There are many brides out there who have been dreaming about their wedding since they were little. From the flowers to the perfect dress, every single detail has been thought through carefully for years. One of the most important aspects of creating that picture-perfect wedding is the venue. However, this is also one of the hardest decisions to make, as it impacts every other decision.
How can a couple choose the best wedding venue for their dream wedding? Not to worry, the dedicated wedding planning team at Lone Star Mansion has created this guide to help you choose the perfect Texas venue. Here is what you need to know:
Choose Venue Locations That Align With Your Vision
If your dream wedding takes place outside, you don’t want to be wasting your time looking at indoor venues such as a church sanctuary. While this may seem like a pretty straightforward tip, it is important to keep in mind, especially during the initial touring phase. Whoever you bring along with you will have an opinion about the venue itself and sometimes those opinions can sway brides to make a decision they don’t want. This can be especially true if your mother or mother-in-law has been dreaming of a church wedding for you instead of a gorgeous outdoor wedding in a luscious grassy field.
Another consideration is what your theme or idea for your wedding is. If you are looking for a more artistically modern wedding, maybe an art gallery would work best for you. If you want a more rustic look, then perhaps a barn wedding. If you are looking for Southern charm and dramatic flare, the Lone Star Mansion could be the perfect wedding venue! It all depends on what your theme and feel is. You want your wedding to feel connected and flowing, instead of a venue that seems counterintuitive to your wants and ideas.
Know How Many People You Are Going to Invite to Your Wedding
Knowing how many people you are planning to invite to your wedding is extremely important when you decide on a venue. Choosing a wedding venue that is too small for your guest list can lead to a lot of headaches and heartaches down the road, especially if more people tell you they are coming than you originally thought.
Another part to consider is that most couples underestimate how many people they will want to invite. On top of that, the parents of the bride and groom may have some ideas of their own on the people they want to include as well. Make sure you have the guest list conversation early in the planning process so you know what you are working with. This will also give you a better idea of how much your budget will be broken down per number of guests.
How Many People Can the Lone Star Mansion Accommodate?
Depending on the location of where you want to get married on the Lone Star Mansion’s gorgeous 20-acre property, the number of guests that our site can accommodate will change. Here is an overview of two of our different locations and the number of guests they can hold:
- The Ballroom Ceremony and Reception Site can accommodate up to 300 guests for the wedding ceremony and 125 for the reception.
- The Carriage House Reception Site can accommodate up to 300 guests.
For our other locations onsite, make sure to ask our caring staff!
Don’t Forget About Your Budget
Cost is extremely important when planning a wedding, and the venue’s rental cost is not the only thing you need to consider. It is also important to consider the different vendors that are in the area and their costs. Some venues, such as the Lone Star Mansion, will include in-house catering in their final price, which can help you save on additional costs.
Remember that decor and floral designs will also impact the cost of your special day, so considering the vendors in the area and their prices as equally important. Ask the wedding venue tour guide whether or not they are partnered with local vendors to see if they can help cut down costs through special deals they may have. This may be able to save your budget while giving you the wedding you have always dreamed of.
Think About What Is Included in the Cost
Some venues, such as the Lone Star Mansion, are considered full-service, providing things such as in-house catering, tables, chairs, and linens. Other venues only offer beautiful sites, leading the bride and groom having to plan vendors to bring in everything else they will need. While a full-service venue may cost more upfront, couples usually save money in the end when everything is broken down.
Always compare the estimates you get from rental companies for non-full-service venues against the overall cost of the full-service venues to get an idea of how the budget compares. This will help you make a better decision about what works best for your ideas.
If the Venue Offers Food and Beverage, Don’t Forget to Add in Tax and Gratuity
In the State of Texas, the sales tax is 6.25 percent to 8.25 percent depending on the district and whether the area you are getting married in has an additional sales tax rate. It is recommended to add at least 30% to your food and beverage minimum to account for tax. Another 20 percent should be added on for gratuity. This means that if you have a food and beverage budget minimum of $5,000, it will go up to $7,500.
What Is Included in the Cost for the Lone Star Mansion?
Depending on what package you decide to go with, the following could be included:
- Exclusive rental of the mansion and property, with up to 3 event sites of your choice
- Up to 5 ½ hours of event time for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception
- 1 hour dress rehearsal time prior to your wedding day
- Salon and dressing rooms for you and your bridal party
- Exclusive groom’s area complete with wet bar, big screen, TV, pool table, poker room, and saunas
- White garden chairs for outdoor events
- Gold Chiavari chairs for indoor events
- 60” round guest tables
- 4’,6’, and 8’ service tables
- White table linens and napkins, chargers, plates, flatware, and glasses included with catering
- Day-of lunch for the wedding party for up to 20 people
- Floor plan set-up, breakdown, and clean-up
- On-site venue manager
- Cake cutting services
- Uniformed sheriff’s deputy for security if alcohol is being served
- Golf cart valet services for day-of, on-property transportation
- Up to 2 hours of the mansion and grounds usage for a bridal portrait shoot
- Banquet up to 200 people
- Cake up to 200 guests
- Floral ceremony and aisle
- DJ and uplighting
- Fruit display for cocktail hour
- Servers
Consider the Guests’ Experience When Choosing Your Site
If you are having a destination wedding or you have a lot of guests coming in from out of town, it is important to remember to ensure that the venue you use is either connected to a hotel or near one. Brides and grooms should also consider the transportation for guests from the hotel to the venue site and whether there are car rental services around for those who may need one. Oftentimes, hotels near wedding venues will offer special discounts for couples who book floors of rooms in advance and then give their guests the information needed to book those specific rooms.
Another consideration is the maximum capacity of the room that the venue is being held in. While a venue may boast a large number, this doesn’t necessarily mean the room will fit that many people comfortably. Outside venues are easier to accommodate larger amounts of people than an inside space. Also, make sure you are following the building’s fire code.
What Hotels Are Near Lone Star Mansion?
- DoubleTree by Hilton in Fort Worth, Texas
- Homewood Suites By Hilton in Fort Worth, Texas
- Fairfield Inn & Suites in Fort Worth, Texas
- Home 2 Suites by Hilton in Burleson, Texas
What Airport Is Near Burleson, Texas?
Best Advice the Lone Star Mansion Can Give? Be True To Yourselves
While Pinterest boards are full of exceptional photos of gorgeous weddings, it is important to remember the two of you as a couple first. What is authentic to you? Once you have that answer, the space, design, and theme for your wedding will fall into place and will be the perfect representation of what you and your future spouse mean to each other.
The Lone Star Mansion can help you achieve your picture-perfect wedding. Our stunning grounds and immaculate mansion are sure to be crowd-pleasers and leave a lasting impression on you and your guests. Our staff is proud of our grounds and works hard to ensure that every wedding goes off without a hitch. Contact our team today for more information on our services or to schedule a tour!
