An event’s success depends on several things, some of which can be fixed. On the event day, you never know which attendees will have an emergency or if the band will be late. What you can know in advance is the venue. You can pick it early on, and it’s a good thing to do since it will be a major part of your budget.
The location matters, and the fact that you’re organizing an event in Minneapolis will determine more than just the cost of the venue. Different states and cities have different average costs, and the industry aligns according to this.
Still, how do you pick the venue? Sure, cost is a massive factor, but what else? Here are the top five things to look out for when picking the best place for your special event in Minneapolis.
1. The time of the year
Whenever you’re faced with organizing an event, one of the first questions that pops into your mind is whether it is outdoor or indoor. In Minnesota, this question is even trickier to answer since this is a region renowned for its cold climate, even though, during warmer months, the weather outdoors can be particularly pleasant.
While many people know Minnesota for its cold winters, late spring to early fall are fine for any outdoor event.
The most important thing to understand is that the weather in Minneapolis can be unpredictable. Therefore, while hosting an event outdoors on paper is possible, you shouldn’t put all your hopes here. Remember that an indoor event (even during summer or late spring) is always safer.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the event you have in mind. Some venues have indoor and outdoor sections to get the best of both worlds. Still, it’s never that simple.
2. Capacity and layout
On average, Minneapolis is nowhere near as expensive as NYC or San Francisco, meaning you could make a comparatively larger event on a smaller budget. Sure, the cost of the venue varies based on the location, and you won’t pay the same for a place in more expensive areas like North Loop as you would someplace else.
The reason why we’re talking about this is because the capacity of the venue will be the biggest factor when it comes to its cost.
Sure, some venues charge by the chair, but sometimes, you won’t have an alternative but to hire an entire venue. In that scenario, you’re facing a take-all situation where you just have to pay the full price, regardless of how many people you want to have over.
So, you first need to make a list and consider the number of people you have over. Then, you must see the arrangements you can make with the venue. Can you rent out just a part of the venue? Do they charge per chair? Do they insist that you rent out an entire venue?
3. Amenities and services
When looking for event centers in Minneapolis, you need to look past what’s on the site. Sure, the size of the venue, the cost, and everything else are important, but what about the amenities?
Does the place have a parking lot? This may seem simple, but will you have to shuttle-pick your guests and have them find parking, or has this issue already settled?
Then, what about the kitchen? Will you have to find an external catering company, or can you just negotiate the menu with the venue staff? The latter can simplify things and even ensure the food is fresher (and warmer) during the event. It also takes one more organizational thing off the list.
What’s the technology like? The audio/visual capabilities are a huge requirement for a modern wedding. How about Wi-Fi? What kind of experience will your guests have if they can’t upload their photos directly to Instagram? This is not a question that you want answered. Tech matters, and you can’t expect people to use their own earbuds just because your sound system is abysmal or the band’s equipment is so bad.
Previously, we’ve discussed the layout; it would also be an amenity. Tucked-away spaces and a massive dance floor are reason enough to pick one space over the next.
4. Location and accessibility
When planning a wedding, chances are that you’re looking for a place in a convenient location. What does “convenient” even mean? Well, it can mean many things. First of all, you need a place that’s easily accessible. This means a place connected to the public transportation grid or with its own parking.
Remember that, during most such events, people consume alcohol, which means that transportation is a huge issue. Picking a designated driver is incredibly important, but you need a solution that applies to your average guest (lowest denominator).
Regarding accessibility of public transportation, Downtown Minneapolis, Uptown, and North Loop are top locations. However, venues here will be far more expensive and much more in demand. This means you must set aside a heftier budget and schedule further in advance.
5. Reputation
The best you can do is ask around. If you visit a venue’s site, the photos you’ll see are professionally chosen and edited. Even if the venue is good, they will show you only the best sides. So, you need to stop looking at what the venue wants to show you and ask the people who had the event there.
People around Minneapolis know the reputation of any place, and they’ll either confirm or deny it via comments and rating sections.
Overall, you can learn a lot from reviews. Sure, they’re not enough to make your decision based on them, but they can sway you one way or another. You can develop a general sense of whether the place is what it claims it is in the bio. It’s a really big part of your research and something you should never look down on.
Wrap up
The last thing you need to bear in mind is the fact that it’s all subjective. Ultimately, it will come down to your personal preference, and this is a topic that no guide can help you with. Still, the above-listed five tips are worth at least considering.
