The venue is important as the vessel that holds your wedding celebration.
As such it needs to reflect your tastes, your habits and your values.
Think about these three pitfalls before you choose something that, however lovely, doesn't fit your needs.
What are the three biggies and how do you avoid this?

1. You pay too much.
   This will happen less for a while.
   This is actually the good side of the down economy.
   Back in the heyday, there was so much pressure to book a site.
   "Book a site, buy a dress, find a fiancé," was the mantra of the 90s (because of course only women cared about marriage!).
   Now, even though many people are still getting married, there isn't such a rush about booking and prices are actually down a little.
   But the frenzy around weddings tells you, "you must take this place now, or you'll never find something else.
   "Avoid this: Take the time to shop.
   Figure out whether there isn't a cheaper alternative that's just as lovely.
   Explore date changes to see if the place of your dreams is available on Fridays or Sundays when the prices are down a bit.
   If the place is right for you, your budget and your style, it's right.
   But take the time to explore your options.
   There are lots of gems available.
   Consult a guidebook or a wedding planner.
   
2. You choose a venue that doesn't make your community comfortable.
   You may have moved away from home, but the company coming to your wedding are friends from back where you came from.
   Not everyone is dying to be impressed.
   Some people want to feel comfortable with the place and the food and the entertainment.
   Avoid this: Plan your wedding around your guests.
   You love these folks; you want them to have a good time.
   Find a venue that suits them.
   That will make the wedding memories so much sweeter for everyone.
   There are too many weddings where the guests confide to the celebrant.
   "I'm really a rather simple person.
   " They're feeling uncomfortable.
   You don't want this!
3. You choose a venue that doesn't really represent who you are and what you believe.
   I'm not sure this happens because of trends, or simple availability.
   I'm afraid it happens because before people set out on the "let's look at venues" trip, they don't sit down with the what's important to us in our marriage and at our wedding conversation.
   When you miss that crucial step, unless you're really lucky, you're likely to wind up somewhere that may be very beautiful but isn't the right container for this celebration of you, your values and your incredible relationship.
   Avoid this: Do the work.
   Figure out what matters to the two of you in the sharing of your lives and in the celebration of your marriage.
   You may find you want a picnic breakfast with a furious game of croquet rather than a formal sit-down dinner.
   

Choosing the right venue allows your community to really understand the nature of this great love you have for one another because it is the perfect home for your wedding ceremony and reception.
What your community understands, they can support.
And more than anything at your marriage, what you want is your community's support and blessing! That strengthens a marriage.