Your venue. It’s the first thing on your mind when you start planning your wedding. Never fear! Ashley Love of Ashton Gardens  is here to help you successfully find your wedding venue, plus she shares a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Ashton Gardens so special. Keep scrolling to read her tips on the most important questions to ask each venue and what you should have ready when you start planning.

Photo // MaggShots Photography

What questions do couples need to ask a venue before booking?

“What’s included?” or “What’s not included?”  The questions seem similar but are very different. At a venue like Ashton Gardens, we have so much included in the price that it’s a lot easier to ask what’s not included. At a venue that doesn’t offer all-inclusive amenities, you need to know what you’re responsible for. They’re such simple questions but they have the ability to check so many things off a bride’s to do list.

When should a couple book their wedding venue?

This really depends on the couple’s flexibility with their event date or time of year. Some dates are claimed over a year in advance. A good example in 2020 is October 10th. 10/10/2020 was booked a year and half out. If there’s a little give in when couples prefer to host their big day, the potential to find something that works perfectly is definitely more likely.

What information does a couple need to know before booking their venue?

It never hurts to have an approximate budget when venue shopping. The great thing about reputable venues is that they understand that when you’re just starting your wedding planning, everything is super tentative and that details change a lot. Aside from having a date, it’s a good idea to have a ballpark estimate of guests, just to make sure the venue can accommodate the guest count, as well as the payment schedule for their venue.

What’s one piece of advice you give to all your couples?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Weddings are supposed to be fun and memory making events so try to remember the bigger picture. As long as you leave, married to the person you love, that’s what matters.

Tell us about Ashton Gardens.

Ashton Gardens DFW will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in July 2020, and we couldn’t be more thankful for all of the support we’ve received over the years. We’ve gone through changes and renovations and have really made it our priority to give the couples what they want: Exclusive use of the venue, updated menu options and fresh bar selections. We pride ourselves on being the classic venue that offers an indoor/outdoor feel without the stress of needing a plan B and through our staff, we continue to share how special our venue is on a daily basis. We are so proud of our product and can’t wait to see that 2020 has in store for us!

What amenities does Ashton Gardens offer that makes it unique?

When I think of the things that make us unique, the first thing that comes to mind is our wrap-around, floor to ceiling windows in our chapel and ballroom that features our private forest. You get an outdoor feeling without the stress of the Texas weather. We also love our winding, timber pergola that connects our chapel and ballroom, dazzling ballroom chandeliers and our stunning grand staircase, perfect for our newlywed’s special entrance.

A special thank you to Ashley Love of Ashton Gardens for sharing her venue insights with our readers. If you would love to get more information on hosting your wedding or event at Ashton Gardens, visit their Brides of North Texas vendor profile for more details.