One of the most magical days in a person’s life is his or her wedding day. Both bride and groom look forward to having an amazing ceremony and reception that fulfills everything they have dreamed about for years. From the dress to the food to the photographs, every aspect of the ceremony is important, including the venue. Churches always have been and still remain one of the top choices for ceremony and reception locations, and making your church wedding-ready doesn’t have to be difficult.
Whether you are updating an existing area or constructing a venue location from scratch, Churches by Daniels is ready to be your construction consultant through the process. Here are five things to consider for hosting weddings in your facility:
1) Aesthetics
Above anything else, you can wow a bride and groom with the mere aesthetic of a room. Without a beautiful backdrop, your venue will likely get passed up. Remember that couples will look back on pictures for years to come and want their venue to have the exquisite feel a bride has dreamed about. Keeping a neutral pallet in the room can help couples and family members envision their ceremony in your space. Brides with a pale pink color scheme don’t want to walk into a room with bright orange walls. Nor does a couple want to get married in a room that looks cheap or stuck in the past. Going for a quality finish or updating the interior can set your venue apart.
Proper lighting is another essential. Having lights that work and brighten a room is vital. You may even consider installing lights that change color or dimmers to help set the right mood. And while interior lighting is important, don’t forget to keep in mind the windows as well. Natural light has a way of enhancing a space like no artificial light can. Having the proper number of windows in a space as well as their placement can make or break the look and feel of the room.
2) Functionality
After envisioning a beautiful space, wedding parties want to make sure your space will function properly for their event. Couples will have room size in mind to ensure all of their guests will fit comfortably without causing a cramped feeling. You might also consider sectioning the room with a partition or glass doors. Some couples may desire a cozier setting or may want to have one room function as both the ceremony and reception halls, and some form of divider can provide them with the exact function they need.
Not all churches allow dancing, but if you do, keep in mind the type of flooring you use. Having a dance-ready floor for a reception will save the couple from having to rent a temporary dance floor, which can be a big plus. Think about how the space needs to function when building or remodeling a space for weddings.
3) Location and Surroundings
It is also important to consider the location of your venue. Sure, the room itself is or will likely be built inside the church, but where in the church is it located? Couples will want to see that the room they are using is close to parking. Are there restrooms located nearby as well as a cafeteria for caterers? If your church provides rooms for the bridal party to get ready, are they near the ceremony hall? The set up, tear down, and wedding itself require a great deal of work and specifics. So, whether you’re hosting weddings in your sanctuary or you have a specific ceremony room, consider a bridal party’s needs and plan the location accordingly.
4) Additions
What type of amenities does your facility provide couples? Certain couples will seek a specific look and will solicit the services of outside, party rental companies, but many couples use the materials provided by their venue. You may consider having the following items on hand for hosting weddings:
- Chairs or pews
- Tables
- Linens
- Plates and cutlery
- Curtains
- A wedding arch
5) Cost
Bringing a couple back to reality is their budget. After looking through your beautiful facility, couples will want to know the cost of renting the space for their big day. Will you charge couples more if they are not members of your church? Will the cost increase if couples want to use your decorations? Will you charge per hour or per day? Having a desirable facility is accompanied by a higher venue cost, but every couple has financial constraints to consider. Have a reasonable and consistent way of charging couples for utilizing your space.
Let us help you bring the perfect wedding venue to life. Our experts at Churches by Daniels have the skills and knowledge to create a space that is beautiful, functional, and cost effective, and our heart is to help create facilities that impact people’s lives. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you.
