Top Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Venue
Choosing a wedding venue is one of the hardest parts of wedding planning. There are so many different things to consider. From the location to the capacity, from the amenities to the flexibility, there are decisions that need to suit both you and your guests. In order to help, we've come up with a handy two-stage guide; a selection of questions to ask yourselves and our top ten questions for your shortlist of venues. This process can take some time and is a large part of your wedding budget. It's therefore definitely something to consider carefully. So, grab a cuppa, or a glass of wine, get comfy, and talk venues!
Hopefully this will give you a good idea of what the questions you should ask, and help you to actually pick your venue. Good luck with finding your venue...let the wedding planning commence!
Stage One
What do you need
The first thing is to decide on a budget and have a rough guest count before you start looking. What would really help is have a sliding scale of lowest to highest budget, as will having a few guests that you can remove if push comes to shove. For more advice on this matter, we've got an article on how to select your guest list (link to page) to help you out. This will allow a bit of wriggle room if you stumble across something you really love that may be slightly over budget. Some brilliant advice: never forget to discuss location. Is getting married in a certain part of the world essential to you? then you'll need to narrow your wedding venue search, and perhaps consider having your ceremony and reception at different venues.
Make a priority list that suits both of your needs. Do you think accommodation on site is really important to you? Do you want exclusivity for a certain time period? Can you use a certain caterer, can you bring in your own wine, are you allowed real burning candles, and is there a late bar?
If there is anything that you really want on your day, then make sure it's on the list. Also, things that you're not willing to compromise on, make sure you have some that you're happy to not have if required not allowed. Finding the right wedding venue for you is perfectly achievable, but you have to be open-minded.
Stage Two
Top Ten Questions to Ask
Once you are both in agreement about your budget spend, the guest numbers and an geographical area you want to be wed in, you can start your search.
There are thousands on the internet to start off the search and to inspire you. These will have a photo gallery which will allow you to see inside potential venues and gives you an indication if they may suit you.
As you are looking at the venues, start making a list and then when you have finishes, start cutting down the list to about six or so, it'll help you not to waste time.
Once you have visited them if you so wish and find they are not what you want, go to the next venues in your list and so.
I’m not done yet, to help you find your perfect wedding venue, I thought I’d compile a list for you.
Without further ado, these are the top ten questions I think you should ask.
Question One
What is the capacity for wedding receptions? And how many people can stay on-site?
One of the top questions should be is that everyone can fit.
The ceremonies can get away with some people standing, but definitely not in the reception rooms unless you're having a very informal dining arrangement.
Being able to accommodate guests on-site can make a wedding truly special. If this important to you, have a talk with your wedding venue about the room setups.
If it's not important to you, then make sure to ask your venue about local Hotels and B&Bs for those guests coming from further afield.
Question Two
Can we hold our legal ceremony here?
Unsurprisingly, the actual getting-married-legally part is fairly crucial.
Ask if they are a licensed venue. If you can't get married legally onsite, then you'll need to get married legally before or after your celebrations at your local registry office.
Question Three
Have you an exclusive-use venue? or how long do we have the venue for?
You need to ask if the venue is exclusively for your wedding day, this question could be important to some in case they have multiple functions inside the venue.
This could mean you are on a time schedule and there is no room for errors. Some venues or hotels may offer parts of the building exclusively, but most are for exclusive use.
Question Four
Always ask exactly what is included in the price of hiring the venue?
It' is very important to make sure you know exactly what you're paying for.
Some venues will have additional services you can add on, such as their choice of caters, the way they set up the room or even the decor.
Ask lots of questions and also ask for it in writing and carefully read the contract before you sign, so everything is crystal clear.
Question Five
Have they got a preferred supplier list or are we allowed to choose suppliers of our choice?
This can vary from venue to venue. Some are happy to work with any suppliers you chose (florists, caterers, wedding planners etc), but some try and specify who you can work with.
Make sure you know any details of preferred supplier relationships and whether these are flexible or obligational.
You don't want to have to forgo your dream photographer or DJ etc for the sake of your venue. and vice versa.
Question Six
Have they any noise restrictions?
If you're having a big party, this is a very important question.
Some venues may have noise restrictions, and this can either be a time or noise level or both. If you want to turn up the volume and break some moves, late into the night.
Don't forget to ask about if a late licence is needed and if that is included or an extra.
Question Seven
Who is responsible for cleaning up after the party and disposing of the rubbish?
Normally the in-house team will take care of this.
If you can, choose a wedding venue that has a wedding co- ordination team who will look after this.
Double-check, that this is also in the price given.
Question Eight
Is there a bar onsite? If not, do you charge corkage?
Having a bar onsite can make things much easier. equally, however, being able to bring in your own booze allows for more personal choice and potential cost savings.
Check whether you can pay for an open bar up front, or if the alcohol is paid for by guests (or perhaps a mix of the two).
If you're bringing your own, find out what the corkage fees (this is a charge that some will charge to open your bottle of wine and serve it to you) also how you are to dispose of the empties.
Question Nine
Are we allowed to burn candles on site?
A lot of venues no longer allow real candles because of the fire risks and health and safety concerns, but candlelight adds a certain ambiance to the party on your big day.
Not all venues ban them but naturally many older buildings have bans on candles, so be sure to check, especially if this is really important to you.
Question Ten
Does the quote include VAT?
When you get the quote, VAT can be a nasty shock.
Make sure you check whether or not your wedding venue charges VAT.
If they do, ask whether it's included in the quote that they have given or not.
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