It’s been exactly one month since I married my best friend. *Insert giddy squeal here!* Getting married is such an extraordinary experience. Just think about it: you meet someone; you like them enough to share your time, community, and soul with them; you then love them enough to want to do that for the rest of your life; and you lock that in by standing before God, with your best friend, surrounded by friends and family and having the party of a lifetime. It’s really such a transformative experience. As I approached this experience for the second time, I was determined to make every detail meaningful, starting with one of the most important parts: the wedding venue.

Choosing the wedding venue is one of your wedding planning checklist's first and most significant steps. After the euphoria of the engagement settles, you'll find yourself diving into the practicalities of your big day. The venue sets the tone, impacts your budget, and frames your theme. It’s the foundation on which the rest of your wedding planning will build.

The Venue's Role in Budget and Theme

The wedding venue can be the most significant expense in your wedding budget. This is why it’s so important to choose a venue early on. It will dictate many other decisions, from the number of guests you can invite to the type of décor that will best complement the space. It will also help shape the overall theme and atmosphere of your wedding, whether you’re dreaming of a rustic barn celebration, a chic city rooftop, or an elegant ballroom affair.

With that in mind, here are five tips for picking the perfect venue for your second wedding:

Five Tips for Picking the Perfect Wedding Venue

Mychals Cafe Wedding Venue Redondo Beach CA — Mychals Cafe | 2302 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Reflect on Your Priorities: Consider your priority for the day (aside from, you know, the love). Is it location, a view, capacity, food, or amenities? Knowing what matters most to you and your partner will help narrow the options. For my wedding, it was important that the venue serve two purposes — I wanted the ceremony and reception to happen in one space and I wanted that space to have an intimate feel. So I looked for venues that were small and open. We chose a brand-new cafe; it was large and spacious with minimal furniture and walls.
Consider the Guest Experience: Think about your guests' comfort and convenience. Is the venue easily accessible? Is it close to a freeway? Is it visible from the street? Does it offer ample parking? Are there accommodations and activities nearby? When we chose our venue, we ensured it was central enough for out-of-town guests to reach without hassle, yet not in the middle of the hustle and bustle. The cafe is located in Redondo Beach. It’s a city that can be easily reached via the 405 freeway. It’s close to the beach, but not too far from many of LA’s trademark activities. There were a variety of hotels, bars, and stores nearby. It did not offer ample parking, but everything else more than made up for it!
Evaluate the Venue’s Packages: Some venues, like hotels, restaurants, and wedding venues, offer all-inclusive packages that cover catering, decorations, and sometimes even photography. These can be a godsend if you want to simplify planning and keep everything streamlined. However, because our venue was not a traditional wedding venue, there was no all-inclusive package. So we had to piecemeal everything and that’s a lot of work! If your wedding venue comes with an all-inclusive wedding package, take it and thank your lucky stars!
Think Seasonally: The time of year can greatly impact your venue choice. An outdoor venue might be perfect for a summer wedding but less ideal in winter. Since our wedding was in May, and spring now means warmth for a few hours, cold for most of the hours, and probably rain at some point, we wanted an indoor space. The cafe had plenty of floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of all the blooming foliage that spring brings while shielding us from mist and rain. It also offered a small deck for those who were warm or wanted fresh air.
Visit Multiple Venues: Don’t settle on the first venue you visit nor only look at one type of venue. Schedule tours at several locations to compare what each offers in terms of space, amenities, and cost. I just knew I wanted to get married at a restaurant. So I had phone conversations with 13 different restaurants. None of them seemed just right; I’d have to give up something big at each one. And one day, I went to the soft opening of a cafe and fell in love with the space! On a tour, one of the cafe’s representatives said they’d be renting it out at as an event space and I was sold.

Final Reflections and Next Steps

Choosing the right venue is a journey that requires patience and vision. It’s a pivotal part of your wedding planning that will influence every other detail of your special day. Take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy the process of finding that perfect place where you’ll create unforgettable memories.

Ready to start your venue search? Share your top priorities in the comments below, and let’s help each other find the perfect spots to say “I do” again with even more grace and joy.