It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make for your big day, so getting the venue right is crucial. Your budget will obviously affect which type of location you choose, but you have to consider the following before you start searching for the perfect location:
What Type of Ceremony Are You Having?
If you’re having a civil ceremony, your venue will have to be licensed for this marriage, but there are more than 4,000 approved sites, so hopefully you’ll find exactly what you were looking for. Church marriages are fairly ubiquitous; just make sure you’ve signed yourself in, roughly a year in advance – last minute bookings could end with you losing that perfect date.
Location
Traditionally, a bride-to-be chose a venue close to the family home. Nowadays, you’ll want to look further afield for your dream wedding. However, as you winkle out that ideal location, think about your guests. Will they have to pay a lot of money to get to the venue? Will there be ample accommodation for everyone?
Save The Date!
You may struggle to get a date that you’ve set in your mind. If you’re determined to get married on that day, you may have to book years in advance, depending on the venue and your luck! By setting the date at certain times of the year, you can save yourself money; cash that could be reinvested back into your wedding.
May to September, as well as December, are prime marital months. This nuptial peak season will make ‘saving the date’ tricky, as well as cost you extra. Other months are much cheaper. Also, Saturdays, Fridays, and Sundays are popular days to get hitched. If you can book your wedding on a week day, you’ll get your venue at a discount. Your guests may struggle to get the time off work though.
Guest List
So you might not have planned the tables just yet, but you should have a rough idea of how many people you’re inviting. Split up your draft guest list into ‘definites’ and ‘nice-to-invites.’ That way, if you fall in love with a venue, you can work out if you have too many guests on board.
What Is Your Style or Theme?
Of course, your venue will have to correspond with your theme. From castles in the south to wedding venues in North West England, you’ll have to decide whether you’re going for something informal or luxe.
Exclusivity
Would you be comfortable sharing your wedding? Many stately homes and hotels have more than one marriage in one day. You might have to fork over big bucks to avoid stepping on someone else’s wedding guests.
Food and Drink
Although your guests are obviously at your wedding because they want to celebrate your big day, empty tummies and overpriced bottles of wine make for grouchy loved ones. Ensure that the venue you hire has a selection of food and drink that doesn’t break the bank. Where possible, set up your own catering and booze.
