Congratulations to the newly engaged couple! Planning your wedding day is such an exciting part of life. In this article, we’re letting you know how to find the right wedding venue.
Your wedding venue is a very important part of your day. It’s also one of the first things you need to think about when planning your wedding. Your venue could change your entire day!
How to find the right wedding venue
There are so many different places that you could choose for your wedding day. Some couples may want a destination wedding, an outdoor wedding or a country house venue. In contrast, others may choose more traditional options, such as a church. It’s entirely up to you which options you choose, it’s your special day.
Before setting your heart on a potential wedding venue, you’ll need to think of an estimated date for getting married. Having some dates in mind means you can go to the venue with a more open perspective. The venue may be able to offer you a few different dates, and then you can go from there. Otherwise, they may not be able to offer you the ideal wedding date, and you may have to find a different venue.
You may want to consider whether you’d like to have your wedding ceremony and reception in the same place. If you do, you’ll have to find a venue that caters for both events. If you choose to have different locations, you’ll need to make sure that they aren’t too far away from each other and that guests have a way of travelling to the wedding reception.
Another important element to consider is the venue capacity. You may have already created a rough guest list. This may need tweaking depending on the capacity of your venue. You’ll have to ask the venue for this information. They may be able to offer more guests for an additional price.
When choosing a wedding venue, you also need to assess the packages available. Some wedding venues may offer more advanced packages, and the price may not be much higher than other options.
Hiring a wedding planner can be beneficial when searching for venues. A planner will likely have a lot of experience around the local area. They’ll have seen many different wedding styles and likely be able to offer you a lot of inspiration. We offer wedding planning services across the North West. We can assist you with all aspects of the wedding planning process, from venue selection to decorating on the day.
How to find a wedding venue on a budget
You and your partner should discuss your wedding budget at the beginning of your engagement. When planning your dream wedding, it becomes very easy to pay a little more for things. Over time, this can end up costing you more than you wanted. You should agree on a budget with your partner and then select any amount you are willing to go over, if at all.
Some wedding venues may be able to offer you discounts or packages based on when you get married. For example, weekday weddings can often end up costing less than a Saturday wedding. Additionally, you can plan a winter wedding on a smaller budget. This is because most couples tend to book weddings in the warmer months.
Booking a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean it needs to be any less special; it just means you may need to shop around a little more. Don’t forget that some prices aren’t set in stone, so you may be able to come to an arrangement.
Who to bring to look at a wedding venue
There are usually no set rules on who you should bring with you to view a wedding venue. Some people choose just to have themselves and their future husband or wife. Other couples may want to invite close members of the wedding party, like bridesmaids, best men or parents.
The best advice we can give is to let the wedding venue know how many people are attending. Most venues will be able to accommodate you. If not, you could just go with your partner to the initial viewing and then invite other family members when you are confident that the venue is an option.
You’ll want to bring people along who are interested and can offer helpful advice. You want to make sure that you feel comfortable asking all of the important questions that you may have. You don’t want to leave somewhere and think, ‘I wish I had just asked that!’
How to narrow down your wedding venue search
So, you’ve got a few options for your venue, but how do you find the perfect wedding venue?
The best way to narrow down your venues is to consider which elements are the most important to you. Once you have listed 3 – 5 criteria, you can start taking venues off the list. Two venues may be very similar in price, but one may have better opportunities for wedding photographs. This may be the kind of aspect that it boils down to.
Another factor that many couples are drawn to is the ability to stay overnight at the venue. Some reception venues will not offer this due to simply not being a hotel. Some couples find it much easier for them and their guests if they can stay over at the venue.
If you end up stuck between two venues, it might be worth booking a viewing at them both again. This can refresh your memory and give you a better idea. You may find that you can imagine yourself much more easily in one venue than in another.
You could also look online for wedding inspiration in the venue. This gives you an idea of what could be achieved, and you may be able to see which venue is more your style.
Top tips for selecting your dream venue
- Consider potential venues in detail before you look. You may find other venue hire options you hadn’t thought of before
- Stick to a realistic budget when wedding planning, and make sure you ask about additional fees or hidden costs
- Assess all the elements each venue offers for your big day
- Plan your guest list carefully, and invite the right people
- Work out which parts of your wedding you’re not willing to compromise on
- Ask questions to your wedding planner, venue staff and others
Questions to ask your wedding venues
- Is it an exclusive hire venue?
- How many guests can we have? This may be different for the ceremony and the reception venue.
- What are the entertainment options for friends and family? How much space is there for a dance floor or photo booths?
- Do we source our own suppliers?
- Is there a bridal suite to get ready in?
- Are there any catering options?
- How does the bar work? Can we have an open bar?
It’s so important that you choose a wedding venue that you feel comfortable in. The venue should be in line with the rest of your wedding. Once you find the perfect venue, you’ll likely get a special feeling. When you get the feeling, you’ll know it’s the right venue for you.
We hope this blog has been useful on how to find the right wedding venue. Our team of wedding planners are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. So get in touch with us today to find out how we can support you with your dream wedding planning journey.
