You’re engaged! You’ve celebrated with friends and family and you’ve selected the date. So where do you go from here? The top three things to do after getting engaged are to select your wedding date, create your guest list, and then set your budget. These three things will dictate everything on your wedding day. Once you’ve set these items in place, it’s time to select your wedding venue!
Typically, your wedding venue will be around 25-30% of your entire wedding budget. Your selected wedding venue will set the scene for your wedding day and can inspire your floral scheme, attire, invitations, and everything in between.
With your venue selection, you want to make sure that you can realistically plan your wedding based on your venue’s space. Is your wedding venue mostly an outdoor facility? If so, then you’ll need to account for renting the items you’ll need to create your vision. One of our favorite things about Cotton Hall is that our venue offers a huge blank canvas for you to create your one-of-a-kind wedding in the most beautiful setting. Here you’ll be inspired by the surrounding nature. If your budget doesn’t allow for a full rental order, then you may want to select a venue that offers rentals. We can provide up to 100 chairs and 10 round tables for any event, so those items are a plus! You’ll also want to make sure that you can comfortably fit all your guests at your selected venue and that you have ample parking for all of your guests.
Once you’ve thought through the logistics of rentals, now it’s time to think of the fun stuff! Think about how your guests will enter the venue and how they’ll be wowed by the beautiful oak drive into the property. When selecting a wedding venue, make sure you stay true to your style. Are you looking for an industrial and modern venue in the heart of the city? Or something more private, wooded, and rustic? How will your floral and décor scheme fit into your venue? Will it clash or blend with your potential wedding venue? While you’re touring any venue, try to think of these items as you walk the venue and how they’ll look on your wedding day.
Where will you get ready for your wedding day? Does your venue offer dressing rooms? We have two dressing areas for our couples along with an open “work area” for hair and makeup services. Additionally, our upstairs bridal dressing room opens to the balcony where you can set up tables with food and beverages while getting ready for your special day. We love spaces that can be transformed into different things. If you desire to have an intimate bridal luncheon in the morning, this balcony space would be an excellent place for a luncheon before getting ready also!
It’s always a bonus if your wedding venue can offer accommodations for your guests! Cotton Hall has a total of 5 bedrooms for overnight guests. Can your wedding venue offer you added value services? We can offer in-house planning and catering services but you’re always welcome to bring in your own vendors for your wedding day.
We would love to have you share your wedding day with us at Cotton Hall. Contact us today to schedule your tour of the property.