Finding the perfect location for your wedding is such an exciting part of wedding planning, but it can also feel like a daunting task. Your venue will form the backdrop of one of the most important days of your life. Every couple has a vision of their dream wedding location. Whether it’s a grand ballroom, a luxurious estate, a sunlit garden or a pet-friendly location, the choice is deeply personal and unique to you.
So, what are the main things you should think about? Let’s break it down with my top tips for choosing your wedding venue!
5 things to consider when choosing your Wedding Venue
- Visualising your style of venue
- Considering the comfort of your furry friends
- Deciding on the ideal location
- Evaluating the services and amenities
- Venue size and capacity
Visualising your style of venue
Let’s kick off this wedding venue journey by talking about style. Picture you and your partner standing in a place that feels so ‘you’ it could’ve been designed just for your big day. What does that look like? Are you imagining a grand and formal event, or something more laid back?
Your venue will be an extension of your personality as a couple, and it will set the tone for the whole day. So, it’s worth carefully considering what kind of vibe you’re going for. Are you drawn to historic architecture, or does minimalist decor make your heart flutter? Maybe you’re enchanted by the warmth of a venue, or the sleekness of a more modern one. There’s no right or wrong answer here! It’s all about what makes you and your partner feel like you’re in your element.
But here’s the thing, your venue will play a big part in other your wedding decisions. From the colours in your decorations to the style of your wedding outfits, your venue can influence it all. And we want everything to feel cohesive, right? So, when choosing your venue you want to consider a space that really complements your dream wedding vision, and it will be plain sailing from there.
Considering the comfort of your furry friends
Are you a couple who share their life with a beloved pet? Our pets are more than just animals, they’re family. When it comes to family, it’s only natural to want them by your side on your big day, right? So, how do we make this happen? The answer lies in finding a venue that rolls out the red carpet not just for you, but also for your four-legged besties.
There are plenty of incredible wedding venues out there that are more than happy to accommodate your pets!
Firstly, let’s chat about the venue’s pet policy. Do they have one? Are pets allowed in all areas of the venue or only specific parts? Is there an additional cost to bringing them? You’ll need to know these things to plan appropriately.
Next, let’s consider what facilities they have in place. Is there a quiet space for your pet to retreat to when the party gets a bit much? Do they have areas where your pet can relieve themselves? Having these boxes ticked can make your wedding day more comfortable and enjoyable, not just for you, but also for your pet.
In the end, remember that the best weddings are those that genuinely reflect you as a couple. If your furry friend is part of your family, don’t be shy to include them in your special day! There are plenty of dog friendly wedding venues to consider.
Click here for some ideas to include your pets at your wedding.
Deciding on the ideal location
So, where’s your wedding going to be? Do you want to be tying the knot amidst the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, or a chic celebration in the heart of a bustling city? The actual location of your venue is a big decision and sets the scene for your wedding.
Do you picture a romantic wedding in a charming English county like Buckinghamshire, Shropshire, or Cheshire? Or are you dreaming about a destination wedding on a beach in Greece, or a quaint château in France?
You should also consider the logistics when choosing your wedding venue location. How easy is it to get to the venue? Are there good transport links for your guests? Think about accommodation too. Are there enough places to stay nearby if guests wish to make a night of it? Or will everyone have to wrap things up and head home after the reception?
It’s worth giving some thought to how your location choice will determine the overall experience of your guests. Take your time, do your research, and choose a place that feels right for you.
Evaluating the services and amenities
So now you’ve got your style pinned down, a location in mind, and even figured out how your furry friend fits into the picture.
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, and look at the services and amenities the venue provides. This isn’t the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it’s so important!
Start by exploring the in-house offerings. Does the venue whip up their own culinary delights, or will you be looking for an external caterer? Do they have a great selection of tables and chairs, or will you be browsing rental catalogues for those essentials? It’s important to know these things in advance, because they can majorly influence your overall budget.
If you’re considering an outdoor wedding, how dreamy! But we all know how unpredictable weather can be. So if you’re going al fresco, be sure to check if the venue has a Plan B tucked away for any surprise showers.
Take your time and have a good look at what each venue offers. It’s all about the details when it comes to choosing your wedding venue. You want a place that’s not only picturesque but also practical, so don’t shy away from asking these important questions. After all, it’s your big day, and you deserve nothing but the best!
Venue size and capacity
Let’s take a moment to chat about the size and capacity of your potential wedding venue. This is a key aspect that can often get overlooked in the excitement of it all, but it’s something you definitely need to factor into your decision when choosing your wedding venue.
First things first, your chosen venue needs to comfortably fit your guest list. You don’t want your dear family and friends all squeezed in! On the other side, you don’t want a place so large that the crowd disperses instead of celebrating together! It’s all about striking a balance between cosy and spacious.
Secondly, think about the layout of the venue. For example, the dining area, the bar, and the all-important dancing space. Are these close together or far apart? Is there enough room between them? You and your guests will need to mingle and have fun, so make sure there’s enough space for all of this to comfortably happen.
Let’s not forget about the ambience too. A venue too big for an intimate wedding might feel a bit…empty. But on the other hand, if you’re going for a big, grand wedding, a smaller venue might feel too cramped and could spoil the celebration.
In a nutshell, the size and capacity of your venue are just as important as its style, location, and amenities. So be sure to put this on your venue hunting checklist.
Ready to choose your perfect Wedding Venue?
Now you have my top tips for choosing your wedding venue, you can go and carefully consider what type of location best suits your vision and needs. The space you choose heavily impacts your overall day when it comes to the look and feel of your wedding, so take your time finding the perfect place.
Now, you don’t want to choose the most dreamy wedding venue without a fun and reliable photographer to capture it all! I’m Chloe, a Shropshire wedding photographer documenting love stories all over the UK and abroad. If you want joyful and authentic images to remember your special day, get in touch with me here! I can’t wait to chat and give you gorgeous memories to treasure forever.
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