The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Venue for Your Wedding

It’s hard to say what the most important part of planning a wedding is, but choosing your venue is definitely up at the top. Without a venue, there won’t be much of a wedding. There are lots of different ideas on what makes the right wedding venue, though. For some, it’s something small and intimate. For others, it’s large and lavish. Settling on exactly what you want and finding the right venue can take some time, but most couples aren’t in a huge rush. You’ll want to follow a few essential steps to get it right and make sure you have a venue both you and your guests will love.

Outline Your Must-Haves

Nailing down exactly what your wedding venue needs, as well as what you want from it, isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. As well as thinking about your own wishes, you also have to consider the needs of your guests. And there’s a lot to think about too, from the theme of your wedding to the capacity the venue needs to have. If you’re not sure where to start, it might help to begin with the practical requirements. This could help you start shortlisting some options and think about what types of venues you’re drawn to.

Consider Ceremony and Reception

Remember that you will need to think about both your ceremony and reception locations. Perhaps you already have a venue in mind for the ceremony, especially if you want to get married in a church or another religious building. But you might also want to find a venue like St Osyth Priory, where you can have your ceremony and reception in the same location. Wherever you choose to get married will need to have a licence for legal ceremonies, so that’s definitely something to take into account. If there will be two separate venues, how will you and your guests get from one to the other?

Plan Your Wedding Budget

Money obviously matters when you’re planning your wedding. The venue will be a major cost, so your budget is something to work out as soon as you can. Before you nail down a real number, it’s a good idea to do some research and get an idea of costs in the area you’re interested in. You don’t want to set an unrealistically low budget that could mean you struggle to find a suitable venue. There are plenty of ways to save though, from checking prices at different times of the year to keeping to a smaller guest list.

Take a Tour of Shortlisted Venues

Once you’ve shortlisted some possible venues, it’s always a good idea to organise a tour. It gives you a chance to look at the venue in person and meet the staff who will be responsible for helping your wedding stay on track. You will be able to ensure the venue matches the images and description you see online, plus you have the chance to ask any questions before you make a decision.

Take your time when looking for the right wedding venue. You want to make sure you don’t get locked into a venue that’s not right for you.