You’ve decided to do the thing and get married. YAY! Congrats! Ready to embark on the adventure of wedding planning? Before you dive headfirst into endless venue tours, here are some of my favorite tips for choosing your venue AND my favorite venues in the area. Choosing the perfect spot for your "I do's" can feel overwhelming, so I wanted to put this guide together for couples who are unsure about where to start.

This guide will equip you with essential tips and tricks to navigate the venue search with confidence:

• Finding Your Perfect Match: Your wedding venue should feel like an extension of you, so take some time to think about what's most important. Are you envisioning a cozy rustic barn wedding or a modern urban celebration? Whatever your style, there's probably a venue in the Ann Arbor area that fits.

• Sticking to Your Budget: Let's face it – weddings can be expensive. But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your dreams to stay within budget. Set a realistic budget and do your best to stick to it. Look for venues that offer inclusive packages (that include catering, linens, tables, etc) OR venues that allow you to bring in your own vendors to help stretch your dollars further. These sorts of venues are great for the couples that prefer to DIY a lot of their decor.

• Bonus tip: A day-of coordinator may be helpful if you’re a hardcore DIYer and/or choose a venue that requires you to bring in all or most of the basics. You do not want to be setting up your reception and folding napkins at 11pm the night before your wedding because you didn’t have time to do it earlier.

• Preparing for the Unexpected: Michigan weather can be unpredictable, so it's essential to choose a venue with a solid rain plan in place. Trust me, you don't want to be scrambling for cover if a sudden downpour hits on your big day! Look for venues that offer indoor/outdoor spaces or have backup options available. Or, at minimum, be familiar with a local tent rental company for a last minute tent.

• Seeing is Believing: While online research is a great starting point, there's no substitute for seeing a venue in person. Make a shortlist of your top contenders, then schedule visits to each one. Pay attention to how the space makes you feel – after all, you want your venue to feel like home on your wedding day.

• Planning from Afar: If you're planning your wedding from out of town, this is really no big deal. Enlist the help of a local wedding planner (I’m happy to provide some recommendations!) or a trusted friend to scout venues on your behalf. And be sure to check a calendar to avoid scheduling your wedding during peak events like the Ann Arbor Art Fair or U of M football games, which can impact hotel availability and pricing for out-of-town guests. As much as we love our football around here, it is a buzzkill trying to be somewhere (like your ceremony) on time before or after a game. Don’t risk it.
  

Now, let's talk about some of the best wedding venues in the Ann Arbor area (in no particular order):

A few bonus venues…

Venue search stress melting away? It should be! With these tips and curated list, finding your dream Ann Arbor venue just got a whole lot easier. Once you’ve booked with one of these venues, you’re probably ready to book your next vendor: a photographer! Please reach out so we can talk about ALL the details of what you’re envisioning for your day.

Happy Planning!