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The Complete Wedding Venue Rental Guide

Imagine an intimate wedding ceremony by the beach or all your guests gathered in a rugged barn for your special day. With endless exceptional venues, Giggster can make your wedding dreams a reality. Whatever theme or ambiance you're going for on your special day, we'll help you find the perfect backdrop among our curated collection of locations.

We'll give you easy access to stunning wedding venues such as magical garden locations, rooftops with unforgettable views, or stylish downtown bar locations. With our user-oriented app, you can sort through all the venues according to price, amenities, and features to find the one most aligned with your vision for tying the knot. Giggster's personalized search criteria can help you find a marvelous space that showcases your personality. We'll also help you impress your guests without breaking your budget.

You can't talk about getting married without first choosing the ultimate venue. Cross one thing off your wedding planning list, knowing you have the ideal space chosen from our carefully curated list. From sprawling ranch properties to exquisite ballrooms, you can transform the space into your dream venue.

Why Choose Giggster for Your Wedding

The Giggster app is fully equipped to help you locate the best wedding venue according to your needs. Use the app to narrow down the immense number of event spaces available on our platform to the ones best suited to your preferences. See some of the following factors that can aid in the selection process.

• Make sure that your chosen venue can accommodate everyone on your guest list. There are many options available on Giggster with varying sizes, allowing you to find the one that can comfortably fit all of your friends and family. Use your creativity to decorate a West Village mansion or converted performance space into an incredible wedding venue.

• Everyone wants to be looking their best on their big day. Selecting a space that has natural light will highlight your best features—think boho and vintage, for instance.

• Browse the outdoor options available online. Green spaces are a beautiful option for your upcoming nuptials. A garden wedding featuring flowers and a refreshing spring style is a great option for your day.

• Consider the romance factor of the spaces you are exploring. You may want a more intimate setting for your special day. Remember that decorations can also transform a plain space into an exquisite ballroom.

Plan an Amazing Wedding Starting at Just $18/hour

Exceptional Variety & Quality: Each of our 14112 wedding venues currently available online has the potential to be breathtaking. Giggster has a range of spaces, from upscale hotels to stunning beachfront locations. As for reception venues, we have marvelous choices.

Hassle-Free Booking: Giggster's online platform is easy to use, making renting your dream wedding venue a breeze. With clear costs and contact information readily available, you'll find a location that is the perfect fit.

24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: The last thing a couple needs is to pay penalty fees for postponing their big day due to unforeseen circumstances. Giggster allows you to cancel your booking for free up to 24 hours after confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the wedding day.

Platform Protections: Get Giggster's optional protection packages and liability insurance at checkout to celebrate with peace of mind. A monumental property like Main Loft: Commercial | Lifestyle | Boudoir Studio Space is designed for beautiful weddings, so don't let anything get in your way of a momentous occasion.

What Kind of Venue Can I Rent for a Wedding?

There are currently 14112 beautiful wedding venues ready for you to start browsing on the Giggster app. With so many unique styles, there is something for even the most specific requirements of brides and grooms.

Hotels – Lavish Decor and Convenience. You could say "I do" in a lovely location decorated to your needs. Your out-of-town guests will also have a convenient place to stay, reducing travel time and costs. Tying the knot in a hotel will be a romantic night and a price-efficient choice.

Barns – Rustic Celebration. Dust off your cowboy boots and prepare for an event you will not forget. A barn has the perfect balance of availability indoors and outdoors, so your day will go off without a hitch, no matter the weather or circumstance.

Beaches – Sun, Surf, and Romance. Declaring your love on a beach would make for an intimate event. Imagine the salt air blowing through your hair while celebrating with the love of your life. A party by the water will wow your guests and make your wedding dreams come true.

Backyards – Love at Home. Nothing could be more personal than a wedding at a cozy home. Imagine this budget-friendly location featuring a party tent outside to shelter your friends and family while they celebrate you!

Bar/Lounges – Shake it Up with Drinks and Fun. Those with a relaxed yet sophisticated style may enjoy a bar or lounge for their wedding reception. With drink vendors often included in the location, this makes for a more cost-effective option.

Wedding Venue Must-Haves

It can be overwhelming to compare all of your choices and what is included at each venue. Take your time during your search and look into the following factors to be sure that you find the perfect wedding venue.

Is there room to accommodate all your guests? Don't forget to put together an accurate guest count. Of course, different venues have different capacities, and you want to be sure that the one you select can accommodate everyone. Events are only as much fun as the people you invite, and you want everyone you love to be present.

Are food and drink available at the venue? Not all venues have on-site food and drink providers; you might have to hire outside vendors to provide catering. Depending on what you prefer, be sure to consult with the host to see what caterers and vendors are available to accommodate your needs.

Does your location match your style as a couple? Couples each have their individual styles and expectations. While decorations can make a difference, each venue has a distinct character to consider and build upon, reflecting both of your tastes. If you are hiring a wedding planner, they'll have experience and inspiration to pass along.

How to Plan a Wedding

Weddings and the following reception can be a lot to plan for and may seem like an overwhelming task. Giggster can help you out with a few ideas to keep in mind as you start the planning process.

Select the Wedding Location – Something that may help you to save on wedding costs is hosting your reception and ceremony in the same venue. Booking separate venues is sometimes a couples' choice, but it makes more sense logistically if you celebrate both parts of the event in the same location.

Design the Menu – A key feature of any wedding is the food to be served. Consider making your wedding cake a centerpiece to save on decorations. You should also think about catering or restaurant options that are close to the venue to help save on time and funds.

Create Your Invite List – Be sure to plan your guest list with thought to ensure that everyone you love will be present. Another consideration is the number of people on your list—make sure you can afford to pay for all the expenses related to each guest. Think about the meal plan, wedding favors, and transportation if you're providing it.

Consider Both Halves of the Couple – Couples may have different ideas and preferences when it comes to their wedding. Be sure your planning process is catering to both people getting married. Work together to plan your first big event!

Wedding Expenses to Plan For

Whenever you attach the word wedding to an event, the cost inflates dramatically. This makes budgeting a challenge, especially with all the potential hidden costs. Plan with the following elements in mind to cut down on your expenses.

Where is the best location for a wedding?

There are many budget-conscious wedding venue options to choose from and you should take that into account during the planning. While city centers and popular areas may be costly, booking early and making decisions with the venue owners in a timely manner will save you money in the long run. Also, attempt to keep the reception and ceremony venues close together, if not in the same location.

What are the costs for decorations?

A big part of weddings is the decor. The costs for decor will increase with the size of the venue and according to the theme, which is an important factor to consider. If it's possible, work out the logistics of going the DIY route as opposed to hiring a professional decorator.

What are the costs associated with catering?

Be sure to account generously for the food and drinks you plan to serve your guests. The more people present, the more expensive your overall expenses will be. Will you have appetizers and cocktails or a sit-down meal? Your preferences can make a difference.

Plan Your Wedding with Giggster

Search the Giggster app now to find the best wedding venues possible; inspirational locations are in various cities nationwide. You can narrow your search and filter our listings according to capacity, pricing, and other factors. Rent the ultimate wedding venue with just a few taps on our app today!

Author: Cynthia Rebolledo

Love don't cost a thing? Behind the rise of nontraditional wedding venues

Weddings hold significant cultural and historical importance—steeped in tradition, but are those customs changing?

Wedding celebrations have evolved, with couples embracing unconventional trends that reflect their unique values and personalities, and wedding venues are no exception. According to 2023 research from The Knot, couples increasingly opt for nontraditional venues—moving away from religious establishments and banquet halls to more urban and rustic options.

To find out what's driving this shift, Giggster analyzed reports and data on weddings to find out why nontraditional wedding venues are on the rise and whether or not these venues save couples money.

Beautifully breaking with tradition

Historically, wedding venues typically included traditional locations such as churches. Religious venues hold cultural significance and are often chosen based on family or religious traditions. However, as societal norms evolve and couples prioritize creativity and self-expression, nontraditional venues have gained popularity.

The trend signifies a desire for personalization and authenticity as couples seek to create memorable experiences that reflect their styles and interests, moving away from traditional religious establishments and banquet halls.

Couples are opting for rustic barns and picturesque ranches, becoming the #1 venue choice for wedding ceremonies and the #2 pick for receptions. Historical buildings and homes are also a popular choice.

In 2023, 62% of couples hosted their ceremony outdoors, only slightly down from the 2022 post-pandemic boom, where 72% of weddings were fully or partially outdoors. The rise of nontraditional wedding venues and the return to pre-pandemic norms meant more opportunities for couples to put their unique spin on the wedding.

"Nowadays, couples look for properties that impress upon arrival. Places like historic buildings, private estates, and ranches," event planner and florist Araceli Barbosa of Victoria's Garden told Stacker in partnership with Giggster.

Instagram and Pinterest have also played a big part in how couples envision their special day. "Social media plays a big role in introducing new, out-of-the-box ideas," Barbosa said. Celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss told The Knot that social media can be a valuable tool for wedding planning. Its functionalities can aid everything from fine-tuning one's vision to using a post's location tags to discover potential vendors. About 3 out of 4 couples surveyed by The Knot followed a wedding vendor on social media while planning.

Age and change

According to industry reports, the shift toward nontraditional wedding venues began to gain momentum in the last decade, driven by various factors such as societal changes and economic considerations. The decade saw a growing number of U.S. adults identifying as religiously unaffiliated—28% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated as of 2023, according to a Pew analysis—which has resulted in less emphasis on traditional religious ceremonies and the increasing acceptance of diverse cultural and secular beliefs.

Couples are also marrying later. In 2023, the median marrying age was 30.2 for men and 28.4 for women, up from 24.6 and 21.2 in 1920, according to the Census Bureau. It's worth noting that Census data was originally collected using a binary understanding of sex and gender. It was only in 2019 that estimates for marriage rates included same-sex married couples.

Marriage later in life means couples are more likely to be financially independent and can choose to exert more of their preferences on wedding choices rather than defer to their families, who may be footing the bill on their behalf.

Additionally, the economic squeeze has made cost-efficiency a priority for many couples, leading them to explore alternative options that may be more affordable. The Knot found that about 6 out of 10 engaged couples reported the current economy impacted their wedding planning.

Newlywed Alejandrina Arellano, who had a civil ceremony at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, California, agrees. "Sadly these days you can't have a nice, large lavish wedding, along with purchasing a first home," Arellano told Stacker in partnership with Giggster. "We talked about it and realized a home is a priority for us rather than a big lavish wedding that is going to be over 50 grand—that's the down payment to a home."

True love's cost?

While nontraditional venues can offer cost savings in some cases, it ultimately depends on factors such as location, size, and amenities. While rustic venues like barns or outdoor settings may seem more affordable initially, couples may incur additional expenses for rentals, decor, and logistics, depending on what the rental agreement includes.

According to the Knot, the average couple spends $1,800 on event rentals. The University of Redlands, Marin Campus, for instance, offers two ceremony venues ranging from $650 to $3,500 depending on the space reserved. For a wedding at the newly opened Blueberry Brook Farm Resort in Deansboro, New York, the cost of hosting a ceremony starts at $5,000 during the peak season, but an all-inclusive wedding package for 200 guests costs $14,900. At Briar and Bramble in central Illinois, the cost for a wedding ceremony and reception starts at $3,500 and goes up to $4,500 for a weekend rental.

In 2023, the average wedding cost combining ceremony and reception was $35,000, a $5,000 increase from 2022. No matter the cost, the overall trend toward nontraditional venues highlights a broader cultural shift towards individualism, creativity, and experiential celebrations.

"Couples are going away from cookie-cutter weddings wanting something unique that their guests will remember for a long time after," Barbosa said. "I had a couple where the groom was a car enthusiast and chose a classic car museum as their reception venue."

Besides investigating more affordable venues, couples are also exploring alternatives to reduce spending generally. More than half of couples surveyed by The Knot said they were more selective with upgrades and add-ons, and 2 in 5 couples trimmed their guest list. In 2024, couples are continuing to make changes: 3 in 5 couples are altering their decor, and 4 in 9 are reducing their guest count by an average of 29.

"Our wedding was small but full of love," Arellano said, adding that a perk of having it at the courthouse was the 20-person limit. The cost for a wedding ceremony at the Old Orange County Courthouse is $28 and includes the use of the courthouse's wedding room and commemorative marriage certificate.

"It made not going over budget and creating the guest list easier because we had to stick to that count. And because of that, it was just the closest people to us and made the day that much more special."

Arellano's reception took place at her sister-in-law's small market and cafe (Alta Baja Market in Downtown Santa Ana)—the alternative venue made for a more intimate experience, she noted. "I saw firsthand with my older sister and friends how you're just getting pulled around all over the place with larger weddings," Arellano said. "It was nice to just enjoy our wedding and be in a smaller space."

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn.