Photo by: Hannah Ampe Photography

People are more excited than ever to celebrate new love. One of the most important considerations you can make when planning your upcoming wedding is the venue. Most couples spend a good portion of their budget on the space, so a few factors should be evaluated. Keep reading for some tips that will help you figure out the appropriate venue size for your wedding.

Accurately Estimating Your Guest Count

From wedding venues perfect for 50 guests to finding a suitable space for four hundred, having an accurate estimate of your guest count is absolutely critical. You may have an extensive list to start, but a few things will impact the final count.

When surveying the initial list, consider how far your guests will have to travel. If you have a considerable number of friends and family that will have to travel from out of state or out of the country, you may find that fewer of them will be able to attend than were invited.

If many of your guests are single, you will have to decide whether or not they will be given a plus-one. This can dramatically impact the final count.

Evaluate Venue Recommendations

It is important to make sure that your vision will match your venue. There are a number of different factors to consider; for example, if you are dead set on a banquet-style wedding, envision how that would unfold in the space.

Many venues will also have lists of recommended vendors and caterers they have worked with in the past. This can be extremely helpful when planning and deciding if a venue will work for you and your guests’ needs.

Many venues will also have recommendations for how the space will work best with these requested vendors or how your specific party could work within the space. For example, if you want a plated dinner versus a buffet style, how would your guests move throughout the space? Will they be in one room for the cocktail hour and move into a larger room for the rest of the reception?

Envisioning how your party would function throughout the duration of the night is critical when evaluating whether or not a space is right for you.

Consider How the Space Will Feel Relative to Your Number of Guests

Any given space will feel and function differently depending on if your wedding venue is suited for 100 guests or 1,000. You want everyone in attendance to feel comfortable. Consider how the physical space will feel once it’s occupied. You do not want a space that is too cramped to dance or so spacious it feels awkward.

Basic Guidelines For Venue Size

Obviously, one size does not fit all, and what might work for your wedding party might not be ideal for someone else. But if you are in need of a little space guidance, we’ve compiled some loose recommendations to keep in mind.

Speak with your venue manager to discuss comfortable capacity limits of your venue. Also ask them to see a few room diagrams for your guest count so you can see how your event can best fill the space.

You will also want to consider the space you will need for the head table, dance floor, bars, food stations, and gift and cake tables.

On Your Wedding Day, Your Venue Should Fit All

On your wedding day, it’s so important to make sure everyone is comfortable and able to have fun! When you have accurately evaluated your guest list, look for a venue that will accommodate all your needs in a functional, elegant, and beautiful environment. Built in 1902 and featuring a prominent and varied historical past, Watson Block is now Minnesota’s premier event center. Watson Block is a gorgeous event venue located in Minneapolis’ Warehouse District. The venue is equipped to accommodate a variety of events, from small to large, including wedding ceremonies and receptions. The unique space combines the historic aesthetic of brick and timber construction along with elegant contemporary finishes. If you are planning your wedding and looking for the perfect venue, contact us, and let’s talk about how Watson Block can be a part of your special day!

Photographer Credit: Alyssa Lund