Pros and Cons of Different Wedding Venues [2024]: Everything You Need To Know

The overall impact of your wedding depends on the venue you pick. This is because your choice of location affects the theme, décor, lighting and other aspects of your wedding. It even affects your dress decision to a great extent. Hence, the venue decision isn’t one to take lightly. In fact, it is one of the first wedding planning decisions that every couple should make.

From indoor venues like barns, banquet halls and castles to outdoor venues like beaches and gardens, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, there are so many factors to consider when choosing your wedding venue. These include the following

• Your budget
• Expected number of guests
• Accessibilty of location
• Desired wedding theme
• Style of wedding
• Weather at the time of wedding

While these factors are important, this list isn’t exhaustive. There are many more aspects that you have to consider when choosing the venue.

Don’t worry if you are confused or overwhelmed by this. Fortunately, we have an easy way to help you narrow down your choices to the right type of venue for your wedding!

Take a look at our list of pros and cons for the different venue types. This will help you weigh each option against the others and eliminate or short-list the suggested venue type. This should allow you to recognize the best venue for your situation. So, let us take a look at the most popular venue types one by one.

Hotels/Banquet halls

Hotels and resorts are very popular wedding locations, since these venues are equipped to deal with events of this scale. They also have facilities for accommodation and food, which is great if you have a number of outstation guests. Here are the pros and cons of choosing a hotel or resort as your wedding venue.

Pros:

• Staff have experience hosting events of this scale. As a result, most of the day will progress smoothly.
• On-site caterers make menu planning a breeze. You needn’t worry about the logistics of transporting food from another location, setting it up or the service.
• The venue is guaranteed to have great interiors and classy décor to match. You can enhance it with your own choice of decorations.
• You do not have to worry about parking, seating or bathroom facilities on-site.
• They have rooms that you can use to get dressed at. Saves you the trouble of traveling to the venue after getting dressed at home or at another location.

Cons:

• Most hotels offer standard packages, and you may have limited flexibility or have to spend extra to alter things to your exact liking.

• You may have to use the hotel’s vendors and entertainment for the occasion. This may limit your options and you may not be allowed to bring in food or liquor from outside.

• Hotels are quite expensive, as you have to go with the packages they have.

• Good hotels are booked quickly, and since most of them host only one wedding per day you may have to make your decision very early.

For more insight on whether a hotel is the right venue for your wedding, take a look at this article.

Country Club/Garden venue

Many country clubs have options for both indoor and outdoor events, allowing you to enjoy the best of both. There is also a romantic and serene charm to such settings. Here are the pros and cons of picking such venues for your wedding.

Pros:

• They have ample space to accommodate a large guest count. They will also have shaded outdoor seating spaces, cozy indoor relaxing spaces and picturesque locations.

• You have the flexibility of using both indoor and outdoor spaces. So, you can have your ceremony in their grounds, and the reception indoors.

• The food is usually amazing at country clubs. They may also allow you to bring in your own caterer or baker, on prior agreement.

• Country clubs usually have well-maintained grounds, garden spaces and beautiful indoor décor that allow for amazing photographs.

Cons:

• The venue is usually expensive. Also some country clubs require you to have a membership to avail of the facilities. You will have to consider this factor when choosing this venue.

• Since country clubs have a number of event spaces, yours may not be the only event on the day. This means there may be outsiders sharing the same space and amenities.

Beach

The beach is a top wedding destination for couples who want a relaxed, intimate and memorable wedding. From beaches that are close to home to those in the exotic tropics, couples flock to beaches for the unique ambiance they provide. Here is what you should know before you have your wedding at such a location.

Pros:

• Unmatched ambiance and unique feel of the outdoors. Romantic and exciting venue that is interesting and makes for amazing memories

• Destination beach weddings allow you to tailor your wedding to a fixed budget and invite only those you really want at your wedding

• Setting allows you to choose comfortable and casual attire, if you aren’t fond of traditional wedding gowns

• Amazing wedding photos are guaranteed, since the venue will be bathed in natural light and is fun

Cons:

• You need a Plan B in case the weather throws up unwanted surprises like heavy winds or a drizzle.
• Destination beach weddings aren’t easy since you will be making long-distance plans and can’t oversee every detail.

• Unless it is a private beach, outsiders may invade your wedding venue and be in your photos.

More details of what you should remember when planning a beach wedding are available in this article. 

Church/House of Worship

If faith plays an important part in your life, you may choose to have your wedding ceremony at a church or house of worship. This traditional venue comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. Let us look at what they are.

Pros:

• The venue is magnificent and lends an air of grandeur and style to your wedding.

• Suitable for classic wedding themes and allows you to dress traditionally

• There is an organized approach and the various events on the day progress as per tradition. The expected nature of these rituals eliminates confusion.

• Weddings in a house of worship usually cost less than other venues

Cons:

• There are usually restrictions on the dressing for a wedding. You may have to cover your shoulders, which means you can’t pick a strapless gown unless you cover it up with a suitable accessory.

• You will have to find another location for the reception. This means your guests will have to travel from the first venue to the second. This will involve time and more planning.

• Your photography options will be limited in a church. Make sure your photographer has the required equipment to capture the photos with clarity during the ceremony.

Museum/Art Gallery/Castle

Steeped in history, museums and art galleries offer a unique ambiance for a wedding. The very location makes the occasion memorable and it is less traditional. Here are the pros and cons to selecting this venue for your special day.

Pros:

• Since these venues aren’t common choices, it offers a unique and interesting touch to your wedding

• It allows you to paint a picture of your personal taste and likes, making your wedding very personal.

• Suitable for smaller gatherings due to space constraints. This makes the wedding cosy and intimate.

Cons:

• Since these venues aren’t ideally meant to host such events, you will have to put in more effort to plan the event appropriately

• Space constraints mean limiting your guest count to how many people can fit in the venue comfortably.

• You will have to work with the existing décor and choose decorations that do not clash with the aesthetics of the place

• The specialized art and fragile items in the setting require your guests to be careful with how they use the space.

• You will have to find suitable outside vendors for the décor, food and other arrangements.

Reception Halls/Banquet Halls

Whether attached to a hotel or not, reception halls allow you to get your creative juices flowing and plan a wedding that is uniquely you. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this choice.

Pros:

• Unless attached to a hotel or resort, there is little to no décor at the location. This means you can work with the colors and elements of your choice to create a wedding day that reflects your tastes to the smallest detail

• You can plan the entire setting to fit your budget. This gives immense flexibility.

• It is a good space to host a reception following a wedding in a house of worship.

• You can make the space work for your desired guest count by arranging the seating and other details suitably.

Cons:

• The entire bulk of planning is on you. Since there is little to no existing décor, you will have to work hard on getting the theme and aesthetics right to match your vision.

• Unless attached to a hotel, you will have to rent all the required equipment for setting up the arrangement.

• You will have to find outside vendors for the food, decorations and all other aspects of the wedding.

• Chances are that your guests have already been to the reception hall, if they are all from the community. Hence it will be challenging to create a setting that is different and provide an experience that isn’t similar to what they have experienced before.

Backyard

Having an intimate wedding in your own home is unlike weddings at any other venue. As romantic and charming as it is, it comes with a unique set of challenges. Let us explore what they are. You can also check the ultimate guide to planning a backyard wedding.

Pros:

• Backyard weddings are intimate and relaxed. Your guests will feel at home and settle in easily

• This is a venue that you have total control over. You can begin prepping it for the wedding much earlier than you have to with any other venue.

• It is a great way to save on venue expenses, which usually account for a great part of the wedding budget.

• You can personalize the venue to the smallest detail, since you do not have to obtain any permissions or pay attention to limitations where this is concerned.

• You can plan a very unique wedding, by choosing the décor, food and ambiance you want for the event.

Cons:

• Unless you have plenty of space, you will have to limit your guest count to how many people the space can host comfortably.

• You will have to rent seating, install additional lighting and set up the place with all the factors that may not be readily available at home. For instance, you may have to set up outdoor portable washroom facilities since you may not have enough facilities for your guests otherwise.

• You will have to worry about parking space and also check the locale’s concessions on noise and traffic. Your neighbours may not be thrilled about all the commotion if your plans don’t align with the regulations.

• Since you will be living on-site till the wedding day, it will be under use and more difficult to get it ready. You will have to worry about how the place looks and plan everything in time, so it looks picturesque for your wedding day.

For more backyard wedding advice, take a look at this fantastic article on the Bridal Guide. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, every wedding venue comes with its unique set of challenges. At the same time, it also has its own unique benefits. With creativity, good organization and proper planning, it is possible to transform any venue into your dream wedding destination. So, tell us which wedding venue will you prefer for your special day?

For wedding dresses for any venue, whether it is a castle, museum, beach or hotel, visit us at Best for Bride. We will help you find the right dress for your venue, so you can be a bride who belongs in the setting!

Summary: Pros and Cons of Different Wedding Venues

• Outdoor venues offer natural beauty and a picturesque setting for wedding ceremonies, but they are often weather-dependent and may require backup plans.
• Indoor venues provide climate control and a reliable setting, but they may lack the charm and ambiance of outdoor spaces.
• Hotels and banquet halls offer convenience with on-site amenities, such as catering and accommodations, but they can be expensive and lack uniqueness.
• Country clubs provide an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, along with professional staff and well-maintained grounds, but they may have strict rules and membership requirements.
• Vineyards and wineries offer a romantic and rustic ambiance, along with scenic views and excellent photo opportunities, but they may have limited capacity and higher costs.
• Historic venues, such as mansions or castles, provide a grand and timeless backdrop for weddings, creating a sense of grandeur, but they can be expensive and have limited availability.
• Beach weddings offer a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, with beautiful ocean views and a tropical vibe, but they can be subject to unpredictable weather conditions and accessibility issues.
• Destination weddings allow couples to combine their wedding and honeymoon in a stunning location, creating a memorable experience, but they can be expensive for guests and require additional planning.

FAQ – Wedding Venues

What is the most affordable wedding venue?

Breakfast & Bed. Consider the following: a warm, private venue that feels like home, attractive on-site guest accommodations, and a charming garden ideal for your small outdoor ceremony. Plus, there’s an integrated post-wedding brunch.

What is the cost of a wedding venue in Ontario?

Wedding venues in Ontario start at $57 per person and go up from there. Wedding venues in Ontario have a capacity of 251 people on average. Wedding venues cost a total of $14,307.

What characteristics distinguish a suitable wedding location?

Consider art galleries, well-designed eateries, or warehouse spaces if you’re having a modern wedding. A wedding with more natural themes, on the other hand, works well with outside settings like parks, backyards, and ranches.

When is the best time to start looking for wedding venues?

Make a reservation as soon as you and your partner have chosen a location. It’s much better to book a wedding venue 15 months in advance than to find out your desired wedding venue isn’t available on the dates you want.

Is it required for a wedding location to be licenced?

If you wish to have a marriage or civil partnership ceremony in a non-religious facility or linked outside area, you’ll need a civil partnership or marriage venue licence (premises authorisation).