Choosing a venue can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to navigate it alone
With endless options, opinions, and pressure to “get it right,” venue shopping can quickly feel stressful instead of exciting.
Wedding venues are one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, and one of the first. It’s also the choice that impacts almost every other part of your day: your budget, your timeline, your guest experience, and how the day unfolds.
That’s a lot of weight to carry, especially when you’re being pulled in a hundred different directions by trends, family input, and social media.
Many couples worry about choosing the “wrong” venue, one that doesn’t flow well, feels rushed, or doesn’t support the experience they actually want. This is where having the right guidance matters.
This guide is here to help you ask better questions, feel more confident in your decisions, and choose a wedding venue that supports a calm, intentional wedding day.
Your photographer helping you pick the wedding venue thats right for you!
Hey, I'm Beth!
the gal behind the guide:
Over the years, I’ve photographed weddings at all kinds of venues, from outdoor estates and intimate barns to modern spaces and backyard celebrations. That experience has given me a unique perspective on how a venue actually functions on a wedding day, beyond how it looks in photos.
I have an unhealthy obsession with Christmas.
There is a high probability your vows or formal dances will make me tear up.
I'm not specifically a coffee or a tea person... I love them both.
I will always stop at a roadside flower stand.
Some random facts about me:
50+
10,000+
5
Weddings captured
photos taken
years full-time in photography
The venue isn’t just a backdrop, it shapes your entire wedding day
Most couples choose a venue based on how it looks in photos. But the right venue does far more than photograph beautifully, it influences how your day feels.
When couples start venue shopping, the focus is often on aesthetics: the views, the architecture, the Pinterest potential. And while those things absolutely matter, they’re only one piece of the puzzle. Your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day, from how relaxed your timeline feels, to how your guests move through the space, to how present you’re able to be in each moment.
Some venues naturally create a slow, intimate, connected experience. Others require more logistics, structure, and planning to achieve the same feeling. Neither is wrong, but understanding what you’re walking into is key. Choosing a venue that aligns with your priorities, personalities, and vision will make everything else feel easier: planning, timelines, vendor coordination, and yes, your photos.
This guide is here to help you look beyond “Is it pretty?” and start asking the questions that lead to a wedding day that feels intentional, calm, and truly you.
table of contents:
Click to jump!
The Feeling
timeline
photography
Factors & Logistics
Guest List
Aligned Values
The feeling of the day
1. Let the experience guide the decision
Intimate vs. energetic atmosphere
Formal or relaxed setting
Indoor, outdoor, or a mix of both
Guest experience and comfort
Before touring venues, it’s important to get clear on the feeling you want your wedding day to have. Do you want it to feel slow and intimate? Joyful and energetic? Relaxed and outdoorsy? Elegant and refined? When you lead with feeling instead of aesthetics alone, it becomes easier to narrow your options and choose a space that truly fits your vision.
Some venues naturally foster quiet, meaningful moments, while others are designed for large, high-energy celebrations. Knowing which environment feels most like you helps avoid forcing a vibe that doesn’t fit.
A formal venue often comes with structure and expectations, while relaxed spaces offer flexibility. Consider how you want to feel throughout the day, polished and refined, or comfortable and laid-back.
Outdoor venues offer natural beauty and light, while indoor spaces provide consistency and weather protection. Hybrid venues give flexibility but may require more thoughtful timeline planning.
Think about how your guests will move, mingle, and feel. Comfortable seating, accessible spaces, and clear flow help create a welcoming, enjoyable experience for everyone attending.
Timeline
2. Understand How the Venue Impacts Your Timeline
Getting ready spaces on-site
Ceremony and reception in one location
Setup and teardown windows
Sunset timing and seasonal light
Your venue plays a major role in how your wedding day flows. Some locations require extra travel time, strict setup windows, or tight transitions, while others naturally allow for breathing room. Understanding these details early helps you avoid a rushed or stressful timeline.
Venues with on-site getting ready spaces reduce travel time and allow for a smoother, calmer morning. This creates more opportunities for quiet moments and candid photos.
Having everything in one place simplifies logistics, minimizes delays, and keeps guests engaged. It also gives you more flexibility with portraits and transitions.
Venues with tight access windows can compress your schedule. Understanding these restrictions early helps you build a timeline that still feels unrushed and intentional.
Light changes dramatically throughout the year. Choosing a venue that works with available natural light ensures portraits and key moments happen at their most flattering times.
Photography
3. Consider How the Venue Will Photograph
Quality of natural light
Clutter and visual distractions
Portrait locations nearby
Indoor lighting after dark
While style matters, how a venue handles light and movement is what truly affects your photos. Natural light, open spaces, and uncluttered surroundings allow moments to unfold organically and photograph beautifully.
Venues with large windows, open skies, or shaded outdoor areas create soft, flattering light. This reduces harsh shadows and allows your photos to feel warm and natural.
Busy backgrounds, visible signage, or tight spaces can pull attention away from the moment. Clean, intentional spaces keep the focus on you and your connection.
Venues with nearby fields, gardens, or architectural features offer variety without travel. This saves time and keeps the energy relaxed during portrait sessions.
Once the sun sets, indoor lighting takes over. Venues with warm, consistent lighting photograph better than harsh overhead or mixed-temperature lights.
Choosing the right photographer matters.
The right photographer will make all of the difference in your day. You don't want someone who is going to just show up and snap a few shots. You want someone who will be invested in getting to know you, whats important to you, and the moments that are most important to you.
You also want someone whose main focus isn't on their portfolio, but instead of making sure that you stay relaxed, carefree and 100% present on your day.
Just some of the perks of working with me.
Experience-Led Guidance
Vendor Referrals
Excursion Planning
Timeline Building
Unique Experience
Relaxed, Fun Atmosphere:
Intentional posing designed around your energy, resulting in images that feel natural and genuinely you.
Thoughtfully recommended vendors to simplify planning, ease overwhelm, and support a smooth, stress-free wedding day.
One sentence about this value proposition included in your offer to your client.
Deliberately designed timelines that let your day flow naturally, keeping you calm, present, and fully immersed in every moment.
A personalized photography experience crafted to feel effortless, authentic, and fully reflective of your love story.
Friendly guidance, lighthearted energy, and calm presence to help you feel at ease, confident, and genuinely yourself in front of the camera.
Guestlist
4. Think About Guest Count and Scale
Maximum vs. ideal capacity
Ceremony and reception layout
Dance floor and social spaces
Noise restrictions and curfews
A venue should feel comfortably full, not empty, not cramped. Matching your guest count to the right space ensures the energy feels intentional and the day flows naturally.
Just because a venue can hold your guest count doesn’t mean it should. Ask what number feels best in the space for flow and atmosphere.
Consider how guests will move between spaces. Clear transitions and logical layouts help everyone feel relaxed and oriented throughout the day.
A well-sized dance floor and gathering areas encourage connection and celebration. Oversized or undersized spaces can affect the energy of the evening.
Some venues have strict sound limits or early end times. Knowing this upfront helps set realistic expectations for the tone and pacing of your celebration.
The behind-the-scenes details matter
5. Factor in Logistics You Don’t See on Instagram
Parking and transportation
Weather backup plans
Vendor access and setup
The most photogenic venues don’t always show the logistical realities. Parking, accessibility, vendor access, and weather plans all affect how smoothly the day unfolds.
Adequate parking or shuttle options reduce stress for guests and keep your timeline on track. Long walks or confusing access points can cause delays.
Outdoor venues should always have a solid Plan B. Ask where ceremonies move in case of rain and whether that option still feels aligned with your vision.
Easy load-in and setup make a big difference for vendors. When vendors aren’t rushed, the entire day runs more smoothly.
Consider mobility, restrooms, and seating. An inclusive venue ensures every guest feels comfortable and cared for throughout your celebration.
Accessibility for all guests
what matters most to you
6. Make Sure the Venue Aligns With Your Values
Flexibility and personalization
Ethical and sustainable practices
Supportive venue staff
Emotional connection to the space
Beyond logistics and aesthetics, your venue choice can reflect your priorities, sustainability, family, intimacy, or creativity. When a space aligns with your values, your wedding day feels more meaningful.
Some venues allow you to truly make the space your own. Others have strict rules. Choose what supports your vision rather than limits it.
If sustainability matters to you, ask about waste reduction, sourcing, and energy use. Small choices can align your celebration with your values.
A responsive, organized venue team can make planning easier and reduce stress on the wedding day itself.
Sometimes a venue just feels right. Trusting that emotional response is just as important as checking off practical boxes.
because you shouldn't have to settle on your wedding venue
So, how does this work?
Step One
Step Two
Step Three
Lets connect see if we would be the right fit!
If we're a match, lets get planning your dream day and how we can bring it to life for you!
You sit back, relax and know that it's all taken care of!
Reach out
Plan your day
Get married
From our fist call with Bethany we were blown away!
She helped guide us through our million questions and made everything so easy! We hired Bethany to photograph our wedding day and it was the best decision ever! She made the day so easy and fun and we are so thrilled with the results. She captured the day beautifully and we could not be happier!
- Sarah & Josh
So whaddya say?
Are you in?
Reach out for a FREE consultation call, where we can dream up your big day together and make it exactly how you want.