This is the place. Or is it? Utah is blessed with hundreds of sensational venues, but how do you decide on which one is right for your big day? Cost, location and accessibility are all key factors to keep in mind.According to Alta Lodge’s Director of Sales and Marketing Rosie O’Grady, , there are five must-dos when choosing a wedding venue.

1. Determine Your Wedding Experience
“Your wedding venue should match the overall vibe of your wedding and what you hope your guests will experience. For example, if you’re looking for a mountain setting without a lot of distractions, so you’re able to focus on spending quality time with your guests, a venue like Alta Lodge might be the right choice for you,” O’Grady says.

2. Create a Checklist for Research and Planning
Planning a wedding on your own is fun and exciting, but there’s so much information out there to sort through that it can become overwhelming at times if you’re not organized. O’Grady recommends creating a checklist or spreadsheet to help you keep track of various tasks and information. She also recommends that if your venue has an event planner, that you ask them to keep a checklist that you can glance at throughout the planning process.

 
3. Ask What All-Inclusive Means

Oftentimes, venues claim that they’re are all-inclusive, meaning they take care of every last detail of your event, from planning, to food and drinks and even the wedding cake. While most venues actually perform all of these tasks, other venues may claim that they’re all-inclusive, but don’t provide event planning, catering or bar services, so it’s always a good idea to ask what services all-inclusive includes.

4. Ask for a Complete Charge Breakdown

“Budgeting for your event is important. It’s also good to know where your charges come from. Nobody should be caught off guard by hidden fees, so make sure your venue is transparent in everything they do. Ask about parking fees and any other charges they may not tell you about right up front. A venue should be willing help you make your event easy to plan and budget for,” O’Grady says.

5. Relax and Enjoy

Once you’ve determined where you’ll be getting hitched, enjoy your moment.

It’s no wonder Utah couples opt for outdoor weddings. One of Utah’s greatest asset is its expansive outdoor space. Alta Lodge is a favorite among the outdoorsy set due to the rustic lodging and sensational views.

“What makes the Lodge so cool is that it can be a one-stop shop for couples who are getting married. We offer a unique experience for everyone. We host a lot of destination weddings, and for locals, the lodge can create a staycation in the mountains,” she says.

For more information on a mountain wedding at Alta Lodge, visit their website and follow them on Instagram.