dumb, so ask everything in your head.
What questions will you ask to ensure the venues you are reviewing meet every aspect of your special day? Let us know in the comments below!
If you liked this post, share it with a bride to be! Our goal here at Under The Stars Farm is to provide insight, resources and remove the stress of planning your dream day. Hope to see you at the farm soon. Where dreams begin… and the lavender grows.