Choosing a San Diego event venue takes a great deal of consideration. The planning process may seem overwhelming at first, from budget and number of guests to location and experience level. However, with this easy-to-follow guide from our award-winning event planning team at Harbor View Loft, we’ll share a few secrets. These steps will help make choosing a venue as stress-free as possible. Follow our quick step-by-step guide below to find and secure the perfect venue for your next event.
Create Your Budget
When choosing an event venue, the first step, and arguably most important, is to create a budget. It’s crucial to know how much money you can spend on your venue. It’s also important to consider how much money you are saving to put towards other event necessities. Once you have a budget, you can narrow down your list of venues. Most importantly, make sure that you choose a venue that falls well within your budget. This way, you’ll avoid overspending and experience much less stress further down the road.
Articulate the Event Purpose
Before visiting any venue options, make sure that you know the purpose of your event. Are you looking for a large space to hold a wedding or a private party? Or are you looking for a quiet area to host a small corporate networking event? Many venues only appeal to one type of event, so you must do research beforehand. However, some full-service venues like Harbor View Loft have large and small spaces, making them perfect for any event.
Have an Approximate Date When Choosing An Event Venue
Along with drafting up a budget and knowing your event’s purpose, it’s important to have a date in mind. Of course, it’s not necessary to know the exact date. In reality, having a span of a few weeks in mind gives you greater flexibility. This is perfect for smaller events, as you don’t need to book them as far in advance. However, for large events like weddings, you’ll want to book your venue months in advance. This is especially important during peak seasons, like spring and summer.
Figure Out the Number of Guests
In regards to the number of guests, approximations are fine when initially visiting venues. At the same time, having a solid guest estimate will make choosing a venue that much easier. This becomes especially important if you’re looking for a space to hold large events. For example, some venues have guest capacitates.
Know Your Preferred Event Venue Location
When choosing a venue, location becomes a key component. Are you looking for a location with access to overnight accommodations and transportation for your guests? Do you want your venue to have panoramic city views? As a premier San Diego venue located on the stunning Harbor Island, our location offers convenience and beauty. This is emphasized by our unique 360-degree view of San Diego’s Harbor, Coronado Bridge, Marina, and City Lights.
Prepare a List of Questions For Your Event Venue
When visiting possible event venues, it’s beneficial to come prepared with a list of questions. Try to write down your questions beforehand so that you can have everything answered in person. Of course, you can always call the venue later with questions. However, if your question concerns the physical event space, it will be more helpful to answer your question in person.
If you’re visiting a few different places, don’t forget to write down the answers to your questions for each venue. It’s easy to confuse venues and forget each one’s induvial accommodations. Use your notes to compare the different venues that you visit. This will ultimately help you choose the best one for your individual needs.
Hire an Experienced Company
When selecting a venue, it’s important to choose a well-respected company with years of experience. At Harbor View Loft, our award-winning event team has over 30 years of experience in the industry. For any event, we’re always excited to lend our expertise. To find experienced, respected companies, you may want to check online reviews. This way, you can read about other people’s experiences with the company and determine if the venue will satisfy your needs.
Have Fun
The last step in choosing the perfect event venue is to have fun! Don’t let the stress of planning overwhelm you. Instead, have fun with the process and stay organized. If you follow the steps laid out above, choosing your event venue is sure to run smoothly. This will ultimately set up your event for success.