Right Time, Right Place-Courier Post- 2/14/08
February 14, 2008
Section: South Jersey Weddings

Right time, right place
Courier-Post

Which comes first: The venue of your dreams or the day of the year that suits your fancy? There's no right or wrong answer -- it just depends on your priorities.

Before circling a square on the calendar in ink, however, it's worthwhile investing time in a bit of research.

If a church ceremony is desired, then it is important to secure the church first because of the limited dates it's available, says wedding planner Isis Petrie of POSH Events in Merchantville. "If a couple wants to get married in a church from their childhood, then that leaves them with one option for a church, but many options for a (reception) venue." On the other hand, if you are having the ceremony and reception together than typically choosing a date first is good because you have more flexibility, says Petrie.

Take your time

Just like the Rolling Stones said, time is on your side. There's no required length of time for an engagement. You can get married after six months of engagement, you can get married after 18 months. Twelve months is a length of time that makes sense for a few reasons. First, many places are booked well in advance, so this gives you more flexibility with locking down a location. In addition, there are just a lot of details that go into planning a wedding. The more breathing room you have, the better. And there's nothing wrong with some extra prenuptial time with your spouse-to-be.

Keep time in mind when selecting a wedding date, too. Select a time of year when work isn't at its most-demanding point for you and your spouse-to-be.

Stay away from holidays, particularly New Year's Eve. They are the most expensive because the venues have to pay their staff extra, says Petrie.

"Some facilities offer discounts for winter weddings, January to March," notes Petrie.

If the wedding will take place in a big city, consider any high-traffic events that might be scheduled around that time, too. In some locations, summer tourists can make reservations harder to book. If you plan to invite a number of out-of-town guests, be sure you will be able to secure a block of hotel rooms.

Going to the chapel

Religious or family traditions may influence where your wedding takes place, but the choice really is up to you. It's possible to get married at a childhood church, a local landmark or even someone's backyard. Be sure the place is meaningful to both of you.

If your reception space is separate from your wedding location, the first thing to keep in mind is the number of guests. Some places may not accommodate a large number of guests. A large venue may make a small wedding party feel spread out. Like Goldilocks, you'll want to find the place that's just right. This also is a good time to take advantage of any alumni or country club memberships, which may give members first consideration for locations.

Be sure your location is in sync with your style and the theme of the wedding. Really pay attention to room size and decor, says wedding coordinator Mary McGowan of Haddonfield's Organizational Concepts.

If the decor or overall feeling of a place doesn't feel right, move on. Visit locations at the same time of day your reception will take place to get the feel and overall effect.

"There should be a cohesion between attire, venue, entertainment and the whole look of the night," says Petrie, who has been event planning for six years.

Seasons of change

Keep your personal style in mind when deciding your wedding date, too. If you want a classic summer wedding, go for it. If the rebirth of the earth seems like the right time to celebrate your new life, opt for a springtime wedding. Or if you've always been drawn toward the end-of-the-year holidays, celebrate with a winter wedding bash.

The time of year might not seem peripheral to the location or decor of your wedding, but year in, year out, whether it's the flowers blooming, leaves changing color or snow falling to the ground, the one thing you'll remember is your wedding season.

When it comes down to it, the choice of venue is "all a matter of the couple's personal taste," says McGowan, who has been planning weddings for 15 years.

-- Timothy R. Schulte/CTW Features and Jennifer Potosky/For the Courier-Post

Don't overlook the details
Wedding planner Isis Petrie offers these tips to consider when deciding on venues:
Keep budget, personal style and venue feasibility in mind.
When budgeting, know that venue prices per person typically do not include tip and gratuity; which is typically 7 percent for tax and 19 to 21 percent for gratuity.
Know the ratio of staff to guests.
If the reception is outside, make sure the venue has an alternate indoor space if there is inclement weather.
Look at the entire venue. Check out the often-overlooked bathroom. It not only is important to look for cleanliness but practicality. (Can it accommodate the bride if she needs to change there?)

Friday night lights?

Call it Saturday Night Fever, because that's when most weddings take place. However, sidestepping around Saturday and opting for a Friday or Sunday not only means you'll have a better chance of booking the location you want, you'll likely be able to save a few bucks by not booking during a prime time.

-- CTW Features