How to Evaluate a Destination Wedding Venue from Afar

Choosing a wedding venue is hard enough as it is, so things only get trickier when your wedding isn’t on your home turf — whether it’s in a different country or just the next state over! When considering locales you can’t just pop into to look around, important details might be hard to find, so we've put together eight easy steps that'll help you size up each and every faraway space.

If you were getting married in your own city, you might check out a country club, a museum, a hotel ballroom, and a local park before even deciding which type of venue you want. With a destination wedding, that’s not really a luxury you have. Instead, determine your priorities before your search: Are you dead-set on an all-inclusive resort? Do you absolutely need to have your toes in the sand during your first kiss? Those priorities will limit your selection (in a good way!) and make your search more efficient. 

A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? Find as many photos as you can online to get a sense for what the place looks like. The venue’s website is a good place to start, but don’t forget that those photos are of the best parts and edited to look perfect. Venture to review sites like Yelp where users can post photos and search social media for pictures taken on location.

Browse wedding boards and review sites to read other couples’ honest opinions of the venue. Don’t just look at the star rating — actually read the comments to learn what the couples loved and didn’t love. If possible, reach out to these real brides and grooms with any additional questions. 

When it comes to destination weddings, a planner who knows the city like the back of his or her hand will totally save your life. Pick a planner you trust and you won’t have to worry about a less-than-ideal venue — it'll be vetted for you!

Pretty much every city has a dedicated blog or magazine just for weddings. Order the latest issue or subscribe to the blog for frequent updates. You might even find some new venue inspiration! Or, search the archives for weddings held at the spot you’ve got your eye on — this way, you’ll get a sense of what a real wedding looks like there. 

If you’re seriously torn or can’t imagine picking a venue without seeing it, plan a trip (or a few) to the destination. You’ll be much more efficient and give yourself peace of mind in the process. While you’re there, knock out as many vendor appointments as you can!