BLOG | Aura Moments

Find Your Perfect Tri-State Wedding Venue

Planning your wedding is such an exciting journey, isn’t it? From the moment you say “yes” to the big day itself, every detail matters. And one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the perfect venue. If you’re dreaming of a wedding in the Northeast, you’re in luck! The tri-state area offers an incredible variety of stunning spots that can make your celebration truly unforgettable. So, let’s dive in and explore how to find your perfect tri-state wedding venue!

Why the Tri-State Area is a Dream for Wedding Venues

Have you ever thought about why so many couples flock to the tri-state area for their weddings? It’s not just because it’s home to bustling cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Newark. It’s because this region offers such a diverse range of venues that can fit any style or vibe you’re imagining.

Whether you want a chic urban loft with skyline views, a charming rustic barn surrounded by nature, or a classic ballroom dripping with elegance, the tri-state area has it all. Plus, the accessibility is unbeatable. Your guests can easily travel from nearby states or even fly in from across the country without hassle.

And here’s a little secret: many of these venues come with amazing local vendors who know exactly how to make your day shine. From caterers to florists, and of course, photographers and videographers who capture every magical moment.

Eye-level view of elegant ballroom with chandeliers and round tables — Elegant ballroom perfect for weddings

How to Choose the Perfect Tri-State Wedding Venues for Your Style

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. How do you pick the perfect venue that feels just right for you? Here are some tips that I always share with couples:

Think About Your Guest List Size
You want a space that feels cozy but not cramped. Too small, and your guests might feel squished. Too big, and it might feel empty or impersonal. Make a rough estimate of your guest count early on.
Consider the Season and Weather
Are you dreaming of a spring garden wedding or a cozy winter celebration? Some venues shine in certain seasons. Outdoor spaces are gorgeous in the fall but might be tricky in the winter.
Location, Location, Location
How far are your guests willing to travel? Do you want a venue close to the city buzz or tucked away in the countryside? Accessibility and parking are key factors.
Style and Ambiance
What’s your wedding vibe? Modern and sleek? Vintage and romantic? Rustic and natural? The venue should reflect your personality and the mood you want to create.
Budget-Friendly Options
Venues can vary widely in price. Don’t forget to ask about what’s included in the rental fee. Sometimes, a slightly higher price includes tables, chairs, and even catering, which can save you money overall.
Ask About Restrictions
Some venues have noise curfews, alcohol policies, or vendor restrictions. It’s better to know upfront than to be surprised later.

Once you have these points in mind, start visiting venues! Nothing beats seeing a space in person to get a real feel for it.

Wide angle view of rustic barn wedding venue with wooden beams and string lights — Rustic barn wedding venue with warm lighting

What Makes a Venue Truly Stand Out?

You might wonder, “With so many beautiful places, how do I know which one is the one?” Here’s what I always tell couples: look for the venue that makes your heart skip a beat. But beyond that, here are some practical things to consider:

Natural Light: Does the venue have big windows or outdoor spaces that let in lots of natural light? This is a game-changer for your photos and overall atmosphere.
Flexibility: Can you bring in your own vendors, or are you limited to a preferred list? Flexibility means you can customize your day more easily.
Unique Features: Maybe it’s a historic fireplace, a beautiful garden, or a rooftop terrace with city views. These little extras add character and make your wedding stand out.
Comfort for Guests: Think about heating, cooling, restrooms, and seating. Your guests will thank you!
Backup Plans: If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, does the venue have an indoor option in case of rain? It’s always good to have a Plan B.

Remember, your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day. It’s where memories will be made, laughter shared, and love celebrated.

How to Make the Most of Your Venue Visit

Visiting venues can be overwhelming, but it’s also so much fun! Here’s how to make the most of your tours:

Bring a Checklist: Write down your must-haves and nice-to-haves. This keeps you focused and helps you compare venues later.
Take Photos and Notes: Your memory might get fuzzy after a few visits. Snap pictures and jot down your impressions.
Ask Questions: Don’t be shy! Ask about availability, pricing, what’s included, and any restrictions.
Visualize Your Day: Imagine walking down the aisle, your first dance, and your guests mingling. Does the space feel right?
Bring Your Partner or a Trusted Friend: A second opinion can be invaluable.
Check Out the Surroundings: Is there a nice spot nearby for photos? Is parking easy? What’s the neighborhood vibe?

High angle view of outdoor garden wedding setup with white chairs and floral decorations — Outdoor garden wedding setup with floral decorations

Capturing Your Day at the Perfect Venue

Once you’ve found your dream venue, the next step is making sure every moment is beautifully captured. This is where choosing the right photography and videography team comes in. After all, your wedding day will fly by, but your photos and videos will last a lifetime.

If you’re planning a wedding in Philadelphia, New Jersey, or New York City, I highly recommend checking out tri-state wedding venues and the amazing services offered by Aura Moments. They specialize in capturing every precious moment with warmth and artistry, making sure your memories are as vibrant as the day itself.

Think about how the venue’s lighting and layout will affect your photos. A venue with lots of natural light and beautiful backdrops will make your pictures pop. And don’t forget to schedule some time for portraits in those stunning spots you fell in love with during your visit.

Your Wedding Venue Adventure Awaits!

Choosing your wedding venue is such a joyful part of planning your big day. It’s where your love story will be celebrated surrounded by the people who matter most. So take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy every moment of this adventure.

Remember, the perfect tri-state wedding venue is out there waiting for you - a place that feels like home and a dream all at once. And when you find it, your wedding day will be nothing short of magical!

Happy venue hunting! You’ve got this!

tri-state wedding venues

Making Plans for a Wedding Day? Here’s a Simple Checklist So You Don’t Miss Out on a Thing!

Updated: Jul 27

Whether it’s you who’s getting married, or being ordained with the responsibility to make the arrangements for someone else’s marriage, getting all the parts covered can always be pretty much overwhelming. After all, it’s the wedding day! Even if you know yourself who can get any such work perfectly sorted anytime, guess the demand that a wedding plan need- is, and will always be, of extra special significance.

Amidst all the points that require your exclusive attention, it’s indeed very easy, per se, to get perplexed and find the first block to start, when it comes to the reception and all. But no worries, we’re here to get things smoothed out for you! Here’s a simple checklist, perfectly tailored thinking about you, so that nothing crucial about the “Must-do” of the wedding falls off of your radar!

Have a Clear Idea of the Wedding Budget:

Guess just the most important part of the whole thing is spoken here, and if another paragraph is written on its significance, guess that’ll sound like the task of school homework! Jokes aside, having a clear idea of the budget will help you have a keen eye on where and how you want to spend your precious dimes- all that makes the day memorable. From the wedding invitation, and guest list to get the vendors sorted, everything needs individual attention. Despite heaps of factors, it’s important how YOU wish to spend and HOW MUCH on specific purposes. That’s because while choices differ, after all, it’s your wedding, and only you get to decide which part of it should be of top-notch importance.

Using Digital Means to Stay on Track

A wedding planner app will be the fastest thing that comes to mind, as it’ll help you to keep track of every other tiny detail that requires your attention. Some couples choose to go for setting up a wedding website, using the free website maker that has easy templates for you to choose from and customize. Having a website will help you in getting your up-to-date details updated every now and then, without going down the arduous road of notifying the guests individually. Even after the day is over, who doesn’t want to have a living record of one of the most significant days of their lives?

Talk to Other Married Couples and Acquaintances:

Oh yes, who else will know the process better than the ones who’ve been there? Guess other married couples and experienced acquaintances will be able to give you the perfect guidelines when it comes down to choosing the best for yourself. We suggest it might be of use if you get to talk to people that had differing interests, that way, you’ll get to find the right variety and combination that fits your choice. Aside from it, knowing where they had their troubles and mishaps will come as an extra plus, so that you can carefully avoid those while planning for yourself.

Choose the Vendors that Fits Your Preferences:

Now, coming to a very important part, which literally has the ability to make your day appear extraordinary. In fact, a whole other checklist can be done based on it. Beginning from your wedding photographer to your venue decorator, caterer, wedding attire designer, wedding jeweler, florist, wedding cake baker, wedding hair, and makeup pros- everything needs your attention again. But one thing where often a good amount of mishap is seen happening, is, when people simply go for the highly rated suggestions, without really cross-checking if they are comfortable with the service of the vendors they are choosing. Highly rated vendors have excellence in their delivery, but then again, it’s YOUR day, so if you’re not satisfied with how things turn out, we guess that might put a little gloom on your face, which was only supposed to shine the brightest.

This also means we know how to make you look and feel your best. Most of our couples come into their consultation saying they just know they’ll be awkward in front of the camera. You may also think, “I’m not a model, I have co clue what to do…” That is totally okay! We’re here to help you pose and won’t leave you wondering what to do with your hands. Take it from our amazing past Aura Moments bride Isiah:

“We had Jade do our engagement pictures, bridals and wedding. Julian was AMAZING! He went above and beyond in every way possible. He took amazing pictures and made us feel so comfortable. He was very good at explaining what poses to do and helped us look awesome in our pictures!” – Isiah M.

Choosing the Venue:

When selecting the venue, it definitely requires you to check out the following things- if it’s capable of handling your guests, if it’s capable to get the decor planted perfectly, and most importantly, if it’s one that YOU’RE comfortable with. In recent days, on-site wedding venues are extremely popular, as preferring such will get you access to making small alterations instantly. These venues have enough arrangements and space for your vendors so that any impromptu changes can be done without much hassle. So if it supports your case, how about giving it a try?

If you want to see our photography work, head to our wedding photography portfolio here. To see our wedding videography portfolio, head here. If you’re ready to schedule your free consultation with us or want to book your wedding services now, contact us here!

Have Consice Thoughts on the Guest List:

Well, getting along with the guest list is indeed a very personal decision that every couple needs to carefully think about. Of course, coming across many people in our lives, it’s easy to get bamboozled about whom to invite to your wedding and whom to not. Our suggestion is, to invite the people who make you feel loved and happy. All those people who will make your wedding day undeniably a special one with their loving energy, presence, blessings, and well wishes.

Don’t Forget to the official procedures:

Depending upon how you choose your official procedures and registry to be executed, you can decide whether to save all of it for the last and the best moment or to shed off some load by executing some beforehand. Cause indeed, there will be a whole lot of issues where you might need to pay heed on the big day, it’s better that such a crucial part of official procedures doesn’t get missed.

Now after all’s done, just say yes to your significant other!

And yes, the venue is ready, the vendors executed their jobs perfectly, and the guests are there to cheer you towards the upcoming new life, what’s left? Yes, you guessed that right! All you need to do is make the grand moment framed to perfection by embracing your person for life, that too, officially! And that way, all the congratulations and best wishes for your upcoming conjugal life will go to you, for making it to this beautiful moment of your life, for which you’ve worked really really hard for the past few months!

We can’t wait to talk with you about your wedding day and to see how we can serve you and your fiancé! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

#weddingphotography #weddingvideography

5 Things That Make Aura Moments Unique

Updated: Jul 27

Now that you’re all set for the wedding day, to make the day a memorable one, what else can best capture the moment other than wedding photography and videography? And to make your day a special one, undeniably you’d want to choose the best wedding photographer and videographer, someone you can trust enough to capture the best moments of the day!

Looking around and hearing from every other possible source, you might feel perplexed to choose the best option. And nevertheless, we also suggest you look for compatibility in terms of wedding photography and videography service, when you look for your options.

Amidst all the possible confusion, to make your decision-making process eased, we, the Aura Studio team, are here, to share out top-notch efforts so that you don’t end up feeling disappointed on your wedding day. But well, not intending to sound like all talk, so here, we’re laying out all the best features that make our studio unique-

We offer both wedding photography and wedding videography so you can have one amazing team to capture all your wedding day memories. You can be assured that with Aura Moments your important memories will be in great hands. Past couples, like sweet Heather, have amazing things to say:

“My husband and I couldn't have hired a better or more attentive company! Very understanding of how stressful the day is for so many couples and always right where the events of the night were. Definitely will recommend to friends and family.” -Heather S.

Our Locations:

To get the remarkably best wedding shots and make them noteworthy, we select the venues that matches your interest. Beginning with your wedding attire to your memorable spot, wherever you wish to lock in a special memory, we are ready to select all such spots to get the wedding photos to look like gems!

Our Style:

What’s better than novelty and uniqueness in a pool of options to choose from? Yes, we assure to be of uniqueness by how we view the wedding and how we signify the importance of wedding photography and videography. After all, it’s the wedding day! As mentioned earlier, we choose custom-tailored venues to get the best shots. Besides, it being the wedding day, many other aspects of the wedding reception deserve special attention. With our sharp observation, we try to capture all the significant moments so that when many years later you look back at the time of your wedding day, you have plenty of memories to rejoice and relive, once again!

Our Team:

What’s better than a team who can make a dreamwork with their teamwork? Our wedding photography and videography team consists of experienced professionals, who have expertise in wedding photography and videography. Aside from it, we have a team full of fresh spirits, who assist the lead photographers. As a whole, we try to make sure to capture every important moment of your wedding day!

“We had Aura do our engagement pictures, bridals and wedding. John was AMAZING! He went above and beyond in every way possible. He took amazing pictures and made us feel so comfortable. He was very good at explaining what poses to do and helped us look awesome in our pictures!” – Isiah M.

Our Services:

As a team, we have our laser-sharp focus on making your wedding day a walk to remember with our team effort. Not just some random clicks, but to capture stories- that’s what we focus on, every time we opt for covering a wedding. Indeed, your wedding day and every moment leading up to it is a beautiful story and what better way to make those moments appear like they are frozen in time, other than photography and videography? Our expert photographers and all the other people behind it keep those teensiest of details in their minds to make your wedding day memorable!

Our Expertise:

Not to sound like all talk, but our expert supervision is another thing that makes us stand out. As mentioned before, our experts keep the story of your wedding day and all other moments leading to it in their minds, and they plan and choose venues accordingly so that you get to have the beautiful story of your love life planted in pictures and videos, and cherish them like the best set of pictures and movies of your life!