Well, before you even start searching, first you need to consider your guest count(hence why we said this should probably be the first step in your planning process). Call any venue to inquire about availability and pricing and the first thing they will ask you is how many people are invited! Rarely if ever will venues give you a quote without a guest count, even if they make it up themselves (but this WILL influence cost).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Next, consider what you want the feel of your wedding to be. This is really, really important; the place sets the tone for the whole day. It's the backdrop of all of the pictures and influences the attitude of your guests, dress, and decor. Do you want an elegant wedding, a fun wedding, an eclectic wedding, a themed wedding, a rustic wedding, etc.? If you've always dreamed of chandeliers and a Cinderella-ballgown dress, you may want to focus on ballroom or indoor venues rather than barns, for example. If you and your fiance want a moodier tone, focus on industrial venues or theatres you can decorate to match your vision rather than a typical reception space.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Determine your budget early. Venues are expensive. Wedding budgets are notorious for getting out of hand fast, and one of the ways this happens is by brides and grooms not setting one early before they start making commitments or falling in love with different things they find. What are you willing to pay for a venue? What if it's all inclusive - what are you planning to pay for other items like catering? (All inclusive venues may be cheaper, but are more often more expensive than a la carte venues. You can likely find cheaper deals on other vendors on your own if the venue will let you select your own vendors.) Remember that the more you have to decorate the space, the more expensive your total cost will be. Decorations and florals are pricey, so the prettier the space naturally is, or if the venue includes decorations, the more you'll save.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Pick a few dates, if possible. Venues book quickly - some are sold out years in advance - so it's probable that several you check out won't have the same date available. If you can be flexible with your date, do so (especially since Friday weddings are sooo much cheaper than Saturday ones). Think about when and where you're having the wedding...that absolutely matters when it comes to picking a venue. If you're getting married in Florida or Arizona, and you want to get married outside but want the wedding to be formal, please don't get married in June on the beach or in the desert in the middle of the afternoon when it's 115 degrees. (The "where" is important - more people will be able to come to local weddings, which means more mouths to feed but also more gifts, and vice versa.)