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There are hundreds of wedding venues in the UK ranging from converted barns to romantic castles to 18th century manor houses steeped in history. Whatever your dream venue, there is something out there for you. It’s just a matter of finding it.
There are plenty of websites to give you a helping hand when you start your hunt such as www.weddingvenues.com and www.findaweddingvenue.co.uk but nothing beats visiting the venue itself. Its right what they say, you will know instantly if the venue is right for you.
So what do you need to consider when you visit a venue? Price will always play a large role in any decision of this size however there are plenty of other things to consider when picking your dream wedding venue. A few of which we have detailed below:
Location: Where is the venue situated? Is it easy to reach by both road and rail and where is it located in relation to the majority of your guests? You also need to consider if there is limited or no accommodation onsite, how close is the venue to additional accommodation? And does the venue provide a complimentary bedroom to the bride and groom on their wedding night?
If you have opted for a non-civil ceremony offsite, what is the proximity of the church or registry office to the venue?
Capacity: How large are the function rooms at the venue and how many can it seat for a wedding reception, evening reception and in some cases, civil ceremony? Some venues offer the option of placing a marquee in the grounds to accommodate extra guest but this may incur an additional cost. If you do decide on a marquee option, its worth considering the impact should you experience bad weather on the day e.g. if the toilets are located outside the marquee etc.
Caterers: Does the venue have an in house catering team you must use and what are their prices/menus like? Do you have to pay for cutlery, glassware and crockery hire?
Alternatively can you bring in your own caterers and will you be charged a kitchen hire charge or premium for this privilege?
It is always wise to meet and discuss your requirements face-to-face with your caterer before signing any agreements. Some caterers offer tasting and if in doubt, look for reviews on the internet to put your mind at ease.
Picture opportunity: Are there plenty of suitable spots to take photographs both indoors and outside? Photographs provide a lasting memory of the day so don’t be disappointed by checking out suitable locations and features within the grounds and venue in advance.
Time of year: Does your venue lend itself to a particular season? If you are viewing venues for a winter wedding during the summer, don’t be lured by the gardens and outdoor space as it is unlikely you will get chance to use it.
Payment policy: How much is the venue and when do they require payment? Most venues require a deposit up front but when is the balance due and are their any payment plans available? Have you read the terms and conditions to ensure there are no hidden charges which might surprise you further down the line?
Once you have collected all this information it is best to feed it all into a spreadsheet and compare each venue on its merits and price. You’ll be surprised to find that those venues which initially appear to be the cheapest, more often that not work out the same as the others when you add all the extras in.
If you are working to a small budget read our article on organising a wedding on a tight budget and don’t forget to take out wedding insurance to cover instances such as supplier cancellations, failure to receive photographs and damage to your dress.
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