The venue is usually one of the first big decisions a couple makes after getting engaged.

And it makes sense. The space you choose influences almost everything else the decorations, seating, food service, photos and even how your guests move through the evening.

Montreal gives couples plenty of options. You can go for something classic and elegant, choose a historic building, or look for a more modern space with a completely different feel.

If you’re still looking at Montreal spaces that could work for your wedding, try not to choose based only on photographs.

Visit Before You Decide

A venue can look completely different in person.

You might notice that the natural light is better than expected, or realise that the layout isn’t quite what you imagined. Walking through the space also makes it much easier to picture where your guests will sit, where cocktails will be served and how the evening will flow.

Don’t be afraid to ask practical questions during the visit either.

Find out what is included, when vendors can arrive, how much setup time you get and whether there are restrictions you should know about.

Most importantly, pay attention to how you feel when you’re there.

You don’t need to find a venue that looks exactly like every wedding you’ve seen online. Sometimes the right space is the one that gives you enough freedom to make the day feel like your own.

And once you’ve found that, the rest of the planning tends to become much easier.