Part Deux: But Which venue?!… OMG
I know, I know, how can I STILL be talking about which venue? It’s a big subject and there are a LOT of options out there. Let’s take a peek at some of the questions we should be asking as we ride this adventure like a bike down hill with no hands. Sound good? Great!
There are a ton of options that it can honestly seem overwhelming, but deep breath, this blog is here to help weed thru (gardening shoes are on at this moment) all the ones that may not fit your day, well and take every opportunity to point out why our venue is the best of course. Before googling wedding venues in your area, I highly recommend deciding first what overall location best works for you and your guests, i.e. central Oklahoma, southern Oklahoma, Northeast Oklahoma. If you plan to have many out of town guests or intoxicated guests that need a place to stay, a venue with a hotel nearby would be fabulous, we have FireLake Resort 3mi down the road and many other hotels within a few miles. It may be best to choose a venue that has a nearby Hobby Lobby or craft store as well as a nearby general store for things like bobby pins or hair spray just to take that little bit of stress off you. For a crowd with lots of elderly, a venue with flat parking and entrance/bathroom access makes the day much smoother for Gam Gam and Papaw. Paved access and large landmarks like FireLake casino on I40 also make it easier for elders to find a venue, well and other guests who are directionally challenged.
Then down to the really nitty gritty… what kind of event do you want to have? Do you envision a barn style wedding? If so there are actual barns, some climate controlled some not, there are what we country folk call lean-to barns (basically a wall but not 4 walls and not climate controlled) and then there are fancy “barns” that are expensive structures made to look like a barn but are really a fancy wedding venue. The astounding majority of venues are “barn style.” Obviously a lot of these choices depend on your budget and budget is a whole other topic which I’ll get to after I’ve had a LOT more wine. Next, we need to know if you want indoor only or outdoor only or an option of both. Each venue will be different in size and may be able to accommodate one or the other but not both in inclement weather and we are in Oklahoma weather is like a game. Lakeside can be indoor only on a bad weather day for most guest sizes.
Then there’s all the fun questions: Does the venue allow alcohol? Does the venue require you to use only its preferred vendors? What’s included in the rental (tables and chairs, full kitchen, bridal/groom suite, table cloths, arch option, decor on site, is full balance required up front or can payments be made, is a coordinator required/provided, is a 2 day rental option possible for set up and rehearsal, can the bride and her gals come a while prior to the wedding and plan all the deets? The answers to these questions will definitely help in the decision process. Not only does the venue need to make your heart sing, but it needs to check your important boxes. If it doesn’t check those boxes, be creative and plan around those things.
