To me, right after you find your estimate date of wedding, venue is the top of the list.
Normally people find venue 10-12 months before wedding day.
Or maybe some people do it express way, 3-6 months before.
Or maybe even less than a month? Who know.
But if you pick a good day with unique date or you want a famous venue, best is to not push your luck too far, by doing last minute hunting or booking.
I always, ALWAYS calculate my budget and estimating way before do any visit.
I avoid to become bridezilla and impulsively pay this or that, want this and that.
I am a bride with a budget.
So I have to prepare myself to make sure the list of my venue is not beyond my budget.
For example:
You know your budget is a hundred million Rupiah, so where do the money go?
Make a list of things you need, from the most important to least.
The budget allocation will vary, depends on your guest amount, location, date, etc.
If, for example I had a hundred million Rupiah budget, and I would like to invite approximately 500 guests, my list would be like this:
1. Venue & Catering 50% (I insisted to find a place that has a package included the food, so venue and catering are in one field)
2. Bridal and Groom's Suit 15%
3. Prewedding Photo & Photo Video Journalism 10%
4. Decoration 10%
5. Others (this includes ring, souvenir, invitation, etc.) 10%
6. Ceremonial Budget 3%
7. Unexpected Budget 2% (In case something happens. You will never know)
Derived from there, it is obvious that venue and catering take the biggest portion of your money, that is only the most basic, there are plenty wedding thingy you will always want to add, but that costs more money.
And to ask yourself, is it really necessary to add this to my wedding?
Will people notice and remember?
Will it make worth the money?
Venue Location
Venue location is also a key to make your budget goes hell or heaven.
Suburban city like Tangerang will cost you less money for venue and catering compared to places in Jakarta.
The more suburban, the less money you will have to pay.
Access is my top priority, the more traffic you need to suffer, the least interest I have on that location.
But please bear in mind that every weekend in Jakarta or any other city, I believe, is always been a hell of a traffic.
The easier access and the more prominent the building location from main road, the better it is to be categorized as best location.
Bear in mind as well that some areas in Jakarta, especially during wedding months (every month that ends with -Ber) mostly carry galons of water and cause flood in every inch of its area.
So better be prepared to make sure your guests will not have to swim or even dive to your wedding reception.
In addition, these days the CBD area in Jakarta is way more hell than hell because of those MRT construction sites, so keep in mind that some fascinated venues are around those area. And during Saturday is the peak.
Service
When you visit a venue and meet the marketing in charge, to me the way they present or handle their customers are important.
Nobody wants to be looked down or taken easy.
Nobody likes to be seen merely from what we wear or the way we look.
So for me, when I meet a terrible marketing, that place is obviously big NO NO.
But so far, nothing is really that bad, even some places according to some forum reviews are considered bad in service, but luckily when me and him got there, none of our ammunition must be taken out *wink*.
Make sure you take note all information or question you want to ask on the day of your visit.
I personally am a lazy person who do not bother to visit or call a venue twice because I forget to ask something, so I always prepare myself.
More or Less?
Different venue gives different bonus when you deal with their packages.
Some venue will have to charge you extra money if you bring outside vendors.
Some venue will even have to charge no matter what because they only rent their place and apparently need extra money in case vendors cause mess.
Calculate carefully, not all those venues with extra charge is more expensive than the venue that includes everything.
I always make chart and calculate everything back then when I visit venues because apparently there is approximate cost for a wedding.
Go back to your own budget estimation and double check.
What To Bring?
In the first place I was confused and had no idea what I want to ask or what should I prepare for venue visit.
I always bring my journal book.
But then after some times, I level up my equipment.
I make charts of venue list.
 |
| venue chart list |
I update the list on my pc, but I print out empty page of the list (without all those informations, only Venue Name, Location, Capacity, Price, Tax, Thing Not Included, Extra Charges, and Payment Method)
And every venue visit I carry that hard copy with me and do doodles there.
Back at home I will update my list accordingly.
What To Do?
First thing when you visit the venue you want, ask them the available slot for your designated date.
Then after that you can ask their package brochure if there is any, make sure the price is updated until the date of your wedding.
If there is price difference, ask them roughly how many percent is usually the increased price.
Make sure you read the package thoroughly.
Ask questions, many of them if you are really a first timer and know nothing about.
Do not hesitate to clarify.
If you already know what you want and what you need, then make sure you refer your needs to the marketing.
For example, if you want to use your own band, excluding the entertainment in the package, will it cost you extra money?
Will you get discount for that?
Will you have to find only the band or also included the MC?
Will the sound system support or you have to find one as well?
Will the electricity sufficient?
Research more will help and guide you go through venue visiting easier.
I always ask about their payment method because sometimes it is not stated on the brochure.
Maybe this does not look important enough, but trust me, this is.
The payment scheme will help you managing your budget easier.
Some places require you to pay the DP first and the first 30% payment a week later or one month later.
Some places require full payment a month before or some three months before.
I always love venue with flexible package.
Meaning when you take out one item on the list, you will get discount and no extra charge.
Some venues will not cut any cost or even request extra charge for excluding item from list.
Trust me, you will become best buddy with calculator.
Some venues are really awesome with their full package menu, those venues are fit for those couple who do not like any fuss or mess.
Just say I do and smile all day long.
Nonetheless, if you just start planning your wedding, better to keep in mind or take note what kind of wedding you want; the theme, the venue style, indoor or outdoor, etc.
And stick to that in mind, or else you will be very overwhelmed by the diversity. Millions of it.
Happy venue-hunting and enjoy the journey!
Cheers,
mel
xoxo
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