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Here's a number worth knowing: venue + catering is the biggest chunk of a wedding budget — often around 50–60% of the total (see Wedding Budget Breakdown). Get it wrong and you either overspend or overcrowd on the day. So here are the venue types, what to check before booking, and how to size the space to your guest count.
Before you go viewing venues, have two things in hand:
Golden rule: don't book a venue before locking the date. If the date changes and your booked date isn't free, you may have to postpone or lose the deposit.
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel / ballroom | Formal events, many guests, full service | Usually a minimum spend, plus service charge + tax |
| Banquet hall / Chinese restaurant | Thai-Chinese weddings, banquet focus, per-table budgeting | Theme/décor may be limited |
| Garden / outdoor / resort | Beautiful, great photos, relaxed vibe | Weather/rain risk — needs a backup plan |
| Home / private property | Morning ceremony, warm, saves rental | You rent equipment, kitchen, restrooms, parking |
| Restaurant / café | Small, intimate, tight budget | Limited capacity |
For a Chinese banquet, figure roughly ~10 seats per table, then add space for stage, aisles and the gift table.
Because the venue ties directly to guest count and budget, Wedly keeps both in view together — store guests with RSVP status so you know real turnout, calculate table numbers instantly, and log the venue's deposit/balance in your budget. See exactly how much the venue takes of your budget before you sign.
Choose a venue by starting from a locked date + a guest estimate, then match the venue type to your style and budget. Read every line of the quote (especially the minimum and service charge), and pick a room that fits — a little bigger than your real number but not empty. That's how you get a venue that stays on budget and holds your guests comfortably.
Book about 8 to 12 months out, especially in high season and on auspicious dates that get snapped up. Lock your date or window before viewing venues, since the date you want may already be taken.
Mainly catering per table or per head, a venue fee or minimum spend, a deposit, and possibly corkage, service charge, tax and extra equipment rental. Ask for an itemised quote covering every line.
For a Chinese banquet, figure about 10 seats per table, then add space for the stage, aisles and gift table. Pick a room that holds a little more than your actual guests so it isn't cramped, but not so big it feels empty.
Weather and rain are the main risks — have a tent or indoor backup. Plan for evening light, mosquitoes, power and sound, and enough restrooms. Outdoor is beautiful but needs more preparation than a ballroom.
Ready to start planning your wedding?