Selecting the right wedding venue is crucial and should be one of your top priorities, especially if you’re particular about a specific date. Here are some of the key questions you should ask yourself when choosing your wedding venue:
Location: Which part of the country would you like your wedding to take place in? Narrowing down your search area can save you a lot of time. Would you like a City or Country wedding?
Venue Type: What type of venue do you prefer? A church, country house, mill, barn, farm, marquee, tipi, or other? Would you like the venue to be exclusively yours for the day, with no other wedding taking place simultaneously? Do you dream of getting married in a Church and then holding your reception at a different venue or in the grounds of your home? Consider the venue’s availability and whether it allows access the day before or after too, especially if you would like to make it a full weekend of celebrations.
Ceremony Type: Would you like a church ceremony, a registrar, or a celebrant? Or if you are based internationally, would you like to get married in your home country and then have a family member or friend marry you in the UK?
Guests: How many guests do you plan on inviting and will you have any separate evening guests? This can affect your venue choice and budget.
Budget: What is your budget? It may not be feasible to get married at a specific venue if it’s outside of your budget range. On average, couples spend approximately 10-15% of their total budget on the venue, excluding catering.
Season: What time of year would you like to get married? This may affect venue availability, as some venues may be closed during certain months or fully booked at peak times e.g. the middle of summer, bank holidays etc.
Style: What is your preferred style? Blank canvas venues allow you to style the venue as you wish, while stately homes or manor houses offer existing charm and decor to work with.
Suppliers: Do you have any specific suppliers in mind? Some venues only allow you to choose from a list of recommended suppliers, which might limit your options. If there are certain suppliers who you just know you would like to have at your wedding then make sure you get in touch with them early.
Accommodation: Do you require on-site accommodation for your wedding party or guests or are you happy to have accommodation nearby? Where would you both like to get ready on the morning of your wedding?
If you need help finding your perfect venue or planning any aspect of your wedding, please don’t hesitate to contact me!