Hey there! Let’s start off by saying that booking a wedding venue in Lagos can be easy if you start planning early enough. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get to the gist of things. No doubt you’re looking forward to the big day. And in anticipation of that day, you’ve kicked off with some wedding prep. The wedding dress, the cake, and the decor. Now you need a venue, right?

Your wedding venue is where it happens. It’s the place that brings your wedding ideas to life. It practically dictates the success of your big day. And as such, it should be one of, if not the first thing on your preparation list.

But how do you go about it? Will a phone call do the trick? Of course not! Booking a wedding venue is not as easy as it sounds. So, if you’re wondering what it entails, you are in the right place. In this post, we’re going to drop 6 tips to help you when booking a wedding venue in Lagos.

1. Budget

Once again, your budget always comes first. It acts as a guide when going through different venues. So, have in mind an idea of what you need and want. Then, make a budget based on that. Of course, various things come into play when creating a budget for your venue. Throughout this article, we’ll identify some of them.

2. Guest List (Size of the Wedding)

The number of guests you’re expecting has a lot of roles to play in booking your wedding venue. And of course, it also affects your budget-making. If you’re not careful during this step, your entire wedding plans may go wrong.

What if your venue is too small to accommodate the large number of guests you’ve already invited? To avoid the worst-case scenario, start making your guest list if you haven’t done so.

When booking a wedding venue in Lagos, it’s best to play it safe and go for one which can hold a little more than the number of guests expected. For instance, if you’re expecting about 70-80 guests, you can opt for a venue that can hold 100 people. This will also help to avoid congestion. But of course, your budget has a lot of say in this.

3. Wedding Date

It may not look like it, but your wedding date is another major factor to keep in mind. Why? Well, it’s common knowledge to book your wedding vendors several months before the big day. And your wedding venue is no exception.

Depending on how popular the venue is used, you may have to book it down a year or months in advance. And if your wedding date falls on a popular Saturday (watch out especially for the last Saturdays before major holidays), you have to act fast. Don’t wait till it’s too late to book your wedding venue to avoid any disappointment.

But what if you still got beaten to the venue? Well, a slight change in the wedding date might do the trick. For instance, if the Saturday of your choice has been booked, you may decide to opt for a Friday of that same week. Or even still, you may decide to wait a week.

Whatever you decide, you should keep in mind your priority – the wedding date or the wedding venue? If the date is a must, you may have to consider another venue.

4. Distance and Location

The venue’s location is yet another thing to consider. Is it the right place for you? What about the distance? What about transportation costs? Will your vendors be able to get there in time to begin preparations? These are vital questions that come into play when you’re booking a wedding venue in Lagos. After all, you don’t want your vendors and guests to be caught up in Lagos traffic.

If you’re going to make use of different venues for ceremony and reception, choose venues that are close to each other for easy access.

Also, ensure that there are no obstacles that might hinder your guests from getting to the wedding venue. To do so, it is advisable to have someone drive around the area to identify any roadblocks. In case of any obstacle, you should have one or two alternative routes to the location before the wedding day.

5. Venue details

You have a wedding venue in mind. It can hold the capacity of your coming guests. Its location is in the right place. And above all, it’s within your budget. Before you book it down, there are other things you need to check for. These are necessary factors that affect how your day turns out:

• Decor. When checking a wedding venue out for the first time, it may appear plain and blank. And you may wonder whether the decor you have in mind will fit in perfectly. Not to worry, you only need to check out pics of previous ceremonies held in the same venue. You can do this by checking the venue’s site and making sure your decorator is informed about the location ASAP. Or, if possible, request some photos from past clients.
• Lighting. No doubt, this affects the overall mood of the occasion. And what’s more, it is essential for your wedding photographer. So, if your reception and ceremony are held indoors, ensure the venue has adequate lighting. Ventilation also matters a lot.

6. Comfort

Above all, when booking your wedding venue, make sure you’re comfortable with it. After all, it is your day. So, ask yourself: will this venue bring my vision to life? Is it what I want for my day? Remember, your wedding is a special occasion and you have to enjoy every detail of it to the fullest.

Wrapping Up: The Key to Booking a Wedding Venue in Lagos Easily!

As mentioned earlier, booking a wedding venue in Lagos is not as easy as it sounds. It is a vital aspect of your wedding planning. From decorations to photography, every detail of your event depends on the wedding venue. So, if you go for a venue that’s lacking, it may ruin the other aspects of your big day.

Well, not to worry. The 6 tips we mentioned in this post will help you when you’re booking a wedding venue in Lagos. The key is to start as early as possible. Feel free to check out some of our other wedding planning articles or our recent weddings and see how we can preserve the memories of your dream day at your dream location.