Planning a wedding is an exciting opportunity to express yourself, and you want to make sure that you have a plan of action for planning your wedding - especially with so many wonderful choices right here on Long Island for venues, caterers,flowers, favors and more. Each week, we'll bring you some tips & tricks and local recommendations that will help you to plan your perfect special day - no matter what your taste. This week's theme is picking the right venue - a basic look at slimming down the choices from the dozens of beautiful locations around Long Island.

Have a question about wedding planning? Email Jeanne, and your question may be chosen as next week's theme!

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Long Island is an amazing pace to plan your perfect wedding, no matter what your taste or budget. With New York City nearby and all of the great features available directly on the Island, you can create your dream wedding, whether your style is posh or more casual. With every wedding, the venue is one of the most important aspects of the service - it is what you and your guest will remember most about your special day. Long Island has numerous venue options for almost any type of wedding both indoor and outdoor, so it is important to keep a few ideas in mind to find the best location on the Island.

Set a Maximum Budget

Before seeking out any venue, it is vital to take time to determine the maximum spending amount for this part of the wedding. A wedding has numerous expenses, but one of the most pricy is the location of the wedding and the reception. On Long Island, it is possible to find reasonably priced locations like Mediterranean Manor Caterers or more expensive venues like Allegria Hotel Long Beach, with options in between.

Some of the most opulent wedding venues are available on Long Island, so it is important to determine the budget for the location beforehand to avoid booking a place that is too pricy. The venue is going to be one of the largest costs of your wedding, so you want to make sure you limit what you spend to what you can afford.

Determine the Type of Ceremony

Long Island has everything from pristine beach locations for a romantic outdoor wedding to castle hotels like Oheka Castle Hotel and Estate for that dream princess wedding you've always invisioned. By determining your ideal type of wedding, it is possible to narrow the venue choices to a reasonable number. With dozens of choices of mansions, banquet halls, vineyards, and outdoor locations, picking a venue theme or type can help you siginifigantly speed up the process of finding the perfect venue for your special day.

For some, the type of wedding is already established. For others, it might take a little consideration to determine whether it should be an outdoor or indoor ceremony and what type of location is best suited to the couple’s personality and preferences.

Narrow the Choices

Only after the budget is determined and the type of wedding is decided is it time to start narrowing down the venue options. The wedding location should have enough seating available for all of the guests, should not exceed the maximum budget amount and should allow the preferred type of ceremony. Some venues, such as a hotel near the beach, might offer numerous types of ceremonies for both indoor and outdoor weddings, so it is sometimes necessary to call and ask about the wedding options if the venue does not list the options on their website.

Pick out five or six potential options - keep in mind your top choice might not have your desired date available. Unless one or two options stand out above the rest to you, having several to select from helps make the venue choice easier to break down by the available services.

Call the Venue for Options

After selecting a few potential locations, it is then time to determine if the venue is available for the wedding date, what services are provided and any further details related to the location - some venues has specific rules and limits about which caterers can be used, or how late the reception can run.

Depending on the venue, the services and options available will vary. Some venues might have options for catering and the reception while others will only have the ceremony space available - make sure you get in touch with all of your potential choices and get the scoop on what's availalble so you can narrow down the choices more easily.

Having a wedding on Long Island opens many doors for different types of ceremonies, venues, and offers plentiful choices for every style taste. It will take a little time to select the best venue for you, but ultimately the result is a dream wedding.