Choosing Your Wedding Venue

Image Credit: Weddings By Anesta(opens in new tab)

Securing the perfect wedding venue will be top of many engaged couples to do list. With an overwhelming number of options to choose from, it’s easy to see how couples can become exhausted and often deflated at not finding the perfect venue immediately.

When beginning the search for your wedding venue be sure to have a clear idea of your wedding budget(opens in new tab) and guest numbers. This will immediately set you on the right track and save you time researching and visiting venues that do not meet your requirements. Not to mention the the utter heartbreak of falling in love with a venue that is not within budget, or unable to accommodate your guest list.

In addition to the above, having a clear idea of the style of wedding(opens in new tab) you would like to host will also ensure that you only consider venues that are in keeping with your vision. If your thinking classic elegance you may wish to consider a stately home, county estate or an elegant sailcloth or traditional pole marquee(opens in new tab). Both of which lend themselves as the perfect classic blank canvas to be styled as you choose.

If on the other hand you are looking to host a relaxed and informal affair incorporating casual dining and copious amounts of styling, then a dry hire(opens in new tab) barn venue may be just what you are looking for.

Image Credit: Weddings By Anesta  (opens in new tab)

Image of Old Brook Barn(opens in new tab)

The season in which you would like to marry can also have a huge impact on your venue shortlist, with some venues such as rustic barns limiting their availability to dates within the summer months. Whilst other venues with their roaring log fires and interior colour scheme can be the obvious choice for a winter wedding.(opens in new tab)

In addition to the above, there are also a number of not so obvious factors that should be considered before you finalise your shortlist of potential venues to visit. With top of the list being a venues limits on children attending weddings. (opens in new tab)

 Children at your wedding

It is becoming increasingly common for wedding venues to request children do not attend your wedding, or ask that you limit the number of children to a figure suggested by the venue.  Whilst some couples may welcome this as an excuse not to extend the invitation to include children, other couples who are looking to host a family friendly celebration may find that this restriction forces them to discount a venue immediately.

Image Credit: Terri & Lori Fine Art Studio & Film(opens in new tab)

Disabled access

Most venues will be able to offer disabled access, often providing ramps and disabled washroom facilities on the ground floor.  However, you should also check whether or not they offer disabled access to every part of the venue. It is important to remember that sometimes you have to revert to a plan B on your wedding day.  If this means bringing your outdoor ceremony inside, can disabled guests access the part of the venue where the ceremony would be held.

Some couples discount looking into disabled access as their guests do not require such facilities.  However, you should remember some weddings are booked 18 months in advance, so guests needs could change throughout this time.

 Sound limitations

Perhaps not the most obvious question to ask a wedding venue.  However, if you have your heart set on a six piece band entertaining your guests throughout your evening reception, then top of your list of questions should be whether or not they have a sound limiter. If they do, investigate further to find out what level they have their limiter set at and consider speaking to potential bands/performers to draw upon their experience of sound limiters set at this level.

 

Image Credit: Boutique Wedding Films(opens in new tab)

I do hope that the information within this blog post has helped you to short list your potential wedding venues. If however you feel that you could benefit from working with a planner and are planning your wedding(opens in new tab) or special celebration(opens in new tab) within Essex, Suffolk, Kent, Hertfordshire or Cambridgeshire please do get in touch.

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