How To Choose A Wedding Venue
How To Find Your Perfect Wedding Venue
Trying to choose the perfect venue for your wedding can be one of the toughest decisions you have to make. Let’s be honest, it’s the foundation for all your wedding plans. So when it comes to choosing one, how do you know you’ve made the right choice?
I remember when my wife and I were looking for wedding venues, there was so much choice. How many should you visit? How do you know when you’ve found the right venue?
But more than that, there’s the small details that can get lost when you’re searching for that dream location.
This is why, I’ve put together a fully comprehensive list of everything that you should consider. Think of it as a check list.
For some people, finding the perfect venue is an easy choice, but let’s make sure you’re not leaving anything left to consider on the table.
Number of Venues/Locations
Did you know that for a typical Wedding, there are actually 6 points in a day that open up the option for a different venue or location? Whilst the typical wedding is at 1 - 3 locations. It’s entirely possible to go to 6.
These 6 points in time for a different Venue/Location are:
Morning Preparations (x2 - 1 for each partner)
Ceremony
Wedding Breakfast
Evening Reception
Bed (If all goes well this will be 1 for both partners)
Now, most people for ease would pick 1 or 2 venues/locations to accommodate the above list. That could be because your getting married in a church for example, or that the venue has limited functionality/capacity for morning preparations for both partners OR perhaps you choose to remain apart in the morning. Or let’s be honest, just keeping it simple. The choice is entirely yours but the option is there.
Now let’s break down the list a little further and discuss the nitty gritty of what you need to consider when choosing each venue.
Morning Preparations
I’ve broken this section down into 6 key focus areas:
Location
Practicality
Space
Features
Cost
Lighting
Location:
There are a few things to think about when it comes to location of your Morning Preparations. Especially if you are planning to have the Ceremony and/or evening reception in a different location. You’ll need to consider how far away it will be from the ceremony, or even how far it is from your base location. Remember that any travelling time throughout the day really needs to be factored into your Timeline and don’t forget to account for busy traffic periods throughout the day or any roadworks that may be happening. It’s good idea to utilise something such as Google maps which caters for such things and can divert you another way where possible.
Your location also needs to be considered for all those you are planning to attend. So think of any people who may have mobility issues or vendors that may be travelling a distance. Whilst I’m sure they latter shouldn’t be an issue, it’s definitely best to double check first, especially as there may be an extra cost involved.
Practicality:
When it comes to the practicality of your chosen venue, it’s good idea to be thinking of ease of access, take into account traveling times, not only from your base location, but also onwards to the ceremony. Remember if these locations are spaced out quite far, it could mean allowing a lot of travelling time, therefore reducing your actual available time in getting ready.
Also, whether you choose to wear a dress or a suit, be sure to think about the practicality of getting from point A to B and if you aren’t someone who packs lightly, now might be good time to rope in family and friends to help transport things.
Space:
How big is your bridal party? Will the Make Up artist, Hair Stylist, Videographer and Photographer have enough room. Will you have enough room if you just want to have 5 mins to yourself. During your morning prep it’s always nice to have a chill out space, to just take 5 whenever you need.
Features:
Features seems like such a strange subheading when it comes to picking your wedding venue. But, when it comes to the Morning Preparation, here’s a few things to consider:
Number and location of sockets - Your hair stylist and make up artist are going to thank you for this one.
Showers/ Changing Area - If you want to get into your suit or dress in peace, is that an adequate space to do so
Fridge - You’re going to want to keep that bubbly cool or even somewhere to store your milk for Breakfast
Coffee Machine - If you’re quite particular over your morning coffee, this may well be a must (Other options may be keeping a close eye for a nearby cafe.
Kitchen Area - Plan on cooking up or preparing a breakfast feast for your party, you’ll need the space.
Pre-night stay - Do you have the option to stay the night before the Wedding. This could save a lot of time on the day and put you at ease for a good night sleep knowing everything is in place.
Somewhere to hand the dress - Often overlooked, but you’re not going to want to stuff your dress in a wardrobe.
Cost:
Arguably the biggest factor to consider. Only you can decide by weighing up the pro’s and cons of utilising a venue for your Morning preparations. Hopefully this article helps with that decision.
Lighting:
Your makeup artist and hair stylist are going to thank you ten fold if your venue has nice big window. A lot of venues use warmer bulbs and whilst this gives off a nice glow and sets a nice mood. It’s going to make getting your skin looking flawless quite difficult.
(Bonus Tip: A lot of MUA’s do now carry their own lighting for this purpose. But honestly, speaking purely from a Photographers perspective, often these can be equally bad in terms of quality of light. A lot of them are small and compact and the light they give off can be very harsh).
Ceremony
If your venue was that foundation of your Wedding, the Ceremony is the base of your timeline. It’s probably the first thing that you’re going to put on your timeline. Whether that’s a late afternoon ceremony leading straight into the evening or an early morning start leaving the rest of the day to do whatever you want, wherever you want.
But i’d encourage you to look at it as your foundational location. This is the location you need to factor in distance to where you’re getting ready, distance to where the Wedding breakfast or party is at and any pottential location that you may want for some couple photographs.
As above with the Morning preparations, I’ve broken it down into 5 sections:
Size
Type
Time
Location
Taste
Size:
Believe it or not, size matters, especially when you consider where you’re holding your ceremony and how many guests you are planning on inviting.
(Bonus Tip: Look at the top of the aisle - Where you’ll both be standing. is there enough room for the 2 of you? For your Videographer? Your Photographer? Any decor that you may wish to add? - Flower walls, arches, etc)
Type:
Are you thinking Religious, Civil, Humanist. Each of these are going to present different options for you when it comes to picking the venue for your ceremony.
(Bonus Tip: There may be some venues that don’t take so kindly to Videographers or Photographers throughout the ceremony, if this is important to you, be sure to ask)
Time:
As touched on above, this is the foundation for your wedding timeline, everything will be built around this time, so it’s important you give this some consideration.
Location:
Things to consider:
Travel time (to and from)
Ease of access
Car parking
Public Transport
Photographic Backdrops
Meaning - A lot of people choose venues that are close to their heart
Taste:
Ultimately when it comes down to picking your ceremony location, it all boils down to your individual taste, when you like, what you don’t like. Outdoors? Indoors? a Barn? a Country House? Something Grand? Something Small? Something Private? Something Adventurous?
Wedding Breakfast
If you’re not planning on having a wedding breakfast, feel free to skip over this section. If you are, here’s 5 things to consider
Decor
Location
Style
Food
Size
Decor:
When it comes to choosing where to hold your Wedding breakfast, take a look around the room and ask yourself just how much extra decor do you think you may need? There’s a lot of venues out there that are going to require very minimal touches and there’s also a lot out there that are blank canvases, free to allow your creative side to go wild and really make it your own
(Bonus tip: Try to visit the venue around the same time of year you plan to get married, particularly important around the holidays - Halloween, Christmas. Easter. A lot of venues like to be dressed for these times of year and if you’re planning your wedding around a similar time, you want to ensure exactly what decor they intend to use.)
Location:
Location plays a key role in Venue choice regardless of what part of the day, so you’re going to see a recurring theme. However, If you are choosing to have a Wedding breakfast then you’ll need to consider it’s distance from the ceremony location. Sometimes this is the adjacent room, sometimes it’s even the same room, but it can also be miles away.
(Bonus tip: Consider the travelling time when choosing your location if you’re travelling from the Ceremony location. You’ll need to factor that in along side with any group photographs or couple photographs you might be planning on having).
Style:
The style of. avenue very much ties in with the decor that you may be wanting. Alternatively, you can go against the grain and mis-match the style to the decor, but unless you know what you ware doing, I’d personally avoid that one.
So are you looking for something open air? A bit of Al-fresco dining? Something rustic? Something with character? Industrial? Wooden? Classic? Modern? Timeless? Are you wanting something that’s full of ambianc, romantic lighting? Or something more light and spacious?
Is the layout how you like it? Often venues can move around tables to your liking, they may even offer different shaped tables to better accommodate your guest numbers. Circular, rectangular? Top table to not?
(Bonus tip: The choice in Style is what is going to show in your photographs and/or video when you look back. A good photographer is going to capture the moments matching the aesthetic to the room. If your room is bright and white, don’t expect much shadow or light play and vice versa).
Food:
Now we get on to the good stuff. Your venue may well dictate the type of food you can have. This could be because of either they offer a simple menu, or that the choice in catering is limited. If you have specific food or catering that you are looking for, it’s always a good idea to check first with the venue that this is ok. Whilst all venues will cater for Vegan/Vegetarian/GF and any dietary requirements or allergies that you may have. The choice could be a limiting factor.
(Bonus tip: try to find out if they offer taster days, where you can sample the menu. It’s really important here that the food is what you are looking for. It’s a core meal of the day and by the time it comes round you’re going to have a lot of hungry guests). - Also, statistically, it’s one of the most talked about aspects from your guests about your wedding.
Size:
Similar to the ceremony, you need to think about how big the room is. Can it accommodate all your guests? Comfortably? Making sure to allow room for chairs going in and out, guests nipping to the bar/toilet and any table service that may be being offered. Go too small and your guests may not enjoy their meal. too large and you may feel like you’re rattling around.
(Bonus tip: Wedding open days are a GREAT time to view a setup of a typical wedding breakfast. Venues often hold a couple of these throughout the year and I would highly recommend visiting during this time. You’ll get a far better feel of the room layout and it also gives you plenty of opportunity to ask questions).
Evening Reception
When it comes to picking your Evening reception, a lot of the above applies. Size, Style, Locationand Food but there are 2 other things to consider:
Entertainment
Alcohol
Entertainment:
Whether you’re wanting a Band, a DJ, a Magician or even something as extravagant as Fireworks. It’s important to check what your options are. Especially when it comes to something such as Fireworks. Some venues will allow them whilst other’s may not have the capacity to do so. Some venues come with a supplied DJ as part of their packages, you’ll want to make sure they can accommodate your requests. If this is important to you, ask.
(Bonus Tip: If the venue are including a DJ, be sure to get contact details so you can run through any requests or questions you may have directly with them. The last thing you want on the night is to find out that your DJ isn’t taking requests - Speaking from experience).
Alcohol:
Ahhh yes, the nectar of the Gods… the ‘fun stuff’ as some might put it. Make sure they have what you’re wanting (think specifically about anything on tap you might like) or if you can bring your own bottles, check for a corkage fee.
(Bonus tip: Make sure you confirm what time last orders will be. There’s nothing worse than planning on partying to the early hours only to find the bar closes at 10pm).
Bed
Finally, it’s that time of night. After a really long day, packed full of adrenaline, nerves and excitement… and possibly a little too much alcohol you’re going to want somewhere to rest your head. Do you want to be calling a taxi late at night? (Or do you want your guests doing this?) and be sure to check what time you need to be gone the next day. There’s nothing worse than an early check out the morning after the night before.
(Bonus Tip: If your guests are to be getting taxi’s be sure to supply them with a few local taxi numbers and recommend that they pre-book way in advance, making sure it’s a reputable company. A wedding I attended had all guests pile out at the end of a night and unfortunately they ended up waiting hours for taxi’s to arrive because the demand was just too high).
If you got this far, thank you for reading and I hope this helped prepare you for choosing your perfect wedding venue.
If you’re looking for ideas on where to start, I’ve written a blog of the Top Wedding Venues in Shropshire. You can read that here