Once you’ve settled on your reception’s aesthetic and the type of spaces you wish to explore, it’s time to get to work. Here are the first three factors to consider during your hunt.

Guest Count and Budget. These sound like two separate entities but you can only afford to host the number of people that your budget allows; therefore, your budget will determine your wedding’s headcount. That, or you need to increase your budget to accommodate more guests’. Once you finalize your budget and total number of potential guests, this will quickly eliminate any outlying reception venues: venues that are too expensive or too small.

Wedding Date. Being committed to a particular wedding date – perhaps it’s your parents’ anniversary or a holiday weekend – this will also narrow down your options. If a reception site doesn’t have your date available, move on. If it does, know that nothing is final until you’ve signed a contract and made a deposit. Once your decision is made, it’s critical to officially secure the space as soon as possible. Some choice venues are booked one to two years in advance, particularly in popular months.

On-site vs. OFF-SITE. Most on-site locations provide most of the goods and services needed for your reception: catering, beverages, tables, chairs, tableware, linens, and serving staff. Such locations are typically hotels, ballrooms, private clubs, restaurants and more, which usually have an experienced wedding coordinator on staff to assist. These facilities usually charge on a per-person basis and have a minimum guest requirement.

Off-site locations mostly offer the use of the reception space only — no other services. You’re responsible for supplying the caterer, furnishings, décor, waitstaff and bartenders, and everything in between. Such locations range from open-concept urban lofts to tented receptions.

The responsibility of coordinating your own reception goods and services might sound like a headache to some brides, and to others, it’s an opportunity to fully personalize their day. Off-site venues are often a blank slate, allowing you to furnish and dress up the space as you like, along with more flexibility regarding food, beverages, and timing. Catering and rental providers may help with coordinating as well. There are pros and cons to both on- and off-site venues — what matters is what’s right for you and your wedding!

Below are seven details to consider as you visit and evaluate reception venues.

Location. Will your wedding ceremony be at the same location as your reception? This option has become more common since it’s convenient and assures more guests at the ceremony. If so, does the property have a separate area for ceremonies? If not, how do they handle the turnaround? Is there an area for cocktails and appetizers in between to bridge the time?

Consider the distance between the ceremony and reception locations. Is it more than a 30-minute drive? That’s asking a lot of your guests. If the distance to your reception is lengthy, if the place is difficult to find, or if the spot is inconvenient (say, located near a baseball stadium on game day), transportation should be provided.

Size and Layout. You’ve already eliminated sites that are too small for your guest list, but you should still make sure your friends and family have plenty of room to mix and mingle, rather than bump shoulders. Will the entire reception take place in one room, or will there be a separate space for cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing? As you look at spaces, think about where to situate the tables, dance floor, DJ, etc.

Privacy. Public spaces such as county parks won’t close for your reception. Bear in mind that a wandering local might stumble upon your party! Or if your venue has multiple event spaces (such as a hotel with several ballrooms), find out if there will be another party going on at the same time as yours. Make sure there is enough separation between the event spaces, so the two parties don’t interfere.

Parking. Confirm that there is ample, well-lighted, and convenient parking for your guests. If there isn’t, find out if a valet or shuttle service is available.

Technical details. Whether you’re planning to have a DJ or live band, ask about possible restrictions on the type, volume, or duration of music. Confirm that there’s adequate power and electrical outlets for speakers, mixers, and amplifiers. Acoustics is another consideration. It’s not uncommon for a venue’s coordinator to invite future brides and grooms to stop by a scheduled wedding to get a feel for sound levels and acoustics. If this is a real concern for you, just ask if you can do a drop-in. Odds are the site coordinator will be welcoming.

Room décor. Sites can range from modern and dramatic to rather neutral. Pay attention to the permanent decorations and fixtures. Do the flooring, wall color, window treatments, and artwork suit the style and season of your wedding? Is it a room with a view? If photography is of great importance to you, search online for professional photos from weddings staged in the space. Does it photograph well?

Services offered. With each site you visit, note what’s included in the rental price. Whether it’s big things like catering and waitstaff or details like candles and breath mints in the bathroom, it pays to get those details up front. Also bear in mind that the included services greatly impact whether a reception site fits within your budget. An affordable venue that doesn’t include any furnishings, for instance, might not be so affordable in the end.

Once your reception location and details are locked in, the remaining decisions will flow a bit easier.