6 Common Mistakes When Building A Wedding Venue
by Kristin Binford - Successful Venue Owner and Wedding Venue Coach
Building a wedding venue can sound like ALL fun
So you're thinking about building a wedding venue?
That's amazing! So are lots of other people.
It's actually become a very trendy idea with caterers, photographers, farmers, and big dreamers building their own wedding venue.
Now, I wouldn't be doing you justice if I didn't stop to say there is much research, far beyond this brief article, that you should be doing if you are serious about starting a venue (even if you are already in the wedding industry.)
However, this article does illustrate 6 very common problems that you should avoid when building a wedding venue business. These mistakes could cost you money, time and absolutely add to your day to day frustration.
Let's dive in!
Building A Wedding Venue? Avoid These Mistakes
1. Starting Construction Without the Proper Permits
When building a wedding venue, the permitting process can often be painful, confusing, and make you want to quit before you get started. It can easily take 6 - 12 months or more to get through the city and county requirements for obtaining a permit to host weddings and special events, (and please note - getting them is NEVER guaranteed.)
In the case that your property is not currently zoned to allow venues, the process can take even longer. Often your neighbors will have a voice in your permit approval, so it's a good idea to make friends with them early and quiet their fears regarding noise, trash, and drunk drivers.
Starting construction or booking weddings without the proper permitting can turn out to be a terrible business-killing idea. The last thing you want to have to do is cancel a couple’s wedding date because you didn't have your ducks in a row. Get them in a row, in writing from the city and the county, before you start building and booking.
2. Not Enough Storage Space
I've been to lots of venues and have coaches many venue owners. I have yet to meet someone who thinks they have enough storage space. We have a 20 x 20 storage space in the venue and it's not nearly enough room. Trust me, double whatever you think you need.
3. Dysfunctional Flow
It can be pretty obvious when a wedding venue was built without input from someone very knowledgable about the functional flow of weddings. It's kind of like when you go to a restaurant and they put the bathrooms right by the kitchen. It might have worked well for plumbing, but when you see a waiter and a guest collide coming out at the same time and food go flying... you realize there had to have been a better way.
Consider things like how tables and chairs will be moved from an indoor ceremony layout to a reception layout, pre-function space, and how guests and vendors will enter and exit the building on rainy or icy days.
4. Not Considering Wheelchair Accessibility
Some "grandfathered-in" venues may not be required to be ADA compliant, but your couples and their families will care. I'm regularly asked at tours, "Is this wheelchair accessible?" and "Do you have chairs? My grandma will need a seat with a back, not a bench."
Even if you aren't required to be wheelchair accessible, it will benefit you and your guests to make the necessary accommodations.
5. Buying Ugly Chairs
Do not underestimate the perceived value of chairs. If you have ugly chairs they will be in every photo. Your brides will notice them. Brides may have to increase their budgets to buy chair covers or sashes. Do them and yourself a favor and invest in beautiful chairs. (Pro note: folding venue chairs take up less than 1/2 the space of non-folding venue chairs that must be stacked. Please see #2 and plan for EXTRA space!)
Learn more about this: 6 Reasons Not To Purchase Ugly Chairs When Opening a New Wedding Venue
6. Undervaluing the Importance of Functional Lighting
We made this mistake. Don't make it too. Indoor ceremonies need good lighting. Consult a lighting expert and get it right the first time. It's NOT just about picking pretty fixtures, it's truly about great indoor lighting design.
Watch Our Free Venue Owner Masterclass
When I opened a venue 6 years ago I had the luxury of learning slowly. New venue owners today don't have the same luxury. There is dramatically more competition (with much more coming), more regulation, and an even higher expectation from brides.