Finding the perfect wedding venue

Wedding planning has changed so much since the introduction of private businesses being allowed to apply for a licence to become a wedding venue for civil ceremonies.

Wedding Venues now come in all shapes and sizes, from castles to hotels, golf clubs to country houses, getting married at a wedding venue rather then a church has become increasingly popular.

Choosing your venue is probably the most exciting part of your planning, and finding the perfect one for you isn’t an easy task.
Firstly, you may have a rough idea of a date in your mind, but be cautious, as if you find your ideal wedding venue, they may not be available for your date, so prepare to be a little flexible.

When you start your search, consider the area you wish to get married in. If this is not your local area, you will need to inform the relevant council that the venue resides in.
The best place to start searching for ideas is the internet, every venue will have a website, and there are plenty of wedding directories available with lists of venues for you to search.

Shortlist 3 or 4 wedding venues that you would like to see, and then contact them to make official appointments to view the venue, and discuss your requirements with their staff.
If you don’t make an appointment, it may mean that you won’t be able to walk around the venue or there may be no member of staff to help answer your questions.

Once you have your appointments, then prepare yourself with thoughts of what you actually want from your wedding.
Consider the following options :

• Will the wedding ceremony and reception be held at the same venue.
• Is the venue a good size for the amount of guests you want to invite.
• Can you have more guests to arrive in the evening ?
• What exactly is covered by their charge – is it just a hire fee?
• Ask about catering, sample menus, bar prices, buffet options.
• Entertainment, is there an area for a DJ or band.
• Is the venue going to be used for other events on your wedding day ?
• Is there accommodation for your guests, or can they travel there easily.
• Will the tables and venue be decorated, or is this another cost for you.

Wedding Venue Tips

The list can go on, but every wedding is different, so consider these options and then add your own thoughts and ideas before you visit a wedding venue.
You’ll also want to think about wedding photos, and should the great British weather let you down, is there a suitable indoor area that can provide a nice backdrop for your photographs.

When it comes to your budget, ask the venue to provide a full list of what is involved with their quote, you may find that some offer a resident DJ, while others may only allow you to use their own catering, each will have different rules and costs involved.
Don’t forget to ask about discounted rates for off season, or midweek weddings. You should find that a Monday wedding in February costs considerably less then a Saturday in July.
Basic economics should apply, meaning your wedding services such as photographer or videographer are unlikely to have bookings on off peak days, so discounts should be enquired about.

Most importantly enjoy choosing your wedding venue, it really is great fun looking around all the different options available, it’s exciting and will take you a while to find the perfect one that suits you.