How to choose your wedding venue in 2023
Planning a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be a daunting task, especially when it comes to selecting the perfect venue. This will be one of the most important decisions you make, as the venue sets the tone and vibe for your special day. Whether you envision a castle, a rustic barn, or a beachside ceremony, choosing the right venue is crucial. As you plan your wedding for 2023, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that your chosen venue meets with your style, budget, and overall vision. In this article, we will discuss some of the critical things to keep in mind when booking your wedding venue to make your day unforgettable.
But first, take a breath, pour yourself a cuppa and let’s dive into this blog where we will help you through the process. Below you will find useful advice and question to ask your wedding venue that will help you decide on The One!
1. Set your wedding budget
If you have already read our 2023 wedding planning guide then you will know that setting a wedding budget is so important when it comes to organising your dream wedding day. The last thing you want to happen is finding a wedding venue that you fall in love with and visualise your whole day there. To then find out that it’s over your budget and you have to find something else.
There are several factors that can drastically alter the cost of your wedding venue including those hidden wedding costs, date of your wedding, and many more which can significantly increase/decrease the price of your dream wedding venue.
2. What type of wedding venue?
There are several types and styles of wedding venues to choose from, each with its own unique charm and character. Outdoor venues, such as gardens, beaches, and parks, offer natural beauty and stunning backdrops for wedding photos. For those who prefer an indoor setting, ballrooms, city halls, and hotels offer elegance and sophistication. Rustic venues, such as barns and vineyards, provide a cozy and intimate atmosphere, while historical venues, such as manor houses and castles, offer a touch of grandeur and luxury. Other options include modern and contemporary spaces, such as art galleries and warehouses, and destination venues, such as resorts and villas.
3. What season will your wedding be in?
When searching for your dream wedding venue, it’s important to consider the time of year you plan to tie the knot. The season can greatly affect your venue choices and determine the overall ambiance of your special day. If you’re dreaming of a winter wonderland wedding, consider venues with cozy fireplaces, elegant ballrooms, and warm lighting. Spring weddings can take advantage of outdoor venues such as gardens, parks, and rooftops with blooming flowers and greenery. Summer weddings can benefit from beach or waterfront venues, as well as outdoor spaces with ample shade and air conditioning. For a fall wedding, rustic venues such as barns and vineyards can offer the perfect backdrop for autumn foliage and warm hues.
If you are getting married in the UK, it would be a good idea to also take bad weather into consideration when choosing your wedding venue. Does the venue have a photogenic interior where your wedding photographer can utilise stunning architecture to take wedding photos without getting the couple soaked?
4. Wedding guest capacity?
All wedding venues have a set capacity they can accommodate during the day which can then be expanded on during the night. So sitting down with your partner at the very early stages of your wedding planning journey and deciding on how many guests you want for the day and night will help you look for wedding venues with a suitable capacity.
5. Location, Location, Location
Traditionally wedding couples get married in their home town but with so many wedding venue options around the UK its hard not to take a look at some further afield. But location is important when it comes to your wedding venue choice for a number of reasons including.
The wedding suppliers you want for your wedding day. Some wedding suppliers charge for additional mileage so thats a factor to take into account alongside your wedding budget.
Your family, where your wedding guests live is a huge determining factor in choosing a wedding venue. It maybe difficult for some family members to travel long distances and may have to consider not coming as a result.
6. Wedding Venue Lighting
Ok this one is a little bit selfish… But for all the right reasons. You would have booked your wedding photographer because of their style and the way they can use natural light to capture stunning wedding photos.
Some older wedding venues have beautiful chandeliers and rustic wooden panelling on the walls, with vintage patterned carpets. Now you maybe thinking why is this a bad thing? Well it isn’t for most but for wedding photographers this can prove really challenging and may compromise the quality of the wedding photos. Make sure to take a look at some full wedding galleries from your wedding venue to see what the lighting will look like in your gallery.
Don’t worry when booking us though! We have years of experience with different wedding venues and know exactly how to get the perfect shots.
7. Read previous wedding couples testimonials
Reviews from previous wedding couples is so important when looking for your dream wedding venue, photographer, cake maker and pretty much anything wedding related. There are loads of marketing techniques we use but the best one of all is good old fashioned word of mouth.
So make sure to look on the wedding venues google reviews to see what previous wedding couples have had to say.
8. Visit more than once!
Just like when you are looking for a house. You think you’ve found the one and then go back on a rainy day and the feeling totally changes. That can happen with a wedding venue too. Let’s face it, searching for a wedding venue is extremely exciting and everything can appear absolutely perfect on your first visit.
But make sure to go back a second time before booking after you have had time to review your wedding budget, style, guest list and other factors that may rule the wedding venue in or out of favour.
