We get lots of calls from future brides who just got engaged. They are so excited to start planning their wedding. There are many factors that couples consider when they get engaged and begin their wedding planning journey. Let’s assume they have done all their homework and want to tour Atlanta area wedding venues that have made it to their short list. It will help to know how to tour an Atlanta wedding venue and what to expect when you arrive.
Contact the Wedding Venue
The contact information for wedding venues is readily available on their website or social media. Wedding venues want you to easily find a way to make a connection! The wedding venue website usually has links to contact forms. This is the best way to make an initial contact. Other social media options also provide ways to reach a wedding venue. You will hear back from the venue, hopefully the venue owners, within a day or two. Locally owned wedding venues tend to reply immediately or within a few hours!
Plan a Phone Call
We have been an outdoor wedding venue in the Atlanta area for almost 8 years. We know that a phone call provides the best way to find out if we are the place for you. Or not! We think it is better to find out right off the bat if our wedding venue has what you are looking for before either of us invests the time involved in making an appointment and then touring the venue. You probably have limited amounts of time- most of us do! You don’t want to waste your time visiting a venue that really isn’t a fit.
Schedule a Tour
If a phone call with the wedding venue owners goes well and you are still interested it is time to book a tour! Most venues avoid tours on a day when an event is scheduled. There are plenty of other time slots available that avoid touring on someone else’s wedding day. Whether you can book on a weekday after or before work or find a convenient time on a weekend the venue will work with you to set up a visit.
Plan to see the venue, discuss the available wedding packages and have time for questions. This visit will probably take about an hour and a half. Sometimes it can take longer. There should be no rush to move you out! Give yourself plenty of time afterwards to make sure you get the most out of your tour. You might want to give yourself a little time before or afterwards to see the local hotels if you will have out of town guests.
How to Tour an Atlanta Wedding Venue Certainly Includes a Visit!
There are plenty of ways to get help navigating to a destination these days. Most of the time the modern methods work well. However, just in case there are special conditions, it might be best to ask when you set up a tour if there is anything special about planning a route to the venue. Most venue tours will start at the wedding venue building at a designated time. At The Venue at Murphy Lane you will be met by the venue owners. We will not tour with more than one couple at a time. This is a Big Deal! You deserve the attention a private tour will allow. After meeting the venue owners and having a chance to say “hello” you will begin the tour.
How to Tour an Atlanta Wedding Venue Includes Knowing What to Expect When You Visit
See the Property
Most venues have plenty of online photos to show you the property. It is sometimes difficult to see two dimensional images and get an accurate understanding of the space. How is the drive into the property? How does it feel to you? Imagine what your guests will think as they enter the wedding venue property and make their way in for your wedding ceremony and reception.
At Murphy Lane we start the wedding venue tour at the front doors of our venue building. We will show you the reception and dining area, the “First Dance” options, the covered patio, the open patio spaces, the restrooms, the Groom’s Room and the Bridal Lounge. We also let you see the catering kitchen and workspace. Next is a golf cart ride to get an overview of the property and a first-hand look at the ceremony sites. Since Murphy Lane is on an 88 acre property golf carts are the best way we have found to give you a look at our space. You will see the Guest Parking area. We will also show you the on site accommodations. There are a few special places that might be used for “Golden Hour” photography after your wedding ceremony! You will get to see those prime locations, too.
There is a storage building here that gives us plenty of venue-related storage space. One of the areas is full of wedding decor. You’ll get to see that as well. We will give you time to see our wedding decor such as signs, tables, easels, podiums, arbors- the list goes on and on. If you book your wedding at Murphy Lane you don’t need to buy decor items. We probably already have it!
Discuss Wedding Packages
When you tour an Atlanta wedding venue you should have an opportunity to discuss wedding packages after seeing the venue property. What are the options for booking the venue? Exactly what is included and what is the price? Wedding venues in the Atlanta area have many different ways to set pricing. Make sure you get a clear understanding of any additional fees or charges. At Murphy Lane we will give you a handout showing our wedding packages and what they include. We are completely transparent when we discuss pricing. We strive to be very clear about what the prices include and what is not included. This is also a good time to find out what it takes to “hold the date” you want.
At Murphy Lane you have an option to book the venue only for your wedding day or to book an “All-Inclusive Package”, or “A.I. Package”. We will go over each option thoroughly so you can decide what is best for you.
What is the Bottom Line?
Of course, discussing money is an important part of knowing how to tour an Atlanta wedding venue. When you are making a decision about a wedding venue in the Atlanta area it is important to figure out the “bottom line” price of the venues you think are a fit for you. To make a valid comparison you must find a way to compare “apples to apples.” You must thoroughly understand exactly what the full, complete price is. To get to the “bottom line” price you need to have everything related to the venue cost on a list and the associated price of each thing. Add these up to get the “bottom line.”
Some venues, like Murphy Lane, give you one price that includes everything listed in The Wedding Package, a printed handout we give you. Our price includes all costs, fees and taxes for the venue. We list the handful of items that are not included (i.e. the Airbnb accommodations available here on the Murphy Lane property). There are no “hidden fees”. Other wedding venues have a scattered list of prices associated with their venue. Rental fees for tables and chairs, additional fees for decor or taxes might be added to the “published prices”. There may be minimum amounts you are required to spend on wedding florals or “in house” catering. Be sure to get to the “bottom line” so you can accurately compare your wedding venue finalists!
There are numerous wedding venues in the Atlanta area. Almost every venue presents prices differently. It can be overwhelming. It might be necessary to reach out to the venue owners even after you have toured with them to clarify pricing. Wedding venue owners should be clear and transparent about pricing. No one wants a surprise when it comes to prices!
Incentives to Book?
This is a good time to ask about any “specials” or “deals” going on that might be available for you. You might get a little extra love if you are in the military or are a veteran, if you are a teacher or a first-responder. Also, wedding venues might run a discounted offer to fill up open dates. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
Establish a “Follow Up” Plan
As you wrap up your wedding venue tour it is a good idea to discuss how to stay in touch. Make sure you have the email addresses and phone numbers you need. You should never feel pushed or coerced into making an immediate decision. Having a “follow up” plan helps you know how to reach out with further questions or what it takes to book the venue.
The Next Step
Atlanta area wedding venues sometimes book up to 2 years out! Many bookings occur 12-18 months in advance of a wedding date. If you want to be sure you get the date you want at the venue you want you should ask what it takes to save the date you would like. Most wedding venues require a deposit. Until you make an investment in the venue indicating your intentions it is difficult for the venue to justify keeping that date open if another potential client comes along.
Knowing how to tour an Atlanta wedding venue will help you make the best use of your time and energy. Having a plan in place will allow you to stay organized as you visit different venues. It will also prevent an overwhelming, disjointed pile of information clogging your mind! As wedding venue owners we see that the easiest way to relieve “overwhelming” and “disjointed” is to ask questions. We are happy to talk, text or email even after your venue tour and help give you peace of mind!
If you are interested in seeing what The Venue at Murphy Lane in Newnan, GA has to offer please reach us at https://thevenueatmurphylane.com/contact to get the ball rolling!
Support Local
Thanks so much for stopping by our blog! We hope you found this information helpful. We’re passionate about using our blog to shine a light on locally owned businesses and wedding venues across the USA. Locally owned wedding venues often bring a higher level of expertise, service, and dedication to your big day. Plus, with less staff turnover than corporate or investor-owned venues, they’re able to provide a more personal touch. As you plan your wedding, we’d love for you to consider a locally owned venue like ours!
Check out Wedding Venue Owners to discover amazing locally owned venues.
And a big shout out to all the incredible locally owned wedding venues out there!
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