FOUND THIS ON AN AMERICAN SITE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS USEFUL FOR HERE AS WELL SO MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO SOMEONE!

When it comes to choosing wedding venues, it's all about planning.
There are two hurdles to your dream wedding. The first is finding the perfect wedding venue. The second is booking it. Wedding venues can be booked up months, even years, in advance. And if you’re getting married at the most popular time of year on a Saturday, it can be difficult to secure your dream wedding venue. If you’re flexible over days and dates, you can be relatively laid back about booking your wedding venue. But the reality is most weddings happen on a Saturday because the couple want to ensure all their guests can make it without work commitments getting in the way.

If you don’t want to be disappointed that you haven’t secured your fairytale wedding venue, check out our top wedding venue tips:

Plan way ahead: Use a wedding directory to see what wedding venues are on offer in your area.
Choose the wedding venues that match your needs – this will firstly depend on size to accommodate a small or large guest list.
All wedding venues should have a wow-factor. But decide whether you’d prefer a relaxed and fun atmosphere or a formal and official one. Do you want a country retreat, surrounded by natural beauty or the buzz of say Brighton beach? Your wedding venue should first and foremost reflect the couple’s character.
Keep in mind difficult guests – if you have lots of children attending or elderly relatives ensure the wedding venue can accommodate them comfortably.
Also keep in mind travel demands – if you’re marrying in a church or registry office, you don’t want it to be miles away from where you’re hosting the reception party. And consider how far the majority of your guests will have to travel to your wedding venues. Keeping it local will be more cost efficient for you and your friends and family.


Popular wedding venues can be booked up months, even years, in advance. So, make sure you have this in mind when you start planning.
You should also remember that Saturdays during the summer months are the most popular times of year and it can sometimes be difficult to secure your dream wedding venue. The Wise Weddings team of experts have put together a few tips to help you secure your dream wedding venue:

Planning is key. Do your research and draw up a shortlist of what wedding venues are on offer in your area. The web and wedding directories are great sources.
What are the catering facilities like and are specialist wedding caterers allowed?
List the pros and cons of each venue to help you decide.
Choose the wedding venues that match your needs – this will firstly depend on size to accommodate a small or large guest list.
What is the venues appeal and does it fit with the theme of your wedding or reflect the couple’s character? A relaxed and fun atmosphere or a traditional and formal affair.
Keep in mind the needs of your guests – if you have lots of children attending or elderly relatives ensure the wedding venue can accommodate them comfortably.
What are the travel demands? You are unlikely to want to be getting married miles away from where you’re hosting your reception.


How will the majority of your guests have to travel to your wedding venue? Keeping it local will be more cost efficient for you and your friends and family.

Marquee wedding reception. If you have access to spacious gardens or other outdoor space, a marquee could be worth considering. Many people are surprised at how pricey it can be to hire a marquee for their wedding, but the plus side is that you can take control of wedding catering and could save a considerable amount by providing your own alcohol.

Sports or social club wedding reception. Different types of club premises can be perfect for a wedding reception. Do plenty of research and you could find one that’s in a stunning location, too. For example, some sailing or rowing clubs have picturesque waterside views, and can often be hired at a reasonable price, certainly compared to other popular wedding venues.

Restaurant or pub wedding reception. Food and drink are among the main ingredients for a successful wedding reception, so where better to head than to a lovely restaurant or pub? Bear in mind that you’re more likely to find a good match if your wedding party is smaller, and if you’re lucky you might even be able to escape the heavy costs that are often quoted as soon as you mention the ‘w’ word!
Wedding fees. Exaggerated costs, such as a hefty corkage fee or drinks prices, might mean compromising on other aspects of the wedding. Vote with your feet if you feel it’s not worth it.

Wedding venue staff. Are the staff experienced and professional? Flexibility is also important. Are they willing to adapt to your needs? This will be a major factor in how smoothly your day runs.

Wedding venue facilities. Is the venue suitable for guests with a disability, and can it provide appropriate seating for the elderly and/or young children?

Wedding guest accommodation. Is there a reasonable range of accommodation within easy access of the venue? When you set up a free wedding website with WeddingPath, it includes a useful WeddingMap Page that tells you – and your wedding guests – about available accommodation near your wedding venue.

Wedding transport. Is there enough parking for guests who drive, and decent transport links for those who don’t?


Wedding venue restrictions. Does the venue impose limitations that could negatively affect your plans? Some stipulate no loud music after a certain time, others don’t like confetti or candles, and certain (usually historic) venues forbid high-heeled shoes for fear of their flooring being damaged.


Wedding photography. Plenty of natural light in your venue will mean better pictures. You might also want to check that there are plenty of appealing outdoor spots close at hand. For advice on choosing a photographer who will make the most of your wedding venue, read this useful Wedding photography article.

Wedding decoration. Are table linen, flowers, place cards and other decorations included in the quoted price, or will you have to provide your own?


Wedding extras. Check the availability of extras such as a cake stand and cake knife. Many wedding venues will lend you these, but having to hire them separately adds to your hassle and your wedding expenses.

Venue search. To look for wedding venues in your chosen area, type in your region or postcode and browse WeddingPath’s Wedding Directory, which includes details of hundreds of different wedding venues.



Wedding venue checklist
Before signing on the dotted line, check the detail and small print

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