I got engaged a few weeks ago and am really keen to get going with visiting venues, but I have found that a couple of venues I have emailed/called don't seem that enthusiastic about setting up a visit at the moment because they're busy with Christmas parties etc. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing? Also, we're planning a Summer wedding so would viewing a venue when it's all done up for Christmas affect the impression we get do you think? I know I could just wait until January but I'm excited!
CommentAuthorLouiseyweesey
Hi! First of all congratulations ;-)
This was me too - I got engaged just before Xmas and I was mega desperate to look at venues! My advice would be to wait until after Christmas to actually look around any though cause there can be a big difference, we went to my venue anyway for a Xmas party and the difference between what it looked like then and what it looked like for a wedding was massive. Plus the people at the venue will be able to give you more of their time and explain more/ be able to answer all of your questions which is really important, cause they might miss something you really want to know and it's good to chat in depth about your plans for thw day to see if it's even possible to have it there.
I'd say look about at venues online now and narrow down the ones that you really like the look of. Then in January you'll be able to get a much more productive visit!
Good luck! xxxx
CommentAuthorMaxineP89
January and February you will find lots of venues start to have their "wedding fayres/open days". We got engaged in November (2016) and made a short list of venues we liked by looking on line, then we started to visit the venues on our list and booked the venue of our choice in the February
Looking forward to becoming the 3rd and last Mrs McLauchlan
CommentAuthorKathleenO17
I would say to wait until after Christmas if you are not wanting a Christmas wedding as the venues will be decorated for that. Just get together your shortlist of venues you would like to see based on their brochures and from being on their websites and then check out when they are having open days or wedding fayres - March seems to be a popular time although I've seen a couple advertised in January for those Christmas proposals. I found it more time consuming actually doing the research part then looking round the venues. Have you got a venue in mind (hotel/church/barn etc)?
Whilst waiting have a think (if not already planned) about your potential guest list numbers and budget. Have you thought about potential dates yet? x
CommentAuthorFutureMrsClinton
Thanks! I've had a think about it and you're all right, it's probably best to wait until January/February to visit, we want to get married in June 2018 so it'll be the complete opposite of a Winter wedding. We want to get married in a hotel and have narrowed it down to 6 at the moment, a couple of those are slightly over budget though so it's probably not worth going to see them and falling in love if we decide that we definitely can't afford to stretch the budget!
I'd say wait after Christmas as well - you'll get a more "normal" feel for the venue without their Christmas decorations up etc. and the staff will be less stressed and generally have more time to show you round and answer any queries etc. It will also give you something really exciting to look forward to after Christmas and will start your new year off beautifully!
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
I second finding out about local wedding fairs in the new year, the tab at the top of the page is really helpful, often they will have their main rooms done up for a ceremony or seated reception and you can get a real feel for what a wedding would look like. It's also a great way to meet local suppliers used to working at the venue, and getting tasty cake samples :)
CommentAuthorFutureMrsClinton
Thanks for the advice about wedding fairs, I've just found out that one of my top 4 venues is having one at the end of January :)
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
Ooh exciting! Let us know how it goes :) last one we went to had a help yourself chocolate fountain. Yum!
