So, you are getting married, but are struggling to decide which venue to book for your reception. There is plenty of choice, but you are finding it hard to narrow down the options and are worried about forgetting something important and booking the right venue.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below we explain what you need to consider and provide you with some simple tips to help you focus on what really matters when choosing the perfect venue for your wedding.
Table of Contents – 6 Great tips for choosing the perfect venue for your wedding
Put your guests first
If you have narrowed your options down to just a few venues but still can´t decide which one to book, simply ask – “which one is best for our guests.” The guest-first approach is a simple way to cut through the fluff and make a final decision. Ensuring that your guests have a good time will also help you to enjoy your day more.
Location-specific considerations
OK, now let’s get into the practical details. Your first decision is to choose a venue. We suggest you make a list of what the perfect wedding reception location needs to offer. Here are some things to consider :
- Sufficient parking
- Ease of getting there e.g., the availability of public transport or a taxi service
- Availability of accommodation for you and your guests
- Local attractions for you and your guests to enjoy before and after the wedding
- The setting, you want a place that offers a nice backdrop for photos
- Outdoor space for the kids to play and wallflowers to get a bit of breathing space
- Sufficient space for any entertainment or activities you want to provide.
Capacity and layout
Make sure that the venue can comfortably accommodate the number of guests you are planning to invite. If you are holding the ceremony at the same place as your reception, ask what the capacity of that space is. Surprisingly, it is not unusual for that area to be much smaller than the dining room. Double-check that the seating arrangements are right for the seating plan you want to use.
If there will be dancing, check how big the dance floor is and make sure that there is somewhere quieter that people can go to get away from the music.
Catering
Getting the food and drink right can be tricky. In truth, you won´t please everyone, but you can make sure that their basic dietary needs are met. Most venues cater for food allergies and offer vegan and vegetarian options, but not all venues serve Kosher or Halal food. Always check these details and establish if any additional charges are involved.
Decoration considerations
How your venue is decorated has a big impact on the ambience and mood of your wedding reception. If you want it decorated to a theme, you need to make sure that this is an option and establish who will set everything up. Sometimes the venue will do it all for you. Other times if you want something a bit different you will have to provide the decorations and someone to put it all in place or to oversee the venue staff doing the work. Another alternative is to hire an events specialist who can help with putting together the perfect decorations for your event.
You also need to bear in mind the cost. If you want to turn a barn space into a high-end dining environment it may cost a lot to get to a desirable standard. In some cases, booking a luxury hotel that is already decorated to the standard you want will cost less. Whereas if you wanted a country-themed wedding the barn would probably be the cheaper and easier option.
Visit before you book
It is always wise to visit the venue before making your final booking. Explain to the venue owners that you want to do this and arrange a date and time to be shown around. Before you go, make a list of any questions you have and add any that pop into your head during the tour. At the end, ask them all and write down the answers you are given.
Only book the venue once you are sure it is the right one for your special day!
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