The wedding venue is perhaps one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when planning your wedding. That’s why you’ll want to consider these 5 things before deciding on where you want to take those sacred vows.
- Size Matters
One of the most important things to think about is the size of your wedding venue. It’s easy to forget that you need to make sure the event space is large enough to accommodate all of your guests as well as the setup items.
You should think about how the space will be when it’s full. When it’s empty, it’s possible the space could look really big, but consider what it will look like with tables, chairs, a bar, a band or DJ area, the dance floor, and a buffet.
If your wedding is in the New Jersey area, Waterside offers five spaces to choose from: the Ceremony, The Pearl Gallery, The Opal Ballroom, The River Room, and the Ocean Room. The Ceremony is a lovely outdoor venue that boasts the New York skyline as its backdrop, and it also has an indoor option in case of inclement weather.
The Pearl Gallery is an elegant indoor space overlooking the Hudson River. The huge windows give you a beautiful view where you can watch the lights of New York City twinkling on the river. If you prefer an open and airy layout, The Opal Ballroom is a great choice.
The River Room and The Ocean Room are both semi-private event spaces. Both feature elegant styles and beautiful views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.
- Wedding Venue Lighting
This is your big day, and everyone wants to look their best. Moreover, lighting is what sets the mood. You don’t want it to be too dim or lit by fluorescent lighting — nobody looks good under fluorescent lights!
If your wedding is during the daylight hours, you’ll want to ensure that the venue has plentiful natural lighting, and if it\’s in the evening, you don’t want it to be too dimly lit. At Waterside Events, the indoor spaces all have large windows for natural lighting, and the staff can help design just the right lighting for evening events.
It’s a good idea to visit the venue at the same time of day as your wedding to check out the lighting and the way other features may look at that time of day. Perhaps it looks romantic by candlelight, but if you turn up the lights, you’ll see the stained carpet. You won’t have to worry about that at Waterside Events.
If your wedding is during the day, it’s also important to check how sunlight streaming in through the windows transforms the room and where the sun will be when you’re taking your vows. The Waterside Events staff is happy to check out all of these details with you when you visit and choose your wedding space.
- Check Out the View
You’ll remember this day for the rest of your life, and the last thing you want to remember is how your wedding venue had a perfect view of the strip mall across the street. Whether you want a city skyline, majestic mountains, or ocean waves rolling onto the beach, make sure you like the view.
It’s not just the outside view that matters either; it’s the inside too. You want to make sure the space is stylishly decorated. Maybe it’s the crystal chandelier, the beautiful artwork on the walls, or the Persian rugs. Whatever your taste, make sure the wedding venue matches it.
It helps to imagine your guests walking into the room. What will they see first, and is it eye-catching for a positive reason? Waterside Events on the Hudson River boasts stunning views of the river and the Manhattan skyline that just can’t be beat. It’s a great backdrop for a memorable wedding.
- Don’t Forget the Restrooms
It’s not the most glamorous thing to think about, but you will have a lot of people eating, drinking, and dancing in this wedding venue. They will also need to use the restroom, and you’ll want them to be clean and nicely decorated.
At Waterside Events, The Opal Ballroom and The Pearl Gallery both have private restrooms reserved for your guests, but all spaces have plenty of clean, elegant restrooms.
- Parking
Your guests will need sufficient space to park legally at the wedding venue. If the location doesn\’t have parking, then you’ll need to consider other options such as using a shuttle bus to ferry guests to and from a parking spot.
Waterside Events has plenty of parking available, and for your convenience, many of the wedding spaces include valet parking so all you have to worry about is having a great time.
Final Thoughts
You’ll remember your wedding day for the rest of your life, and of course, you want it to be perfect. Choosing the wedding venue is a big part of what can make your wedding a dream or a nightmare.
By carefully considering these 5 things, you’ll help ensure your wedding venue is everything you ever wanted. At Waterside Events, we’re happy to help ensure your wedding is everything you have ever dreamed it would be!