So you said yes! 🎉 You’re engaged, glowing, and ready to begin the most exciting planning adventure of your life… eekk!! With so many details ahead, the very first major decision you’ll make is choosing your wedding venue — and that choice will influence everything that follows: your date, your guest list, your vendors, your look and feel… everything.
Let’s walk through the must-know steps to finding a space that feels right for you and your partner — both in vision and in budget.
Oh, and you’ll want to keep scrolling, because we’ve got photos from the top wedding venues in Central Ohio right here for you to browse!
Your venue isn’t just a pretty backdrop — it’s the foundation for your entire day. It determines:
That’s a big impact from one decision — so let’s get it right.
Start by imagining your wedding dream:
Knowing these things early gives you direction and helps narrow the field fast.
Budget conversations aren’t always fun — but they’re crucial early on. Your venue and catering combined often take up a large portion of your budget, so:
Don't be afraid to think outside your original price range. Sometimes exploring spaces just slightly above budget helps you decide what matters most — then you adjust other areas to make room for what you love.
Once you have your vision and budget in hand:
Most couples nowadays are dreaming their wedding details before the engagement takes place. Dreaming on Pinterest boards and following vendors' Instagram accounts whose work you're drawn to isn’t wrong at all! In fact, it takes a lot of the options out of play when it’s finally time to hit the ground running with planning.
Look at venue galleries, reviews, FAQs, and what’s included in their packages. Ask questions like:
Photos are great — but nothing replaces seeing a space when it’s empty, lit naturally, and set up for real.
On your tour, pay special attention to:
Seeing a venue in different lighting (or even in less-ideal weather!) gives you a more realistic feel before you commit.
The more you ask, the fewer surprises later! But we understand it’s probably your first time ever doing this. So, some key questions to bring up:
✅ What exactly is included in the rental?
✅ Are there any restrictions on vendors? Or what are any rules that you need to know when it comes to filling in the gaps of what’s included vs. what you might need to add in.
✅ Who is your main point of contact before & on the wedding day? Ask the venue to walk you through the planning process. What can you expect when it comes to meetings, tastings etc.
✅ What happens if weather changes your outdoor plan? **In Ohio, this is an absolute MUST*
✅ Are there noise or timeline restrictions?
✅ How much setup/teardown time do vendors get? What, if any, setup / teardown are YOU responsible for?
Pro tip: Ask for a quote.
This may seem a bit forward, but it's hands-down the best way to take what you read in venue wedding packets, online information and pricing to actual dollars and cents to your wedding budget. It will help you see the full picture of venue rental, inclusions, any misc. taxes, fees or services charged as it directly compares to other venues which will help clearly define any differentiators, understand any gaps and maybe help align some important details for you to consider or make note of.
Taking notes and using the quotes to compare venues side-by-side (even with a simple spreadsheet!) makes choosing easier — and more confident.
Check out this link with all sorts of pro wedding planning tools: The Knot.
Once you’ve toured your top contenders, weighed pros & cons, and checked availability… trust your instincts.
👉 Book early — especially for popular seasons or weekends. Many vendors suggest securing your venue as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on your date.
You DO need to:
✔️ Have a budget conversation before touring or booking venues — even a general range helps guide smart decisions.
✔️ Know a rough guest count estimate (not a final list) to ensure the venue fits comfortably.
✔️ Understand your overall priorities — what matters most to you as a couple (guest experience, food, location, atmosphere).
✔️ Be open to date flexibility, especially if your dream venue may dictate the wedding date based on availability.
✔️ Have a general idea of your spending breakdown (venue, catering, florals, DJ, photographer), even if the numbers aren’t final.
✔️ Know which venue features matter most to you (indoor/outdoor options, accessibility, parking, rain plans).
You DON’T need to:
✖️ Have your exact wedding date selected if you’re open to letting venue availability guide the final choice.
✖️ Know your full dinner menu yet — menu decisions can (and often should) come later.
✖️ Have your full wedding color palette or floral design figured out.
✖️ Finalize décor details, linens, or tablescapes at this stage.
✖️ Have every vendor booked — your venue is the anchor that helps everything else fall into place.
Once your venue is secured, catering decisions tend to fall into one of three paths:
In many cases, couples choose to explore venue and catering simultaneously, which can be incredibly helpful when looking at the big picture. Together, these two line items often make up close to 50% of your overall wedding budget, and reviewing them side by side gives you a more realistic understanding of what’s possible early on.
Pro Tip: When it comes to catering (and especially at Hudson’s Edge), it’s very common for couples to reach out for an estimate, chat with our team, and even book their date before attending a tasting. Sounds crazy, right? Not necessarily.
While food is absolutely important, what often matters most early on is feeling comfortable with the budget, understanding pricing, and knowing your date is available. If all of that aligns, securing your caterer early helps lock in your spot — especially during peak wedding season. Tastings can then be something you enjoy later in the planning process, not a pressure point at the beginning.
With a robust wedding menu and over 10 years of experience, our team is well-equipped to guide you through thoughtful menu decisions that align with your vision, guest experience, and overall flow of the day — even if you haven’t tasted the chicken yet. 😉
Want a guide for when to book each vendor? Check it out here.
Your wedding venue is more than just a beautiful backdrop — it’s the canvas for your love story. With the right preparation, clear priorities, and thoughtful planning, you’ll find a space that feels just right for you and your partner.
If you want help navigating venue options, ask specific questions to industry pros, or get personalized insights — we’re always here to help!
At Hudson’s Edge Catering, we love helping couples bring their venue and vision together through thoughtful details that truly elevate the guest experience. From how tables are laid out to where menus are placed and how napkins are folded, these are conversations we have every day as we plan weddings alongside our couples.
Once your venue is secured, our team helps ensure your space not only looks beautiful, but functions seamlessly for service — allowing your guests to move, mingle, and enjoy every moment. It’s about more than great food; it’s about creating an atmosphere where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and fully immersed in your wedding day. Together, we help bring your personality and vision to life in a way that feels effortless and intentional.
Scroll to see some of our top venue partners and beautiful spaces we've had the pleasure of working with over the last several years. You can also visit our webpage Partner Venues to see our full list of venue partners with direct links to view their websites. Happy venue hunting!!
We love helping couples bring their venue and vision together through thoughtful details that truly elevate the guest experience. From how tables are laid out to where menus are placed and how napkins are folded, these are conversations we have every day as we plan weddings alongside our couples.
Once your venue is secured, our team helps ensure your space not only looks beautiful, but functions seamlessly for service — allowing your guests to move, mingle, and enjoy every moment. It’s about more than great food; it’s about creating an atmosphere where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and fully immersed in your wedding day.
Together, we help bring your personality and vision to life in a way that feels effortless and intentional.
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In support of our local community, Hudson’s Edge proudly offers a unique and satisfying dining experience in the comfort of your home with a carry-out menu of take & bake and fresh items that we open up for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays.
CURBSITE MARKETHudson’s Edge is proud to partner with more than 40 premier wedding and event venues serving Central Ohio and beyond. Explore the venues we’ve built lasting relationships with — each one a trusted space where our catering team has served unforgettable celebrations.
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