He went down on one knee and proposed. You said yes. And now, you’ll start your journey towards ‘happily ever after.’
Planning your big day is one of the first things you’ll do as a newly engaged couple. Since choosing the perfect wedding venue might be your first major decision together, it’s best to start on the right foot!
Whether you already have the perfect place in mind, or you are just starting to think about the options, here are three important questions to ask yourself before deciding where you’ll say, “I do.”
Who’s attending?
The best way to start your search is by preparing an approximate guest list. That way, you can shortlist places based on their capacity. You wouldn’t want an overcrowded room, nor a location which is too big for your intimate group of guests. If you desire an intimate wedding, a garden marquee may work best for you. Conversely, countryside hotels may be your go-to option if you’re looking for a venue with a large capacity.
Consider the travel arrangements of your guests. If people are flying in from all over the world, a luxury inner-city hotel with great transport links might be more sensible than a remote countryside mansion.
What’s our style?
Marriage is symbolic of the amalgamation of two personalities. The theme of your wedding should reflect your personality as a couple.
If you’re outdoorsy, you can consider parklands, gardens or even a medieval castle! If you are all for grandeur and magnificence, a historic Tudor or Georgian style English manor house may be your thing. If you prefer to think outside the box, you could consider vineyards, theatres or even aquariums!
How much do we want to spend?
Planning a wedding can be expensive, so set aside a budget. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should compromise on your dream wedding. There are plenty of ways to combine fairytale magic with great value. While venues on the coast or stately homes may prove costly, opting for a simpler countryside setting could bring down your expenses.
Remember, if you don’t ask you don’t get, so make sure to inquire about any deals that the venue can offer.
Non-negotiable considerations
After you have answered these three basic questions, you can make a shortlist of your preferred venues. However, there are some finer details to consider. The following factors might prove to be deal-breakers.
Food and music
Confirm if the venue can cater to the type of cuisine you want or if they will permit your favourite band to play at your wedding.
Lighting
Lighting may first appear too trivial to be a deal-breaker, but you cannot underestimate the importance of good lighting. You need a well-lit venue for a great wedding photo album. If possible, discuss this aspect with your wedding photographer. After all, your wedding day comes just once in your life, but the pictures stay with you forever!
It’s best to choose venues with plenty of natural light from large windows which will illuminate the bride and groom. This point is especially important for the rooms holding the service and wedding breakfast. Soft natural lighting is by far the most flattering – the more, the better. Avoid smaller venues with low ceilings, downlighters or spotlights as these can be extremely unflattering.
An often-overlooked consideration is access for the photographer. Avoid venues which will restrict the photographer’s ability to move into different shooting positions during the service or the reception. If your photographer cannot move, the variety of images will be severely limited. The better the access your photographer has, the better your images will be.
Make multiple visits to the venue
It is especially important to visit outdoor venues more than once. How does it appear at different times of the day? Can you imagine the seating arrangements?
These are just some of the many factors to consider. Make a list of everything important to you and discuss it with the in-house venue coordinator before paying a deposit.
Visualise the day
One final trick is to visualise your wedding day at the venue you’ve chosen. Does the image spark joy? Just like the right wedding dress, the perfect wedding venue will feel just right! The venue impacts all other aspects of your wedding planning. So, keep an open mind and enjoy the process.
Happy planning!
