Your wedding venue sets the stage for everything: where you’ll say “I do,” sip Champagne, and dance into the night. It’s not just a location – it’s the heart of your day, and the very first choice that shapes all the others. So before you get swept up in the whirlwind of florals, fittings and favours, here’s what you need to know.
Start with the dream
Years of discreetly curating Pinterest boards have finally paid off, now’s the time to indulge those fantasies. Is it the mellow honeyed stone of a Cotswold manor? A Georgian townhouse in the heart of London with Regency charm and city chic? Or perhaps a toes-in-the-sand, rosé-in-hand ceremony on a Mediterranean coastline?
Whatever your vision, narrowing down your dream location is the first and most crucial step. It will steer the rest of your decisions and bring a sense of focus to the (potentially endless) venue search.
Be brutal with the guest list (and the budget)
The only couples exempt from this are those eloping to Capri with two witnesses and a bottle of Ruinart. For everyone else, getting that guest list finalised is essential, and it’s rarely simple. Once you know how many people you’re dealing with, you can immediately eliminate venues that are too snug or cavernous.
Equally, know your numbers when it comes to budget. Wedding venues are notoriously tricky to compare, some will dazzle with an all-inclusive package, others will charm you with à la carte chic (and a separate fee for every chair). Always ask what’s included, from canapés to breakfast the morning after.
Decide on your “non-negotiables”
Every couple has them. Whether it’s a glasshouse reception bathed in golden light, a wisteria-covered terrace for alfresco vows, or enough bedrooms to host every aunt and their beloved spaniel, now is the time to make a definitive list of your must-haves.
These are the features you won’t compromise on, and they’ll act as a north star throughout your planning journey, guiding you past beautiful-but-wrong options toward the right one.
You simply must visit in person
There are some things you just can’t get from a brochure. Like the feel of the space, the warmth of the staff, or the angle of the sunset over the cocktail lawn. It’s a bit like falling in love, you’ll just know when it’s right.
A word of advice? Never skip the menu tasting. An exquisite setting is one thing, but guests remember the food. You’re aiming for sigh-worthy canapés and a main that has people whispering about the chef for weeks.
Don’t rely on luck when it comes to weather
Yes, rain on your wedding day is meant to be lucky, but it’s hardly what you were hoping for when you booked a Provençal olive grove. Wherever in the world you wed, have a solid Plan B that you actually like. The last thing you need the week before your wedding is to panic about a marquee that looks like a car boot sale.
To hire a wedding planner or not?
Some venues insist you bring your own. Others come with a team so polished they could plan a state banquet in their sleep. If you’re still undecided, wait until you’ve found your venue, it may answer the question for you.
That said, even the most hands-on bride or groom may benefit from an on-the-day coordinator to run the show, someone who knows when to cue the string quartet and how to fix a heel stuck in cobblestones without breaking a sweat.
In short? Choose a venue that feels like you, just a little more fabulous. Whether you’re dreaming of English countryside elegance or a glamorous destination affair, find the space that sets the stage for the best party you’ll ever throw. Champagne, naturally, required.
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