Finding your venue is such an important and fun aspect of wedding planning! The site of your ceremony and reception sets the overall tone of the reception and the overall tone of your budget. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable venue options to be had! Here are some quick tips for finding that affordable venue that is perfectly you:

1. Go for the off-seasons. If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times, wedding venues (and many vendors for that matter) will offer high discounts during the wedding off seasons.
2. Opt for a different day of the week: Saturday is the most popular and the most expensive day to host an event. Any other day of the week should be cheaper- even switching to Sunday can give you a significant discount! 
3. Consider the package. Like all things wedding, make sure your venue package meets your needs. Need coffee and tea service but don’t want a soup and salad? Want too add an extra hour on your package but nix the bridal champagne toast? Talk to the event manager at your venue to work out the best package to meet your needs and your budget.  
4. Think about the décor- venues like gardens, parks, wineries, etc. often already have so much natural beauty that they require less decorations, meaning you will save money on flowers and décor.
5.  Negotiate. Most venues are willing to work with you and discuss options to suit your needs, and even if they are not willing to budge on a certain point, it is worth asking. You’ll know you tried, and that will help you make your final decisions.
6. Look for those hidden fees. Knowing all of the fees upfront will help you to make your final venue selection, and will give you comparable prices when you add everything in. 
7. Make sure to price everything out. Before making your final selection, be sure to write down all associate costs with each venue so you know what each will cost realistically. Include all room, rental fees, any extra charges, food and drink costs, gratuity, and any rental costs. This will give you accurate price comparisons, and may surprise you!
8. Expand your search to more non-traditional venue options. While hotels, conference centers, gardens and inns can certainly have affordable options, consider thinking outside the box when looking at places to have your ceremony or reception. These different locations may be more budget-friendly. 
9. Get out of town? Look at venues in neighboring areas. Depending on where you live, going  just 30 minutes out of town may have a big impact on the prices of venues!
   
10. Above all- don't panic! It may require a little creativity and a few compromises on your part, but can definitely find a fabulous venue on a budget.
    

Want more tips? Read the full article here.