Okay, so, like every other couple getting hitched, my partner and I were totally clueless about where to start with wedding planning. The venue, though – that felt like the big first step. I mean, it sets the whole vibe, right? So we dove in, heads first, into the wild world of wedding venues.
Listing Out the Options
First off, we brainstormed. We jotted down every place we could think of that might work. You know, local vineyards, fancy hotels, even that cool rustic barn we drove past once. We ended up with a pretty decent list, maybe eight or ten spots that seemed promising.
Gathering Intel
Next, we started digging for info. We hit up their websites, scrolled through their Instagrams, read reviews – the whole nine yards. We were trying to get a feel for the capacity, the cost (of course!), and just the general aesthetic. I felt like a detective, piecing together clues.
Creating the Spreadsheet
Now, this is where things got organized. I whipped up a spreadsheet. Nothing fancy, just a simple Google Sheet. I made columns for the venue name, capacity, price range, what’s included in the packages, our gut feeling, and pros and cons. It was pretty basic, but it was a game-changer.
Filling in the Blanks
We started plugging in the info we’d gathered. Some venues were easy – they had all their pricing and packages laid out online. Others, not so much. We had to make some calls, send some emails, and follow up to get the full picture. This took some time, ngl, but it was worth it.
Comparing Apples to Apples
Once we had a decent amount of info, the real comparison began. This is where the spreadsheet really shined. We could easily see which venues were within our budget, which ones could hold all our crazy relatives, and which ones just felt right.
- Venue Name: This was the first thing we had to pin down.
- Capacity: How many people can this place fit?
- Price Range: The big one. Can we even afford this?
- Package Inclusions: What are we getting for our money? Catering, bar, decor, etc.?
- Gut Feeling: What’s the vibe? Do we love it or are we “meh”?
- Pros & Cons: Making note of any particular positives and negatives of the venue.
Making Notes
Under the “Notes” section, we were dumping everything else. Like, “They have a killer outdoor ceremony space, but the dance floor is kinda small.” Or, “Super responsive to emails, but their minimum guest count is way higher than what we need.” You know, just the little things that might tip the scales one way or another.
Narrowing It Down
After a few weeks of research and spreadsheet-filling, we started to see some clear frontrunners. We crossed off the ones that were way out of budget or just didn’t fit our vision. It felt good to, like, declutter the list.
The Final Decision (Almost)
We’re still in the process of visiting our top choices, but the spreadsheet has been a lifesaver. It’s made the whole process so much less overwhelming. We feel organized, informed, and confident that we’re making the right decision. And hey, it’s kinda fun to see it all laid out in front of us, you know? This spreadsheet is, like, our wedding planning bible at this point.
So yeah, that’s my spreadsheet story. Hope this helps someone out there who’s just starting their venue hunt. Trust me, make the spreadsheet. You won’t regret it!
