Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue

Congratulations! You’re getting married! Now the preparations for the big day commence. Of course, the main part of any wedding is a perfect wedding venue, and every couple wants theirs to be amazing. But how do you make sure you’ve chosen the best one that suits your requirements? Once you’ve picked a venue everything else revolves around it. From the décor, the flowers, the vibe, and especially the photographs.

To help you choose the perfect wedding venue for your big day we have put together a guide to the different kinds of venues available. But first, there are a few factors to consider before you even start looking at possible options.

Factors to Consider Before you Choose a Wedding Venue

• When is your wedding?

Some venues suit different seasons, for example, a National Trust house with expansive gardens will be ideal for a summer wedding. However, having said that, don’t rule it out for a winter wedding as prices might well drop in the colder months.

• How big is the wedding party?

The number of guests will impact on your choice of wedding venue. If your guest list is over 150 people you are looking at a hotel or somewhere exclusive that can cater for larger numbers. If the number is around 50 or lower – restaurants, private establishments or even your own home are suitable venues.

• What is your budget?

This probably has the biggest impact apart from the number of guests. There are lots of different ways to cut costs at a wedding. You can be hands-on and do a lot of the work yourself and save money that way. Or you can opt for a wedding package and get discounts from the wedding provider.

• Think about your theme.

How can the venue fit in with your theme? For example, if you and your partner are a modern couple then an art gallery or industrial warehouse building might suit. For those who love sports how about a cricket pavilion and a couple who prefer luxury might like a 5-star hotel?

• Run through the flow of the day.

Doing a run-through of the day will pinpoint any other questions that might crop up. For instance, does the venue provide a wedding officiant or celebrant? Is the ceremony and reception in the same room? If so, what’s the turnover time? Does the venue have a contingency plan if it rains on the day?

Options for the Perfect Wedding Venue

Hotel Wedding Venues

Hotels have become more popular for couples and it’s easy to see why. They are convenient, cost-effective and easy to plan.

Pros for Hotel Wedding Venues

• There’s an in-house wedding planner to help with all your requirements.
• The hotel will already have their own catering staff onsite with menu options at competitive prices.
• The hotel can provide accommodation for your guests.
• They can also come up with package deals for the whole wedding so you know exactly how much you need to budget for.

Cons for Hotel Wedding Venues

• You won’t be able to change much of the hotel’s décor to suit your wedding theme.
• Hotels can have a fast turnover of weddings during the summer weeks and you might not have as much time as you’d like to prepare your space.
• You might be restricted in the food you want to serve your guests as the hotel might offer a limited range from their kitchens.
• There will be other guests there and you cannot control any nuisance behaviour.

Private Wedding Venues

There are all kinds of private wedding venues from castles, museums, town halls, private gardens, rooftop bars, restaurants, historic houses and mansions, even golf clubs.

Pros of Exclusive Wedding Venues

• The choice is amazing. You have a wealth of options at your fingertips. There are venues with character, history, the wow factor, everything you need to make your wedding an incredible day.
• You will usually have space to yourself or at least a number of rooms for your own private use. This means you can relax and enjoy your day.
• Most exclusive venues are privately-owned which means the owner has a vested interest in making sure you have a great time.

Cons of Exclusive Wedding Venues

• Sometimes the scale of the venue doesn’t fit in with your guest numbers. These types of venues tend to be massive or small, not in-between. This can make it tricky for an average wedding party.
• Private venues rely on the wedding couple to organise the caterers, décor, flowers, etc. so you may have little input or help from the owners.
• Some parts of the venue may be off limits as it might be the owner’s home or a listed building. Guests, therefore, need to be careful that no accidents or damage occurs.

Restaurant/Pub Wedding Venues

These types of wedding venues are also becoming more popular for those couples on a tighter budget who don’t want a flashy wedding.

Pros of Restaurant/Pub Wedding Venues

• These are great for smaller numbers of wedding guests and the food is much more varied.
• The atmosphere is more relaxed and convivial and perfect for couples who want a more intimate vibe.
• The cost is reflected as you are not paying for expensive hotel prices.

Cons of a Restaurant/Pub Wedding Venue

• A wedding in a pub doesn’t feel like such a big deal as it does in a nice hotel.
• You might not get a dance floor in a restaurant or pub which spoils the evening reception if you’re having one.
• There’s no accommodation for guests and the night finishes when the restaurant closes.

There are lots of options when it comes to the perfect wedding venue. We hope our guide has at least helped you decide the perfect one for you and your partner and helps makes your day extra special.