Photography: KT Merry

Deciding where to get married should be one of the first things to cross off from your wedding to-do list. Once you've booked a wedding venue, you can start looking for other essential wedding vendors such as your caterer and decorator. But how do you even decide on a wedding venue in the first place? What makes a good wedding venue?

We understand that everyone has their own dream wedding venue. For some couples, it can be as simple as the backyard of their childhood home, but for others, it may be as grand as the Plaza. Wherever it is, your venue should suit the kind of dream wedding you want to have. Go through the list we've prepared below to get an idea of what your wedding venue should be like.

Things to consider when choosing a venue

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Types of wedding venues

Hotel ballroom

Credit: Fairmont Jakarta

Tying the knot in a hotel or resort has long been a popular choice for couples across the globe. After all, it's convenient for both you and your guests!

Pros:

1.Ballroom weddings are a foolproof choice, as most hotels offer all-inclusive packages that include catering, entertainment, rentals, decoration, and of course, accommodation.

2.Hotel packages include rooms for the bride and groom, and also the family. There's no need to worry about waking up early on the big day or coming home late if you're planning an after-party at the hotel.

3.Bigger hotels have plenty of parking space, a big plus if your guests will be driving. You can also book rooms for guests coming from out-of-town at a discounted rate.

Cons:

1.Ballroom weddings can be really expensive, depending on the hotel. Naturally, the bigger and more prestigious the hotel, the pricier it will be to get married there.

2.If the hotel has more than one ballroom, there might be more than one wedding held there at the same time. Make sure to ask your hotel about how they handle multiple weddings.

3.Hotel weddings can be a bit boring as wedding packages offer the same things. You will need to book extra vendors, that come with a high price, to add a personal touch.

Function hall/banquet hall

Credit: Thamrin Nine Ballroom

This could be a conference hall in an office building, a multi-functional event space, or a government-owned building. Function halls are so versatile, it's no wonder that most Indonesian couples choose to get married in one.

Pros:

1.Most function halls partner up with other wedding vendors to offer all-inclusive wedding packages that can be much cheaper than those offered by hotels.

2.Function halls are large enough to fit even thousands of guests without costing a fortune. You also don't need to worry about the weather as everything is held indoors.

3.If you have a particular wedding theme and the budget to make it come true, a function hall is like a blank canvas that you can decorate to your heart's content.

Cons:

1.The standard decoration, if there is any, tends to be a bit bland and boring. If you choose a function hall, you'll need to put in more effort and funds to decorate the whole.

2.As function halls are very popular for weddings, exhibitions, and all sorts of events, you'll need to book at least six months or even a year before the big day.

3.There is no built-in accommodation, so you and your guests coming from out of town will have to brave the traffic to reach your venue.

Outdoor/garden

Credit: Mahagiri Villas Sanur Bali

An outdoor wedding can take place anywhere you like, such as a garden, public park, or vineyard. Unlike ballroom weddings that can have a stiff or formal ambiance, outdoor weddings are more chic and relaxed yet no less beautiful.

Pros:

1.You will be surrounded by picturesque trees, plants, and beautiful flowers, so you don't need to spend too much on decoration and wedding flowers.

2.Outdoor wedding spaces are often large, and your guests will breathe easier and more comfortably as your wedding will be held out in the open.

3.Some venues have both a vast outdoor space and a smaller indoor area that can be a lifesaver in case of a heavy downpour.

Cons:

1.You have limited months to choose from as you need to carefully consider the season. Outdoor winter weddings aren't comfortable, while vineyard weddings held in the spring will not look beautiful as all the vines will be brown.

2.Aside from the season, you'll have to deal with problems caused by unpredictable weather such as the rain, wind, and drastic changes in temperature.

3.Outdoor wedding spaces are high in demand as there just aren't enough of them available, so you can miss out if you don't book fast enough.

Beach/destination

Credit: W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak

Destination weddings are getting more and more popular lately, and it's easy to see why. Your wedding will be so exciting and also double up as a short getaway for your guests.

Pros:

1.There is no greater decoration for your wedding than the natural scenery of a beach or ocean that you just can't get anywhere else.

2.This is a chance to invite only your dearest friends and family. With such a small guest list, your wedding will be much easier to manage and even end up being cheaper than you expected.

3.You will have plenty of quality time with your loved ones, as you can arrange intimate dinners and day trips before or after the big day.

Cons:

1.Some of your guests might not come due to expensive costs, their busy work schedule, or the children they can't leave behind. To make things easier, you might need to consider a child-free wedding.

2.You'll have to prepare detailed information or welcome kits to keep all your guests entertained, especially if your wedding is held somewhere exotic and out-of-the-way.

3.All of your wedding planning will be long distance, and dealing with language barriers or local regulations like marriage license might add a lot of extra stress.

Restaurant

Credit: Cassis Kitchen

This is the best place for intimate indoor nuptials like this one, ideally with no more than 100 guests. If you're looking for a small reception space, you should definitely consider this option.

Pros:

1.You don't need to worry about catering, as restaurants already have high quality food, cutleries, and professional wait staff standing by.

2.Many restaurants are already nicely decorated with a certain theme. If you want to add any extra decorations, you only need to focus on the table settings and a few centerpieces.

3.Restaurants are perfect for intimate weddings, as they have a cozy and somewhat homey ambiance without requiring all the extra efforts of throwing a wedding at home.

Cons

1.Restaurants have limited space, usually only up to 150 guests. Full privacy is only available if you do a buyout of the whole restaurant, which might not be as cheap as you think.

2.Restaurants are only suitable for seated dinner receptions, as there is not enough space for a wedding ceremony or a dance floor.

3.There are no rooms available for preparation, so you have to dress up and have your make up done before you head to the restaurant.

Home

Credit: Rumah Imam Bonjol

If you have enough space in your house or lawn, there's no place like home to get married in. If you want the cozy atmosphere without the hassle, don't worry. These days, there are many beautiful private homes that can be rented for special occasions.

Pros:

1.Your home is, hands down, the most flexible wedding venue to rent in terms of availability. No need to worry about low or high seasons!

2.Wedding venues usually take the biggest chunk of your wedding budget. By getting married at home, you'll save a significant amount of money.

3.Your beloved home holds all your precious memories, and is the perfect setting for an intimate wedding with your dearest friends and family.

Cons

1.You'll need to rent tons of things that you don't have, from tents to cutleries. As a results, you have to allocate a lot more money to your wedding rental budget.

2.Permits might be needed from your neighborhood, as you might disturb your surroundings with loud noise and take parking space from your neighbors.

3.There will be a huge mess left over after the wedding. Unless you want to spend your newlywed life to clean up everything, you'll have to hire a professional cleaner.

10 unique wedding venues

If the venues we've listed above leave you cold and you're looking for something out-of-the-ordinary, there's no need to worry! The sky, or maybe your wedding budget, is the limit when it comes to your dream wedding venue. We've collected 10 unique and completely unexpected places where real couples have actually tied the knot.

Fairmont Jakarta

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