Today’s guest post comes from Constance Adamopoulos, founder of Organized Chaos Events.

When you begin planning your event, one of the most important factors is choosing the right location. In a previous post, Eventbrite Chicago shared her ideas for finding creative venues, an important first step in narrowing down your venue options.

Once you know your event’s size and you’ve established the vibe, there are a few other things you’ll want to keep in mind. Here are three tips to help you evaluate your next venue:

1. Pretend you’re buying a house. When you evaluate the event space, look at the venue as if you were going to ‘live’ there. What condition is the building in? Where are the restrooms located? How close is the kitchen to the party? Additionally, consider taking photos of the venue’s condition to ensure you’re not charged for damages you didn’t cause.

2. Schedule to see the venue in the right light. Spaces can change depending on the time of day. Make sure you schedule to see a venue around the time of day that your event will be taking place. You may consider adding ambient lighting, which can dramatically change your event. Lighting is one of the least expensive ways to decorate, and can also hide a world of evils if your venue needs a little make-up!

3. Know all of the details. Each venue has its own unique set of variables. Make sure you get all the details about each venue you look at before making your selection. Does the venue have their own chairs and tables, or A/V system? What are their rules on bringing in your own catering or bartender? What time can you begin setting up, and what time do you need to be out afterwards? Is there a charge if you stay later? If you’re on a budget and your event date is flexible, you can also inquire whether the venue has different pricing based on the day of the week.

It’s easy to get caught up in finding the ‘perfect’ venue. Keeping these practical tips in mind when you’re evaluating the space will make planning a lot easier and guarantee that the venue is indeed perfect for your event.

Any events you’d add? Tell us in the comments below!