While pretty much every regard of a wedding is optional, from wearing a suit instead of a dress to ditching the flowers, to abandoning the wedding cake, there’s one thing you can’t skip: a venue. After all, you’ve got to have somewhere for your friends and family to gather and celebrate.
Choose a Venue That Aligns With Your Vision
This may seem obvious, but seek out venues that fit the aesthetic you have in mind. If you’re planning a modern wedding, look at art galleries, well-designed restaurant spaces, or warehouses. On the flip side, a wedding uniting more natural elements(such as boho, traditional, or rustic) work well with outdoor venues such as Greenwood Springs Event Center. Choosing a venue that fits in with (and intensifies) your theme will enable your wedding to feel more connected to the space.
Know Your Guest List
Knowing how many guests you’re foreseeing to invite before you go looking at venues will help save you from troubles and anguish down the road. If you choose a venue that is too tiny for your guest list and more guests RSVP ‘yes’ than you can fit in the space, you might be in a tough situation. Couples often underestimate how many people they will invite (or how many their parents will want to add), so have that discussion early to know what you’re really working with. Greenwood Springs event center has so much space and multiple places for your guests to sit and gather. Our reception areas can seat 150-200 very comfortably; yet rarely are that many people sitting down at one time in our outdoor casual atmosphere. We have also had ceremonies with 250+ in attendance. This will also help you break down your budget, as some costs are very dependent on the number of people you’re inviting.
Remember Your Budget
It’s more than just how much renting the space will cost. Décor and floral design will also drive the cost up. Know how much your total budget is, as well as approximately what your design will cost to execute. If adding that on top of the cost of using the space blows your budget out of the water, you’ll either need to scale back your design or look at more affordable spaces. Break down your overall budget by category, prioritizing more funds for vendors that are a higher priority. If you select your venue first, and then realize it’s more than you should have allocated, it’s an uphill battle to stay within your budget when you still have a dozen other people to hire. $3,000 at Greenwood Springs includes full access to the grounds and greenhouse along with our outside pavilion and bar area. We provide tables, 150 chairs, and bar tables. Additional chairs may be rented for larger parties. This also includes ample parking and a Greenwood Springs team member available throughout the day. Prior Night Rehearsal, 5 PM – 10 PM is $500. A fully refundable security deposit of $300* (without alcohol) or $500* (with alcohol) is required. Additional fees may apply for security. The sound system and microphone are $100. *Fees Are Subject to Adjust at any time.
Pro Tip: Not sure how pricing breaks down in your region? Consult with a local wedding or event planner to get information that’s more specific than the national averages often found online.
Consider Your Guests’ Experience
If you’re inviting a lot of out-of-town guests, look for a venue that’s near a hotel. And remember their comfort within the venue, too. There are several hotels nearby Greenwood Springs, Downstream Casino & Resort is one of the most prestigious hotels in the area and is only a five-minute drive from our event center.
Stay True to Yourselves
With the entrance of Pinterest weddings, a lot of couples choose venues based on the style of a wedding they fell in love with online, but it’s important to ask yourselves what feels authentic to you two as a couple and to choose a space and a design that’s a representation of who you are. And remember that, while a venue might have not have looked like your dream wedding in other people’s photos, it could be the perfect canvas for yours.