Your wedding venue is like a storybook setting from your life’s novel. Soon, it’ll become a meaningful place where you share your first look, vows, and toasts. These are memories you couldn’t imagine happening anywhere else.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania, offers timeless and breathtaking destinations, from outdoor wedding venues to all-inclusive event spaces to lake wedding venues. For instance, The Lake House Inn provides 6,000 acres of picturesque scenery and stunning lakefront views.

As you explore your top choices, use our guide to help you find the perfect wedding venue for your special day.

This post will cover:

  • 4 tips for selecting the right location
  • Why it’s worth considering an all-inclusive wedding venue
  • Vital questions to ask when touring a wedding venue

Keep reading if you’re ready to ease into your venue search!

Start With Your Vision

Your best asset is your vision. Consider it your roadmap to the altar. Not only will it help you see the bigger picture, but it will ensure you stay true to the finer details. You can begin with your style and theme.

Define Your Wedding Style and Desired Theme

Although décor can enhance your vision, your theme encompasses everything from your setting to your linens, lighting, and flowers. Every element, no matter how small, plays a role.

Set aside time to create a mood board with your partner. You can include:

  • Your ideal color palette
  • Favorite locations, like lake wedding venues
  • Tablescapes
  • Lighting options
  • Statement flowers and greenery
  • Cultural elements
  • Dining experience

The goal is to find an event space that complements your cohesive vision. Then, share the details with your wedding coordinator to ensure everything aligns.

Estimate Your Guest Count

Beyond your wedding theme, your guest list will be a determining factor in your venue search. Whether you’re leaning towards an indoor or outdoor wedding venue, you’ll want to keep your attendees’ comfort at the forefront of your mind.

Jot down all the people you want to invite and use the estimated figure to find a venue to accommodate your guests. For instance, if you’re inviting 50 people, you may lean towards an intimate event space. In contrast, couples with a large headcount may consider spacious wedding venues in Bucks County, PA, like The Lake House Inn.

Finalize Your Location

Before starting your research, ask yourself where you want to tie the knot–locally or out of town. If you want to host an out-of-state wedding, here are some factors to keep in mind:

  • Travel expenses, such as accommodations, airfare, and car rentals
  • Working with a local wedding planner may be ideal
  • Prepare for a smaller attendance, as many may not be able to make the trip
  • Research the weather and have a backup plan

Whether you opt for an out-of-state celebration or a local event, know that location will affect your guest count, wedding venue, and overall experience. If you have any loved ones traveling to Bucks County, PA, for your big day, consider exploring our 14 luxurious suites for their stay!

What to Look for in Your Storybook Wedding Venue

While you may have a general idea of what you want, it’s important to explore logistics and features. Add these six essential elements to your wedding venue checklist!

Ambiance and Aesthetic

Ambiance refers to the mood and character of an event space, whereas aesthetics highlight beauty, emotion, and style. When doing venue walkthroughs, think about the feelings the space evokes.

Does the wedding venue achieve your desired vibes? Do the unique characteristics elevate your vision? How does the style play into your theme?

Spend a few minutes listing your favorite styles and the general ambiance you want to achieve for your special day. For instance, if historic charm and countryside views are on your list, you may love our venue!

Capacity and Layout

Use your guest count to find a location that comfortably accommodates loved ones and group activities. For example, our storybook wedding venue can host 300+ guests.

With capacity in mind, you and your wedding planner can better coordinate the layout for your dance floor, games and activities, and entertainment. Ask your desired wedding venue about their layout options, as some event spaces may not be flexible.

Facilities and Amenities

Review the amenities, like catering services. Many wedding venues in Bucks County, PA, offer a specialized culinary team in their wedding packages. Our exclusive caterer, Jeffrey A. Miller, wows couples with farm-to-table dishes infused with local flavors and impressive presentation.

Other noteworthy features include multiple event spaces, a coordinator, lodging, tables, chairs, and linen. At The Lake House Inn, we deliver an enchanting experience to our couples through our impressive list of offerings, from our event staff and floor-length linens to our cordials at our coffee station and custom wedding cakes.

Indoor and Outdoor Wedding Venue Options

If you don’t want to be limited by an indoor or outdoor space, consider looking at properties that offer both. For instance, you can share your vows in a garden and host your cocktail hour and reception inside.

Multiple backdrops for your big day also add vibrancy to your wedding photos. Many of our clients appreciate the waterfront views at our lake wedding venue and our Boathouse Ballroom, which can host around 300 guests. You can view our historic setting here!

Weather Considerations

Outdoor weddings are perfect for leaning into the natural beauty of your landscape. But you also want to have a backup plan for unpredictable weather conditions. The last thing you want is to share your vows during a storm when you expect clear skies.

Instead, ask if your wedding venue has a plan B, like our perfect rain plan.

Why Select an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue

There are many benefits to all-inclusive wedding venues, starting with their cost-effective and convenient packages. If you have a busy work and social life, an all-inclusive event space can help reduce endless decisions.

Honor Your Wedding Budget

While the upfront costs may seem expensive, additional fees come with traditional event spaces, such as outsourcing your vendors with delivery, mileage, and labor fees. You may also need to hire event staff and rent equipment, which can add up.

In contrast, all-inclusive wedding venues provide everything on-site and potentially at a lower rate. If you need more clarification on the final figures, compare the costs before finalizing your decision.

Save Time and Gain Peace of Mind

All-inclusive wedding venues often provide specialized wedding packages, simplifying the decision process. For instance, you can select your menu, décor, planning assistance, lodging, and other vital factors without experiencing information overload.

When you reserve an estate with all-inclusive features, you can enjoy your engagement knowing the venue will handle everything.

Receive Guidance From a Wedding Coordinator

Many wedding venues in Bucks County, PA, provide an appointed wedding coordinator to support you through each step of the planning process, from tastings to theme selection to leading your special day.

A dedicated event coordinator can allow you and your partner to be fully present and make memories with loved ones.

Get Swept off Your Feet With Offerings

While every wedding venue has unique amenities, we’re proud to deliver the following to our couples:

  • An event coordinator
  • Full-service event staff
  • Outdoor ceremony with waterfront view
  • Reception seating and dance floor for 300 guests
  • Golf cart with driver for elderly guests and people with disabilities
  • Wedding suite and billiards lounge for the wedding party
  • Ceremony setup
  • Dining tables and chairs for reception
  • Floor-length linens that match your color palette
  • AIA award-winning architecture and interior design
  • Farmhouse tables

View our complete list of wedding offerings here!

10 Crucial Questions to Ask Wedding Venues

Beyond the ambiance and overall feel, you’ll want to find a location that accommodates all your needs. Set aside time with your partner to brainstorm some questions to ask when touring a wedding venue.

You can get started by adding these questions to your wedding venue checklist:

  • What’s your availability for our ideal date?
  • Can you walk us through your booking process?
  • What are your terms and cancellation policies?
  • What happens if we have to postpone our event or reschedule it?
  • What are your guidelines on noise ordinances, décor, time limits, and alcohol?
  • Can we hire a catering company, DJ, and lighting team?
  • Do you have any policies for creative vendors?
  • Do you provide a wedding coordinator and event staff during the celebration?
  • Are there any additional fees we should know, such as tables, chairs, canopy rentals, vendor taxes, and event insurance?
  • Are accommodations included in our wedding package, or are they an add-on? (This question is relevant if you’re planning an out-of-state wedding.)

Write down your questions and ask away as you tour your favorite locations.

Average Cost of Wedding Venues

Many modern couples invest $12,000 or more in their dream wedding venue, with location, season, and amenities influencing the price. For instance, a countryside wedding venue may cost less than a downtown event space. In most cases, popularity and demand may also increase costs.

In addition, peak seasons are typically more expensive due to high demand, whereas off-peak seasons may offer more reasonable prices because of fewer celebrations.

Additional fees may include setup and takedown, catering and bar, taxes, and gratuities.
As you explore your top wedding venues in Bucks County, PA, compare the rates and features to determine the best option to host your special day.

Your Fairytale Lake Wedding Venue Awaits

When planning the ultimate celebration, the best place to start is with a wedding planner and a stunning event space that welcomes your new chapter with your beloved. If you need some direction, we invite you to begin your venue search at The Lake House Inn!

Our award-winning, all-inclusive wedding venue offers 6,000 acres of natural scenery, views of Lake Nockamixon, and 19th-century touches that will add a timeless and luxurious feel to your big day. Beyond our breathtaking property, we designed our wedding packages to care for your needs so you can truly enjoy every moment with your loved ones.

Book a private tour and get a taste of what The Lake House Inn has to offer!