Sounds simple, right? But like so many things, the devil, as they say, is in the detail! Even within a relatively small geographical area, there are likely to be several options to choose from, so how do you narrow down the possibilities? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, the bad news is, it\u2019s going to require time, effort and organisation.\u00a0 Fortunately, however, we\u2019ve compiled a comprehensive wedding venue checklist to make things easier and speed the process up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s make a start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make a List<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis sounds obvious, but before you do anything else get yourself a notebook and make a list of potential venues along with their website and contact details. You can now eliminate those that fail to match your expectations based on the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Budget<\/strong> for your Wedding Venue Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBefore you consider where you\u2019ll hold your wedding, you\u2019ll need to have organised your wedding budget. There is nothing more disappointing than falling in love with a fairy tale venue only to discover that you can\u2019t afford it. On that note, some venues do publish a guideline price on their website. However, it\u2019s advisable to email or phone to check the precise details, as the price can spiral rapidly out of control if you need to add any extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve engaged the services of a wedding planner, ask them for recommendations. They will be aware of venues which are likely to suit your style and budget, thus saving you time, effort and, potentially, money as they may be able to negotiate a discount on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.partywizz.com\/blog\/20230707082447\/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-10.24.00-1024x678.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs the venue available? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you waste hours debating the merits of a particular venue, check whether it\u2019s available on your wedding day first. This is high up on the wedding venue checklist for a reason!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is the venue licensed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you plan to hold your wedding ceremony and the reception in one place, you\u2019ll need to find out if the venues you are considering are licenced for civil ceremonies. You should also check whether this facility will incur additional charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is the venue the right size?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to choosing a wedding venue, one of the most important things you\u2019ll need to consider is the number of guests you\u2019re expecting. If you don\u2019t yet have a proper guest list, you should make a rough one to get an idea of numbers. But whether your wedding is large or small, your venue will still need to comfortably accommodate everyone without feeling overcrowded. Plus, knowing your numbers will save time as you can quickly eliminate venues that aren\u2019t large enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If, as is often the case, you plan to invite more guests to the evening party, don\u2019t forget to take this into account. Most venues can usually cope with larger numbers in the evening than at a sit-down meal, but do check, especially if you plan to invite significantly more people to the evening do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip:<\/strong> Try to view any shortlisted venues when they are set up for a wedding. This will give you a clearer idea of how much space there is between tables, on the dance floor etc, which is much more difficult to gauge in an empty room. If that\u2019s not an option, at least ask to see photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDoes it match the style of your wedding? \u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The venue you choose will play a huge role in setting the tone and atmosphere of your big day, so it\u2019s important to select somewhere that fits the kind of wedding you envisage. For instance, you, do want your wedding to be relaxed and informal, or would you prefer a more formal and luxurious setting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The time of year may have a bearing on your decision too. Summer weddings are well-suited to laid-back celebrations in outdoor spaces, whereas a winter wedding lends itself to a more glamorous indoor setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decide on the type of atmosphere you hope to create too, as certain venues fit certain styles of wedding.\u00a0 A country club or historic mansion are good choices if you\u2019re looking to create a romantic atmosphere, while something more rustic will suit a country style wedding better.\u00a0\u00a0This is an important item for your wedding venue checklist as it can have a huge influence over your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.partywizz.com\/blog\/20230707082424\/Screenshot-2023-07-07-at-10.24.10-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoes it have any outdoor space?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re getting married in the spring or summer months, or even early autumn, think about the outside space a venue has to offer. \u00a0 There are several advantages to having access to grounds\/gardens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Gardens are great for creating a romantic atmosphere.<\/li>
- Your photographs will look fabulous taken against a verdant backdrop.<\/li>
- You have the option of adding outdoor games for guests\u2019 entertainment.<\/li>
- The celebrations can spill out into the garden.<\/li>
- Potential for fireworks.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Do have a plan B in place to account for the inclement British weather though!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How convenient is the location?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ideally, the venue should be easily accessible to guests, so consider choosing somewhere that is centrally located and easy to get to. Make it too remote, and you may have guests getting lost en route<\/em> to your big day!<\/p>\n\n\n\nIs there parking nearby or at the venue?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Having sufficient parking is important for two reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- You want guests to be able to park close to the venue, particularly if they are elderly or infirm.<\/li>
- You don\u2019t want them to have to pay for parking.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is more likely to be an issue in city hotels than country houses, however, it\u2019s still worth bearing in mind. If a venue doesn\u2019t have sufficient parking, you may want to consider a different venue unless there is adequate public parking nearby that guests can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What amenities does the venue offer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The amenities a venue has on offer can make or break it as a potential choice for hosting your wedding. Ask about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Dressing rooms for the bridal party, plus the groom and his entourage.<\/li>
- Overnight accommodation for guests.<\/li>
- Disabled facilities.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Does the venue have any restrictions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before you sign on the dotted line, check what you are and aren\u2019t allowed to do at a particular venue, and what\u2019s included. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Does the venue have an event coordinator? <\/li>
- Will yours be the only wedding hosted on this date?<\/li>
- Do they have a wedding package, and can it be customised?<\/li>
- What time will the reception need to finish?<\/li>
- Can you have a live band? When can they begin setting up?<\/li>
- Can you decorate the venue to suit your theme\/ is access available the evening before? <\/li>
- Can you use an outside catering company? <\/li>
- Can you use the venue\u2019s kitchen facilities?<\/li>
- Can you use your own suppliers, or is there a list of approved contractors?<\/li>
- Is there an extra charge for tables, chairs etc? (Some venues rent these out).<\/li>
- Can you rearrange the layout to suit?<\/li>
- What is the maximum number of guests?<\/li>
- What time will the florist, cake maker etc be able to start setting up?<\/li>
- Can you have fireworks?<\/li>
- How much deposit do you require? Is it refundable if you need to cancel?<\/li>
- What\u2019s the cancellation policy? <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
It can be all too easy to rush into booking a venue without thinking it through properly. \u00a0 However, if you use our wedding venue checklist, we\u2019re sure you\u2019ll find somewhere perfect that will match up to your expectations and<\/em> your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n>> <\/span>Book a Wedding Entertainer<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPartyWizz helps you book the best wedding entertainers and services in UK and Ireland. From\u00a0magicians<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0wedding singers<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0DJs<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0photographers<\/a>, you\u2019ll find those in your area in just a few clicks. \u00a0\u00a0Whether you\u2019re planning a big or small reception, at home or in a venue, go to\u00a0PartyWizz<\/a>\u00a0to find the perfect service providers for your special day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of the most important aspects of planning your wedding is choosing the perfect venue. This sets the tone for the entire event, so it\u2019s super-important that you select somewhere that suits your style within the constraints of your budget. >> Book a Wedding Entertainer Sounds simple, right? But like so many things, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4302,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4300"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4738,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4300\/revisions\/4738"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Before you consider where you\u2019ll hold your wedding, you\u2019ll need to have organised your wedding budget. There is nothing more disappointing than falling in love with a fairy tale venue only to discover that you can\u2019t afford it. On that note, some venues do publish a guideline price on their website. However, it\u2019s advisable to email or phone to check the precise details, as the price can spiral rapidly out of control if you need to add any extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve engaged the services of a wedding planner, ask them for recommendations. They will be aware of venues which are likely to suit your style and budget, thus saving you time, effort and, potentially, money as they may be able to negotiate a discount on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you waste hours debating the merits of a particular venue, check whether it\u2019s available on your wedding day first. This is high up on the wedding venue checklist for a reason!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan to hold your wedding ceremony and the reception in one place, you\u2019ll need to find out if the venues you are considering are licenced for civil ceremonies. You should also check whether this facility will incur additional charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to choosing a wedding venue, one of the most important things you\u2019ll need to consider is the number of guests you\u2019re expecting. If you don\u2019t yet have a proper guest list, you should make a rough one to get an idea of numbers. But whether your wedding is large or small, your venue will still need to comfortably accommodate everyone without feeling overcrowded. Plus, knowing your numbers will save time as you can quickly eliminate venues that aren\u2019t large enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If, as is often the case, you plan to invite more guests to the evening party, don\u2019t forget to take this into account. Most venues can usually cope with larger numbers in the evening than at a sit-down meal, but do check, especially if you plan to invite significantly more people to the evening do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> Try to view any shortlisted venues when they are set up for a wedding. This will give you a clearer idea of how much space there is between tables, on the dance floor etc, which is much more difficult to gauge in an empty room. If that\u2019s not an option, at least ask to see photographs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The venue you choose will play a huge role in setting the tone and atmosphere of your big day, so it\u2019s important to select somewhere that fits the kind of wedding you envisage. For instance, you, do want your wedding to be relaxed and informal, or would you prefer a more formal and luxurious setting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The time of year may have a bearing on your decision too. Summer weddings are well-suited to laid-back celebrations in outdoor spaces, whereas a winter wedding lends itself to a more glamorous indoor setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Decide on the type of atmosphere you hope to create too, as certain venues fit certain styles of wedding.\u00a0 A country club or historic mansion are good choices if you\u2019re looking to create a romantic atmosphere, while something more rustic will suit a country style wedding better.\u00a0\u00a0This is an important item for your wedding venue checklist as it can have a huge influence over your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re getting married in the spring or summer months, or even early autumn, think about the outside space a venue has to offer. \u00a0 There are several advantages to having access to grounds\/gardens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do have a plan B in place to account for the inclement British weather though!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideally, the venue should be easily accessible to guests, so consider choosing somewhere that is centrally located and easy to get to. Make it too remote, and you may have guests getting lost en route<\/em> to your big day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having sufficient parking is important for two reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is more likely to be an issue in city hotels than country houses, however, it\u2019s still worth bearing in mind. If a venue doesn\u2019t have sufficient parking, you may want to consider a different venue unless there is adequate public parking nearby that guests can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The amenities a venue has on offer can make or break it as a potential choice for hosting your wedding. Ask about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you sign on the dotted line, check what you are and aren\u2019t allowed to do at a particular venue, and what\u2019s included. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be all too easy to rush into booking a venue without thinking it through properly. \u00a0 However, if you use our wedding venue checklist, we\u2019re sure you\u2019ll find somewhere perfect that will match up to your expectations and<\/em> your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n >> <\/span>Book a Wedding Entertainer<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n PartyWizz helps you book the best wedding entertainers and services in UK and Ireland. From\u00a0magicians<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0wedding singers<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0DJs<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0photographers<\/a>, you\u2019ll find those in your area in just a few clicks. \u00a0\u00a0Whether you\u2019re planning a big or small reception, at home or in a venue, go to\u00a0PartyWizz<\/a>\u00a0to find the perfect service providers for your special day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the most important aspects of planning your wedding is choosing the perfect venue. This sets the tone for the entire event, so it\u2019s super-important that you select somewhere that suits your style within the constraints of your budget. >> Book a Wedding Entertainer Sounds simple, right? But like so many things, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4302,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4300"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4300"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4738,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4300\/revisions\/4738"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIs the venue available? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is the venue licensed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is the venue the right size?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does it match the style of your wedding? \u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDoes it have any outdoor space?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How convenient is the location?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is there parking nearby or at the venue?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What amenities does the venue offer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does the venue have any restrictions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n