There are so many factors to consider when choosing a wedding venue. What time of year are you hoping to get married? What will the weather be like? What decorating style are you drawn to? How many guests are you planning on? The list goes on and on. It may feel overwhelming, but I promise it is worth it to find the venue that is right for you and your dream day. I’ve compiled the most important things to consider about wedding location (from the point of view of a wedding photographer). If wedding photos are important to you, this is the list that you are looking for.

Your wedding location can make or break your photos. The truth of it is that I cannot create something that isn’t there. If you do not choose a location that has what you want in your photos, there is very little that I can do to change that. My best advice for you is to start by looking at wedding portfolios. Look at portraits from all different kinds of weddings and see which photos you are drawn to. You can search for wedding photos on social media or think back to a wedding that you personally attended. Which backgrounds take your breath away? And, honestly, there is no right or wrong answer. What may be uninteresting to one couple could completely inspire another. 

If you are attracted to outdoor wedding photos, be sure to choose an outdoor location during a time of year that will allow for an outdoor wedding. This typically means summer and autumn, but you don’t have to limit yourself to these seasons. Snowy outdoor ceremonies can be absolutely stunning. But be sure that you choose a location that has an indoor area for guests to warm up before and after the ceremony. This is important for spring weddings as well. Spring is gorgeous, but it also runs the risk of rain. As long as your venue has a place for everyone to escape any unexpected weather, you should be good to go. 

If light and bright portraits are calling your name, you should choose an indoor location with white walls and ceilings. This will allow your photographer to create the kind of photos that you are looking for throughout the day. There are some venues with darker walls and ceilings. This is great for a dark and moody vibe, but keep in mind that most of your photos will need to include flash. A black ceiling is not ideal for photographers to work with. 

When planning for certain wedding photos, the timeline is just as important as the location. If you are dreaming of beautiful sunset portraits with your new spouse, you need to be sure to plan your ceremony and reception in a way that will allow you to sneak away during the hour of sunset. Luckily, this is something that your wedding photographer will be able to help you with. They will build an itinerary to ensure that you get all of the photos you were hoping for. 

The photos featured in this post were taken at a wedding at Camp Aramoni in Tonica, Illinois. It is an old brickyard that has been transformed into the most beautiful venue or glamping location. Their private chef creates the most delicious food, and they offer several options for outdoor ceremonies. If you take the time to do your research, I promise you will find a wedding location that fits all of your needs.