Celebrating Intercultural Love Stories Through Our Clients

When planning your wedding, picking the venue is generally the first and most important thing you will do.

How do you do this and how do you make sure you get it right?

There are lots of things to consider, so read on to help you make the right choice.

How Big?

Have in mind the number of guests you would like to invite. Some venues will automatically be ruled out if you have a large guest list. Remember, the number of guests is directly linked to the cost of your wedding. More guests require a higher spend.

Where?

The location of your venue is also important. Think about where your guests will be coming from. If they are travelling far they may need accommodation locally or at the wedding venue. If they are evening only guests, they may not want to travel a long distance – even for a couple of hours of enjoyment and celebration.  

Consider what type of location – countryside with scenic views and greenery or a city location with modern, creative vibes.  

How Much?

Know your budget and stick to it. There is no point looking at venues that cost more than you can afford. Be realistic about your budget and ensure your venue is no more than 50% of the total. When discussing your wedding requirements with venues ensure you understand all the associated costs to make sure you are not surprised by hidden charges further down the line when you are already committed.

Venues costs will vary according to the time of year or day of the week. High season is spring/summer and venues can be considerably cheaper outside this time. Choosing a weekday can also make it more affordable so is worth considering especially if you are not expecting many children at your wedding.

What Style?

There are lots of different styles of venue: a barn, castle, stately home, warehouse, and many others. Think about your style and taste as a couple and what you envisage for yourselves on your big day. If you want everything in one place (such as the ceremony and evening reception) ensure the venue is licensed to carry out the type or ceremony you are looking for.

Food and other suppliers

Some venues will stipulate that you must use their suppliers for food and some other production items, so ensure you are happy with the available options before you commit. If you don’t want to use a venue’s specified suppliers, or you have fixed ideas about the food you would like to serve, then a ‘dry hire’ venue may better suit your requirements. (Dry Hire means you are paying only for the use of the space and you must arrange the catering and other suppliers yourself).

If you are not sure where to start even after reading this, then reach out to a wedding planner as we have lots of experience of various types of venue and may be able to assist and guide you when finding the perfect setting for your big day.