Vineyards are some of the most popular wedding venues – and for a good reason. They offer natural elegance, a gorgeous backdrop, and of course, fantastic wine! If you are considering choosing a vineyard as your wedding venue, these are a few things you should keep in mind as you are making your final decision.
Do a Wine Tasting Before Settling on a Vineyard
Of course, if you are throwing a wedding at a vineyard, chances are you’ll be serving the wine they produce. This means you are going to want to make sure you actually like the wine – so schedule some tastings at potential venues to see what you think! If you have a few vineyard wedding venues in mind, this can help you narrow down your choices.
Check the Alcohol Situation
Speaking of wine, keep in mind that some wineries will only allow you to serve their wine at events – which means mixed drinks and beer is out of the question. If you are fine with sticking to wine, this makes it particularly crucial that you make sure you do like their wine. However, if you would rather offer your guests more options, you may need to decide to move on to another vineyard venue option with less strict rules. It is also important to see if a winery requires you to purchase a certain number of cases of their wine for the celebration.
Confirm Which Vendors are Allowed on Site
Some wedding venues can be strict about which vendors couples renting the space can use, so you’ll want to make sure you can bring in your preferred vendors (if you have any). If you haven’t picked out any vendors yet, scope out their list of recommended vendors to make sure they fit your needs.
Make Sure Your Caterer Has the Right Tools
Once you’ve confirmed that your vineyard venue is willing to work with your caterer of choice, make sure they have the right tools to get the job done. Many vineyards don’t have a full commercial kitchen, so the caterer may have to be a bit creative and bring in their own equipment. See what the vineyard offers, and what your caterer is able to work out with the given circumstances.
Ask About Privacy
This is particularly important for more popular wineries. Will you enjoy the entire space to yourself, or will part of the winery still be open to the public for tastings and tours? Depending on the layout of the winery, this can affect your overall wedding experience. You should see what is to be expected when you rent out the venue.
Look Into the Area Sound Rules
The county where the winery is located may have certain restrictions on when you can be playing loud music. This won’t necessarily interfere with your celebration, but it is a good idea to look into the rules in the area to make sure you are abiding by them.
Enjoy the Variety of Event Spaces
Typically, vineyards offer a variety of spaces to host both your ceremony and reception. Of course, this varies from vineyard to vineyard, but you’ll generally have at least one indoor and a few outdoor spaces – which means you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to picking out your ceremony and reception locations.
Have Fun with Food and Wine Pairings
You’ll be serving wine, so you might as well serve food that perfectly complements it! Work with your caterer to determine which meals will work best with which wines. You can include this info on the menu so that guests can decide which wine they should be drinking as they dine on the delicious food.
Take Advantage of the Landscape
Vineyards offer a stunning backdrop for a wedding – and for your photos! Besides the beautiful rows of vines, vineyards are typically located in rural areas with lots of gorgeous natural elements. Plus, lots of outdoor space means lots of natural light, which is ideal for photos. Scout the location with your photographer before the wedding to see what areas you want to capture. Once you’ve booked a venue, see if you could schedule a time to take your engagement photos on location. This will help you get a bit more familiar with the best photo locations, and get you excited for the celebration!
Keep the Terrain in Mind
Vineyards offer a more natural and sometimes rustic feel, which comes with a more natural terrain. Of course, as mentioned, the actual event spaces available will vary from vineyard to vineyard. However, if you choose a vineyard with grass or dirt patches, be sure to wear appropriate footwear – and to advise guests of the situation on your wedding website. Even if you are hosting your ceremony and reception on more stable ground, be sure to bring a pair of more comfortable walking shoes for when you are taking photos in the vines or around the property.
Be Prepared for Sun
If you are throwing a vineyard wedding, chances are you’ll be outside for at least part of the celebration. This means you’ll need to put a few precautions in place to keep you and your guests happy and comfortable. Of course, the two main elements you need are sunscreen and ample water. You may also consider offering parasols if any of your wedding is in direct sun, or at least shaded spots so that guests can get some relief.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, come to the next Georgia Bridal Show near you. You will have the chance to meet with wedding professionals from Georgia and the Southeast who can help bring your vision to life!
Georgia wedding vendors, as well as other wedding professionals across the Southeast, can contact us about opportunities for exhibition and online marketing with Georgia Bridal Show.