Travel and Leisure

Once you have decided where in the country you wish to be married, it is then important to consider which wedding venues are available locally. To help you narrow down your search for the ideal venue to hold your ceremony and reception, there are a number of key features to look for, which we review here:

Wedding Venues Vary in Size and Style

The number of guests you plan to invite to your ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening function will dictate which venues are appropriate in terms of their size. However, a smaller venue may not be out of the question owing to the fact that marquees are often available to increase the capacity that can be catered for. A range of hotels have a license to hold a civil ceremony, but these can vary greatly in their style, so you need to decide whether you wish to have a grand and more formal setting; if so, country house hotels make a great choice with their fine architecture if your budget can cover this.

Check the Facilities Available

Wedding venues with multiple rooms may allow you to use a different room for each aspect of your big day; if not, your guests will have to move to a lounge, bar or gardens while staff re-organise a single room. Most couples consider photo opportunities when selecting the location for their wedding; no matter what the season, gardens can provide a beautiful setting for memorable photographs to be taken. Guests travelling a distance will be grateful to stay at the venue, so the availability of hotel rooms will be a bonus.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

The food and drink will be a big part of your wedding reception, so be sure to check the details regarding this when you consider possible wedding venues. It is certainly easier if the setting for your wedding can provide your food rather than having to arrange for an outside caterer to supply the meals. A lot of places that hold weddings will provide packages for food and drink, but be sure to find out exactly what is covered by this. It pays to confirm that they can provide a choice of food and cater for specific dietary requirements, allowing all guests to enjoy the experience. Additionally check whether your guests will have exclusive use of a bar or whether it will be shared with the public on the day; some wedding venues also offer the option to provide your own alcohol and request you pay a corkage fee.