TES12DAYSOFCHRISTMAS

Once a date has been set for your wedding, the next step to take is securing the venue, but what do you need to consider when selecting a venue? To kick off our 12-Days Series, we have the amazing Chioma Okoroafor (@sandraokoroafor) of @the_eventistry to share a few tips on the subject matter; VENUES Picking the right venue for your event is the number one thing /item for a wonderful experience. It sets the pace, feel, mode and entails understanding the aesthetic of each individual event. If you choose an unsuitable venue, you give everyone (guests and vendors alike) an uneventful and stressful event. When picking a event venue, the following must be considered to enable your guests have an unforgettable and beautiful experience. PROXIMITY: Getting an event venue that is accessible to both families involved is very important. The location of the church / mosque must be considered also.... Eg. If you stay on the mainland, it is advisable to pick / choose a hall on the mainland due to time constraint. GUEST SIZE: The amount of guests expected must be considered.... Eg. When expecting a guest size of 500 (printed 500 invites), kindly get a space that seats 700 - 800 guests comfortably. You do not want your guests standing and hitting each other. Trust me, it is really embarrassing. There should be enough space for both guests and vendors to move quickly. CLEANLINESS: The venue must be one who prides itself on cleanliness. Doing a venue recce physically when sourcing is very important. Due to the internet age, cameras can be used to hide a lot of things. If you are not in the country, I strongly advise you send a relative or a friend to check the proposed venue. You don't want your guests calling days later to complain about getting an infection after your event. The hall must have enough cleaners to cater for the amount of guests. TIMELINESS: A Venue that understand the concept of time and sticking to it. This has to do with the venue delivering a clean hall to the planner/client after the decorator is done. SECURITY: Security consciousness and quick emergency response must be checked. From fire extinguisher to police officer, bouncers, parking attendant as well as a mini first aid box must be available for inspection by the client. FACILITY LOCATION / PARKING SPACE: Most halls are not strategically located and this affects parking space for guests. A hall that seats 500 guests should at least have a parking space within the compound that can take 150 cars and above. This is to ensure safety of the guests cars. Also, movement of cars within the environs of the hall will be affected when there is too much overflow of cars which leads to congestion and traffic. SERENITY: When considering a venue, the serenity of the location is paramount especially when it has to do with high end guests. The ambience of an area can also affect the type of event you want to have. NOISE POLLUTION: The state government over the last few years have come down heavily on event centres that have been deemed noisy. So, please endeavour to confirm from the hall if they are having any issues in terms of noise pollution and what they have put in place to mitigate it. Most centres have been compelled to have sound proof. Kindly confirm before you proceed. SPECIFIED EVENTS: Get a venue that can work with your specific event. For instance, some halls do not have the structure and aesthetic for concerts or brand activation, while some are great for birthdays and weddings. BUDGET: This is tricky because sometimes what you want is way off your budget. But I tell clients if you really want to use a venue, go for it as long as everyone is on board. The money always shows up. Above all, get a hall that has a relatable staff strength who understands that a service paid for must be delivered. Okoroafor Chioma Manager, The Eventistry Lekki.