There are two significant parts to this question, and both are vital for couples looking for the perfect wedding venue. When searching for The Place for your big day, you will work closely with the venue manager, and your relationship with them is just as important as anything else. 

First, you need to be able to trust them. As you will have 101 questions every hour, you want to work with someone who will tell it to you straight. You don’t want them to skirt around any questions or provide vague answers, as this can make you concerned that the venue is not entirely as it seemed. There must be a balance, also. The manager should be friendly, as this can help build a rapport for one of the most important days of your life. 

You should also look for someone who is timely and professional and provides excellent customer service. While wedding planning can be stressful for everyone involved, exceptional customer service will give you the peace of mind you need that you’re in safe hands. 

It isn’t just about the interpersonal relationship between you and the manager, though. They must also be good at their job. This isn’t as easy to recognize at first, so consider looking at reviews that mention the manager by name. This will give you a reliable indicator of their abilities. 

When it comes to choosing wedding venues, closer is usually more preferred. There are many reasons for this. You don’t want to spend your big day traveling. Even if you travel to the venue the night before, you don’t want the journey to take it out of you. 

In addition to this, you don’t want traffic to disrupt the journey for your guests. Choosing a venue that’s too far away could come with issues that are entirely out of your control. There could be an accident on the highway, or weather conditions (especially in Boston) could make it difficult for some guests to make it to the venue on time. 

You should also think about after the wedding and the reception. Late-night taxis are not the cheapest, and as everyone will likely leave at a different time, it can be difficult to arrange group transport. Guests who aren’t staying overnight at the venue or at least overnight somewhere closeby, won’t want to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere, no matter how picturesque the scenery was during the day. 

Of course, if you have your heart set on a specific location that is far away, you can inform your guests to make arrangements as early as possible so they can get to and from the wedding without any problems.

The average cost of a wedding in Massachusetts in 2020 was $30,489. This is as low as it has been across five years in the state, falling from $34,700 in 2019, and the highest of $35,900 in 2016. 

Across all 51 states in the U.S, Massachusetts was ranked at number one in average wedding cost. Aside from being the most expensive in the country in 2020, it might be easier to compare the cost to neighboring states like Rhode Island ($25,458, 10/51) and Connecticut ($29,499, 3/51). However, if you compare these numbers to 2019, Massachusetts was cheaper or equal to both states. 

When choosing your wedding venue, it is always important to compare the industry average to your quoted cost. You should also compare these costs with any other expenses you will have, such as licenses and local accommodation for overnight guests. 

When deciding how much you should pay for your wedding venue, there are several factors to consider. The venue must not be overpriced, but it should not be too cheap either (both are red flags). Instead, compare to the state- or even nationwide industry, and look for a fair price that provides a good-quality venue with everything you need. 

Everyone has a different definition of the perfect wedding. Some have dreamed of a huge celebration with all of their friends and family in attendance. Others would prefer a more modest event with a special few guests and a wedding that is not too large. 

Regardless of your preferred capacity, you must make sure the venue can accommodate everyone you have invited. The last thing you want is for people to be standing at the back because you did not adequately plan for the number of guests, especially as the ceremony can be longer than you think. 

On the other hand, you also don’t want the venue to be too spaced out. No one wants to walk a mile from one side of the venue to the other to attend the sitdown meal. You can provide transport if the reception is in a different place than the ceremony, but this can add to the overall cost. 

If the reception takes place in the same venue as the ceremony, as many modern weddings do if not getting married in a church, you need to identify the perfect size. A venue that’s too small will make the guests feel crowded, and there’s a risk the dancefloor could become a hazard. But, if there is too much space, it will not feel as personal as you want, and the venue could come across as cold. You can check with the venue manager to see how many people they accommodate and ask about previous weddings.

Even if you don’t think your wedding has a specific theme, it still has a theme. Everyone wants their venue to match the dream wedding they have always envisioned, so you need to think carefully about how the venue could reflect this dream. 

If you have always wanted a fairytale wedding, you might want to look for a stately home for the venue. If you’d prefer something more natural and rustic, an old country house with original frames could be perfect. Maybe you want to get married out in the open, perhaps in a woodland clearing or overlooking the ocean. There will be venues that can provide this. 

However, choosing a venue to reflect your dream wedding is easier said than done. You need to take capacity, cost, and accessibility into account to accommodate all of your guests. Not being able to find the venue of your dreams isn’t the end of the world. You may be able to dress up whatever venue you select to match what you need as a last resort.

Every bride and groom should have a list of non-negotiables to take into consideration when planning your wedding. These are specific requirements that you have to ensure you find a venue that fits your needs perfectly. 

Knowing your non-negotiables will help you narrow down your options and save time looking at venues you would never choose in a million years. 

Your non-negotiables can include things like catering, which will depend on your post-ceremony plans. Are you having a sit-down meal or a buffet? Can the venue accommodate what you need? Do they have a kitchen on-site? What about the music? A live band is always a fantastic way to get the party started, but does the venue allow live music? If it is close to residential areas, zoning laws may prohibit this. 

You can also think about any wedding entertainment. Sparklers, fireworks, or acts like fire eaters will wow your guests. Again, there could be specific restrictions or hazards in place that don’t allow for this. 

While you can make changes for some elements, you also want a wedding that matches what you’ve always wanted. 

When it comes to the weather, no one can accuse Boston of being boring. Like other cities in the area, it experiences seasons the way seasons are supposed to be experienced. This means you’ll get hot and humid summers and cold, snowy winters. 

While this is more interesting than the baking heat of Phoenix, it also means there’s a risk the weather could impact your day. No matter what time of year you choose to have your wedding, you will need to consider a backup space should the weather turn. Most people don’t want rain on their wedding day, so a venue that has a covered area with a large capacity is a must. As for a winter wedding, you’ll need to think about how the weather could impact mobility and access. You don’t want to be snowed-in on your big day, nor do you want temperatures to plummet so low that even moving from the car to the venue threatens frostbite. 

Any decent venue should have ample space to accommodate guests and ensure everyone is comfortable. You might even experience a little rain, but as long as there is a place for everyone to stay dry, this shouldn’t be a problem. If you are concerned about the weather impacting your day, make sure you arrange for everything to take place inside rather than suffer the disappointment of being rained out because of the elements. The more prepared you are for any eventuality, the easier it will be to choose your perfect wedding venue.