Picking a wedding venue is a big deal. It’s expensive. It’s also an incredibly overwhelming process. The venue sets the tone for your entire wedding and should be a place that leaves you feeling totally confident about your big day. Everything and everyone come together and centers around the wedding venue. Anna over at The Shores of Turtle Creek provided is some great tips to share with you, so keep these in mind when choosing your venue:

PAY A VISIT TO THE VENUES
Email all prospective venues to schedule a tour with representatives who can answer all of your questions. Go prepared with a pen and paper to take notes. If possible, try to make arrangements to visit the site when it's set up for a wedding. This way, you'll be able to assess the size of your reception area once all of the tables, DJ or band equipment, sweetheart table, and any other necessary components are set up. Don't bring your entire family for an initial site visit. While it's great to have feedback from parents and your maid of honor, limit the first appointment to just you and your fiancé (and a planner, if you have one). Venue selection is a very personal choice, and it sets the tone for your entire event.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Couples often end up booking a venue that looked so-so online because the photos didn't do the grounds justice, or they fall in love with something they didn't expect initially. What you see online is not always real. Let your mind vision your wedding in the venue.
CHECK REFERRALS
Wedding Wire and The Knot are great sources for venue reviews. Past couples are usually very willing to provide a few notes regarding their experience to share with others.
HAVE A PLAN B
Since weather can be unpredictable, it's crucial to have a contingency plan for an outdoor wedding. Before booking, ask what the plan is and walk through it with them. Make sure that you like the backup spaces in the event of inclement weather; if you don't, then you may want to consider another venue or hiring a planner to help out along the way.
READ THE FINE PRINT
Make sure when you are looking for potential venues that you clearly understand what's included and what is not. Read the fine print and triple-check that everything you and your site coordinator discussed is included in the contract.
CHOOSE YOUR COLORS 2ND
Pick your colors or theme after choosing your venue. The colors and theme should represent the season and go well with the space. Think about how the colors and theme complement your venue space for a cohesive look.