Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the happiest days of your life, so finding the right wedding venue is crucial to delivering your dream day, so we’ve got Sarah Spreckley of Total Location Confidence Ltd to offer you her top tips…
You’ve probably been told several times that your venue search ought to be at the top of your priority list when planning your day and there’s a very good reason that this! Your wedding venue‘s availability will often dictate your wedding date, your guest list and maybe even the style of your wedding.
Before you jump in and head to every venue within 100 miles, here’s 5 things to consider before you say ‘I do’ to your venue…
Do you want a civil ceremony or church wedding?
Venues are required to hold special licences in order to host legally-binding ceremonies, so if you choose to hold the ceremony and reception at the same place, this will reduce your options.
Deciding what type of ceremony you would like will highlight the area in which you should look for a venue, as your wedding reception venue should ideally be no more than a 15 minute radius from the church. An easy way to find a list of registered wedding ceremony venues is to search your local council’s website.
Decide on a budget
Working out a budget early on will help you to shortlist potential wedding venues. Sit down together, or with your parents if they’re going to contribute, and work out what you can afford to spend.
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What time of year do you want to tie the knot?
The majority of weddings in the UK take place in spring or summer, to benefit from a higher chance of sunshine! However, we all know that British weather can be a little unpredictable and isn’t always on our side. If you have you heart set on a summer wedding, be sure to check the venue is prepared for all eventualities, including shelter from both scorching sunshine and pouring rain.
It’s worth bearing in mind that winter weddings are becoming more and more popular as venues are often able to negotiate better packages during these quieter months.
Wedding guests
Have a rough idea of guest numbers before you start looking for a wedding venue, or be prepared to alter your guest list. This should avoid the disappointment of visiting a beautiful wedding venue only to find it is too big or too small for your wedding. It’s also worth bearing in mind where your guests will be coming from – is accommodation on site needed for you, your family, and your guests?
Seek expert advice
If you still feel like you’d like some help searching for a venue, a free venue finding service like ours can help – simply tell us your requirements and we will source the best options in your chosen location at the best price. Have a look at t-l-cuk.com for example!
Now let the search begin! Have a look through some of our beautiful real weddings to see what you’re after, and why not check out some of the quirkiest venues our brides have had on their big day?
