Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Great Indoors

Last time I took on outdoor venues, so I think it would be appropriate to discuss indoor venues now, especially with colder weather approaching.  The primary advantage to indoor venues such as hotels, chapels, and church sanctuaries is that event hosts have much more control in the environment.  Guests are sheltered from heat, cold, wind, rain, not to mention the noise of planes, trains, and automobiles.  Also, acoustically speaking, the natural acoustics are more conducive to your guests being able to hear the officiant or speaker of any kind, with or without a sound system.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are looking at venues:

Size:  Will it accommodate the amount of guests you will be inviting?  It should be not too big, nor too small, but just right.

Décor:  Is the décor appropriate for the kind of atmosphere you wish to convey for your event?  If you event is elegant and formal, make sure the venue matches that vision.  If you are hosting a more informal event, then the environment should reflect that as well.

Staff:  Is the staff at your venue helpful and accommodating?  Make sure you get everything in writing before you sign on the dotted line, so that there are no surprises.

Music considerations:  If you are getting married in a church sanctuary, make sure you find out if there are any specific musical guidelines that the church requires.  Some may request only classical and sacred music be performed.  Others may have less stringent guidelines.  Once you know this information, pass it on to your musician (harpist, preferably!) so that he can make sure all musical selections are appropriate for the venue.  Also, find a good spot for your harpist or ensemble.  People love to see musicians performing (especially the harp, given its visual nature), so set them up front, but make sure you have a flat surface with adequate lighting.  If amplification will be needed, discuss this before the event.

Having performed as a harpist in Orange County and Los Angeles County for over twenty years now, I can state there are many wonderful indoor venues that would be excellent choices for any type of event.  Contact me if you need a recommendation.

Brian Noel