How To Choose Your Wedding Venue

Picking the place where you’ll say ‘I do’ is perhaps one of the most challenging elements of planning any nuptials. It will also take up a fair part of your wedding budget, if not most of it, so it’s not a decision you’ll want to rush.

However, once you’ve got engaged, and the initial euphoria has died down so that you’re focused on planning seriously, it’ll almost certainly be the first thing you want to firm up. Most venues typically take bookings between one and three years in advance.

First things first. Set your budget and have a rough idea of guest numbers before you do anything else. Consider having a range of highest and lowest sums for how much you can allocate to the venue choice. Be clear and realistic on this and stick to your budget. But see if your money could go further with a midweek or out-of-season wedding.

Some questions to ask yourself

·        Do you want to get hitched in a particular part of the country?

·        Do you want exclusive use of the venue while you’re there?

·        Does the potential venue give you everything you can’t imagine your day without? What are the red lines you’re not prepared to compromise on?

Next there are all these other things to take into account:

1.)    Check capacity

Size is important and will affect budget and guests’ enjoyment. Make sure you can fit everyone in comfortably, without cramming or too much empty space. View a seating plan of the place at full capacity to assess how much room there is, and try to view the venue while it’s set up for a wedding.

Check capacity for the evening and daytime parts of the celebration, and think about whether you want a small, intimate affair or to be able to invite as many guests as possible.

2.)    Location is everything

This is a really important part of your decision. Do you need on-site accommodation, or are there hotels nearby? Are some of your guests flying in from overseas and, if so, where is the nearest major airport?

Is the location easy for people to get to, especially for those who will only be joining the evening party?

3.)    Have your venue suit the season

If you want a fabulous garden for a gorgeous open-air ceremony, a marquee or a lovely terrace for a spring or summer celebration, check out your potential venue’s outdoor spaces. Have the photographic backdrop in mind from the outset, whether that’s a lake, garden or the façade of a beautiful building.

Equally, some venues just lend themselves to a winter wedding – think rustic barns, roaring fires and general cosiness!

4.)    Does the venue suit your theme?

Does the location work well with the theme you want for your big day and with how you want the occasion to look and feel overall? That includes whether you’re going for a chic and modern, traditional or luxurious vibe.

5.)    Ask about catering and entertainment

Clearly, what you and your guests eat and drink is an important element of your special day. Discuss options with venues you’re talking to, and be sure what they offer fits in with your vision for your wedding. Can you use your own caterers and your own other suppliers, from photographers to florists and cake makers? 

Finally, entertainment also matters and makes a big contribution to the experience and enjoyment of the day. Whatever you have in mind, ask whether it’s allowed, even for standard options like a DJ or band. Is music allowed outside, for example, and what time will it have to stop?

6.)    Check out wedding packages

Many, if not most, wedding venues offer wedding packages including a number of services bundled together for a better price. This can also remove some of the stress of planning your day. Be crystal clear on what is included – and what isn’t.

Why choose Howard Court wedding venue?

The charming farmhouse and barns at Howard Court, in the stunning North Yorkshire countryside, provide the ideal setting for your dream wedding – all in 22 acres of woodland and pasture. You’ll have exclusive use of our venue, including our ancient restored barns with original features like exposed brick walls, wooden beams and arched windows from floor to ceiling.

Whether you want a delightfully cosy and intimate winter wedding or festival-themed summer celebration, we can help. Ask about our Howard Court wedding packages and get in touch with your questions and to book a viewing.