Choosing a wedding location is one of the first things you need to do. Traditionally, a wedding was held in the bride’s hometown, but nowadays couples are free to choose any place they like, including a faraway exotic island.
When deciding which location to pick for your wedding, there are many things you need to consider such as your budget, number of guests and the services available. However, the most important thing is that both you and your partner are happy with the venue. You can choose a place that has played a significant role in your relationship such as the place where you met each other, the restaurant where you had your first romantic dinner, or even a holiday destination that you both love.
Size of the venue
Before you even start looking for the venue, you should create your preliminary guest list to get the general idea of how big the space should be. You can make a list of guests you are obliged to invite and another one which includes friends who you would like to attend the reception.
Don't forget to become a free member of The Bride's Diary and use our handy, interactive guest and gift list to easily record all guests invited.
Don’t forget that not all the guests you invite will actually be able to attend, so exclude about 10 - 20% of the total number of attendees. The wedding venue mustn’t be too small, but it shouldn’t be too big either. This is why it is essential to be as precise as you can with your calculations.
Size of your budget
The choice of the wedding venue largely depends on the size of your budget. Couples normally spend about half of their budget only on the venue, because it is usually a hotel or restaurant and the package includes food, drinks, and decorations. However, if you decide to celebrate your wedding at an open air space, you will need to provide everything from a marquee to catering.
It is not a good idea to start by checking the most expensive venues first because you might get very disappointed if you can't afford any of them. We recommend to begin your research with the less pricey options and work your way up to the more expensive options. In this way, you will have a realistic assessment of what is available to you and can decide how much of your budget will be spent on the reception venue.
Style does matter
When searching for the ideal location, think about what kind of wedding you would like to have. If you and your partner agree that you want a traditional wedding with a formal sit-down lunch or dinner, you need to look for a classical venue such as an elegant ballroom, a big restaurant or a large manor house.
If you would rather have a smaller wedding, find a relaxed venue with a cosy atmosphere and stylish interior which you can alter with your fabulous DIY décor, or you may choose to simply have a chic garden party.
Service you require
Think about what kind of service you need for your reception and what the venue can offer you. Many couples prefer to find a place that simply has everything so that on the day you can relax and enjoy the celebrations with your friends and family.
If you decide to celebrate in a hotel which specialises in weddings, you will not only receive food, drinks, all the necessary equipment and professional staff, but you can also book a room for the newly-weds or accommodate guests that are coming from afar.
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