Planning a wedding is a daunting task and making sure you book a venue that fits your style and budget is crucial, so we turned to our local vendor experts to share their top
tips to booking your perfect venue.

““The most important consideration is knowing your budget. This will determine what direction you will choose to take such as guest list, type of venue, menu, location, etc.””

— Pamela Shelley, Director of Sales & Marketing at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

““What is included in the venue fee? Some venues may have lower rental rates, but this can result in couples having to spend more on rentals and other amenities that are not included within the venue fee. If you are on a tight budget, the cheapest venue may end up costing you more in the end!” ”

— Betsey Lupton, Owner of Pop the Bubbly Events

““A beautiful beachfront wedding can be endlessly romantic, but is it possible for your guest list? Take into consideration the accessibility of your venue when choosing your location. If you have many aging relatives or friends in attendance, you may need to reconsider a beachfront ceremony, especially if many of your guests need
assistance walking or use mobility aids.” ”

— Lauren Hunt, Marketing Coordinator at Haig Point

““Does your venue have a kitchen or any kitchen equipment available for use? From a catering perspective, a lack of kitchen space can limit your menu options or lead to equipment rental costs in order to create the desired menu. Often times, this detail goes overlooked.”
”

— Sunday Tuk, Director of Sales at Tristan Catering & Events

““Is a wedding planner required at your venue? If not, what planning services will the venue provide? At the Francis Marion Hotel, there is not a planner required — this can equal a lot of savings. Our wedding sales manager will help you with any questions, and will be on site the wedding day to see that all items come together and handle the timeline.”
”

— Gillian Crum, Wedding Sales Manager at Francis Marion Hotel