Selecting the wedding venue for your big day is one of the most difficult decisions for a bride and groom and one that will set the scene for the entire wedding.

Everything revolves around the wedding reception venue including the decor, budget, food, travel, and even accommodation, so if you are recently engaged or looking to lock in your wedding plans choosing the wedding reception venue should be high on your to-do list.

Before you start looking at all the wedding reception options and touring venues, it's important to create a bit of a checklist to ensure your research is comprehensive and you don't forget anything that might affect your big day.

Things to consider ahead of selecting your wedding reception venue include:

• The number of guests who will be attending your reception - do your research with your groom and create a list of all the family and friends you hope to have at your wedding. Be very clear about your numbers so you can determine whether reception venues will fit your guest list.

• Figure out the inclusions for the wedding reception venue - will the reception venue be room only hire and do they include staff, dry hire, tables, chairs, cleaning, and linen. The costs can add up, so make sure you are aware of what is included and what is not so you can create a budget per head for the reception venue that fits within your wedding budget.

• Figure out the inclusions for the wedding reception venue - will the reception venue be room only hire and do they include staff, dry hire, tables, chairs, cleaning, and linen. The costs can add up, so make sure you are aware of what is included and what is not so you can create a budget per head for the reception venue that fits within your wedding budget.

• Do a taste test of the reception venue's menu - if you have narrowed down your venue to one or two options, it is worth doing a taste test of the venue to make sure it suits your tastes as well as the needs of your guests and family. Take the time to get an example menu created as well as taste the food if you're in the local area, or you can take the time out for a little weekend away before your big day. Even if your wedding is incredible, if the food is terrible it really will put a dampener on the experience for your guests.

Choosing your wedding reception venue shouldn't be stressful, and if you ensure you give yourself lots of time to plan, prepare and check out the options, you should be able to find the perfect venue for your reception that suits you and your groom to a tee.

Professional venue reception venues will have a wedding coordinator or a dedicated wedding planner on site to help you through each step in your planning for your reception, assisting with guest lists, seating plans, menus, run sheets, recommendations for your vendors and any dietary requirements or special needs for your family and guests.

Whether you're looking for a reception venue that has a formal dining room, or a relaxed lounge, a lake view patio or simply enough space to fit your guests, taking the time to consider your location, capacity, availability, menu and venue inclusions is important for all brides and grooms.

River Rest Weddings is located on Lake Logan Martin, in a peaceful and secluded area close to Talladega, Alabama. The beautiful lakefront home has a private beach and overlooks two and a half miles of stunning lake, the perfect location for your wedding reception.

The picture-perfect location for brides and grooms looking for a beautiful lakeside wedding experience with reception venue options that boost plenty of space, natural beauty, and wonderful hospitality, the River Rest Weddings is fast becoming a popular option for lakeside weddings in Alabama.

River Rest Weddings features a range of options reception-wise for your wedding celebration including three living rooms complete with one reception room with a 20-foot glass window, five guest bedrooms, private golf carts for transporting the wedding party, a hot tub, and an entertainment den for the wedding after party or simply relaxing with your wedding guests.

Located less than an hours drive from Birmingham, Alabama and only two hours from Montgomery and Huntsville, the idyllic resort home is surrounded by three miles of delightful Alabama countryside and is the perfect location for a relaxing lakeside wedding reception and ceremony.

If you're in the process of planning your wedding and you're looking for the perfect reception venue for your special day, look no further than the River Rest Weddings.