Wedding Venue
So this week in the wedding guide We are going to be looking at wedding venues.
Wedding venues are one of the few aspects of the wedding day I’m always hesitant to give a recommendation. it’s not because I don’t have a favourite wedding venue because I have quite a few. But what made a perfect venue for one couple does not guarantee it will be right for you.
A lot of couples find it helps to sit down and talk about what they want from the day. Very quickly a few things will probably come up: what type of wedding you want and who you want to attend. You might also have a few ideas about what you don’t want. Take a note of all of them, including what you don’t like, because they will really help you choose the right venue. Deciding on a budget if you haven’t already can also help you choose suitable venues.
When it comes to the type of wedding you want, the ceremony often determines what you really need from a venue. Do you want to get married in a church/ religious building/registry office or do you want everything in one venue? Some venues assume that you will hold your ceremony with them and include it in the price, they may offer a discount but double check otherwise you’ll end up paying for it twice. Having everything in one venue can definitely make the day easier and a lot of venues offer ceremony rooms or the option to have the ceremony outside (weather permitting!) to make it really special. Double check costs as additional rooms may come with a fee or they may only allow outdoor ceremonies when the ground is really dry.
The people you want to share your day with can be a big influence for the type of venue, for example, if you have a lot of children coming it might make sense to look at a venue that’s family friendly, perhaps one with lots of space outside or one that allows you to bring in things like a bouncy castle!
One consideration that most couples need to make is accommodating guests with additional needs. A really accessible location with everything on one level or a flexible menu which caters for complicated dietary requirements can make all the difference. I’ve been to some fantastic weddings and events where the staff and venue are really accommodating, and it just makes the whole day that bit easier. It would be wonderful if all venues were this considerate but don’t take it for granted. If you are unsure about how suitable it is, speak to your guest before you book and find out what they need to allow them to attend and enjoy your day.
The key to your final decision will be which venue ticks the most boxes and quite often a compromise. Remember that ultimately, this is your day and the venue that feels just right is almost certainly the best for you.
