Choosing your wedding venue is so important – and stressful! This blog will walk you through some top tips and fab websites to check out ….
So when is the best time for a wedding?
By far and away the most popular months are April through to August. We have all seen those lovely photos of happy people on lush lawns sipping champagne, with the bride and groom having photos taken in idyllic and sunny surroundings. Here’s a reality check! Weather in the UK is not dependable! So no matter when you choose to get married, you must always take into account dodgy weather and plan accordingly.
May, June, September and October are statistically the driest months and also the most popular for choosing your wedding venue. Late autumn or winter weddings may be dry and frosty – and TOP TIP – venues may charge less than during the peak wedding season.
Will your ceremony be civil or religious?
If you are opting for a civil ceremony, hotels, manor houses and all sorts of other places offer complete packages and are licensed to hold civil ceremonies. You will need to contact the local wedding Registrar but your chosen venue should be able to guide you, if you need their help.
My daughter and her fiancé decided on a civil ceremony and chose a local hotel that provided everything: the bridal party stayed at the hotel, there were family rooms for those with children, manicures and hair dressing on the day – and champagne on tap! The wedding coordinator made sure everything went seamlessly.
If your ceremony will be religious, you will be looking for a reception venue. This really opens up your choices as there is no ceremony licensing requirement. This can help with costs too, as these venues tend to be less busy and therefore offer great packages to encourage you to book!
I want my wedding to be unique to us, not just what’s in the venue’s package
When choosing your wedding venue, you could consider places that simply offer their premises. They have a list of recommended suppliers from discos to caterers. The organisation is down to the couple getting married, including the setting up and taking down. Remember the service providers are keen to get your business. Good will is important, so research genuine reviews as much as you can to make sure you are getting the best!
[For a really hands-on wedding, I have written a blog on planning your DIY wedding, in collaboration with Kim of wringworthy.co.uk. You’ll find the link at the end of this blog]
If your guests are travelling some distance, it can be helpful to select a venue that offers accommodation – certainly for the bridal party, if not for every guest.
For example, my son’s wedding was in Dorset and the reception was held at Muddiford Court Country House. Katie’s family lived nearby and the ceremony was in her home village church. Other members of the bridal party traveled some distance, and the reception venue had lovely rooms to accommodate us.
How far in advance do I have to book my venue?
Generally, couples book their venue at least a year in advance of the date. Some popular venues may also book two years in advance. The season will also make a difference when choosing your venue. There are more likely to be long waiting lists for venues during the summer months which are the height of the wedding season. If you are planning an autumn wedding, venues may have more availability – but be aware that there are peak times where parties are booked up really early. Halloween is one that comes to mind. And of course, a winter wedding can be magical …. so long as you don’t get tangled up with Christmas and New Year festivities. Have you noticed that office parties and so on are arranged for earlier and earlier in December? I’ve come across some in late November! (bonkers!)
TOP TIP: Book your venue before you start booking your other suppliers, including your church, Registrar or celebrant. It’s maddening if you get everyone you need lined up only to find your chosen venue isn’t available.
TOP TIP: Always check your venue’s cancellation policy (just in case you change your mind or need to change the date)
TOP TIP: Get wedding insurance. Costs are not as high as you might expect and there is a wide range of policies available, all of which you can put in place well in advance of the date. Let’s be real – stuff happens! (Including venues getting into some sort of trouble) And how many of us can afford to wave goodbye to thousands of pounds if things go pear-shaped and have to be cancelled or re-scheduled!
Finally….
Once you’ve got your venue booked, prioritise your suppliers as some get booked up earlier than others. Do your research and make sure you are happy with what they offer before signing on the dotted line.You can download an excellent ready-made check list from my webshop. Pocket ready when you have those consultations!
As promised, here’s the link to my blog on Planning Your DIY Wedding: Click HERE
Planning your wedding should be busy, creative… and above all fun! Enjoy it together!
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