Venues
Top 10 Hit List - Wedding Venues
1 Personality:
Your wedding is one of the most personal, intimate and ceremonial occasions you will ever be part of in your lifetime. In the haze of a lengthy list of planning tasks, couples can often lose sight of the wedding that they really want. Personality heads our list of venue factors to take into account because this event is all about the two of you, despite what family and friends may intend. When considering what venue to choose, take into account how you feel when you are there, when you see it for the first time. Is it really you? If no, then move on.
2. Location, Location,
Location!Despite our fairytale dreams of a remote castle or hideaway on the side of a mountain, if getting there involves two hours by car from the ceremony then it should remain the stuff of fairytales, unless everyone attending the wedding can stay there! Similarly, choosing a city centre venue with no parking options can cause headaches for your guests, especially if your nuptials are to take place over a weekend. As a rule of thumb, your venue should not be more than about 45 minutes drive from your ceremony for ease of planning, access to guests and comfort, particularly for long evening drives in autumn and winter.
3. Venue Capacity
Finding a venue to take your breath away here in the South East is certainly possible given the variety of Castles, Country House Hotels, landmark architectural gems, cosy restaurants and private dining rooms on offer. Having a good estimate on the number of guests that will be attending is essential before you view any venue. Finding a venue that ticks all or most of your boxes is futile if your guests cannot be accommodated there. It`s also important to allow for an upward movement on your guest numbers for anyone inadvertently forgotten from the list, as well as any changes to the style of wedding you have in mind. Ideally, try to view the venue when it`s fully set up for a wedding to make sure it will accommodate your guests and that it will work for you.
4. Setting
If a lofty country house hotel or winding avenues with colourful trees are what you have in mind for the setting for your wedding, then work hard to find a venue that reflects the personal appeal you are looking for. Setting creates is the first impression of the character and style of your wedding and is the `X` factor that sets your wedding apart. Setting is best explained in the `wow` feeling you will feel on your arrival such as panoramic views, an abundance of nature, great Castle walls, or a river or lakeside location.
5. Traditional vs. Contemporary
The South East region has seen numerous hotel developments, re-development projects and lavish estate-style hotels in the past few years. With each comes a distinct character and style, though the trend is toward contemporary chic. For many brides and grooms-to-be, contemporary chic also reflects their lifestyle. However for many couples, the search for a charming, traditional venue with open fires, mature gardens or sweeping bay windows tops the list of must-haves. Take time out to talk to one another about what would make you feel at home on your wedding day and keep these likes and dislikes foremost on your venue list.
6. Service and attention
The wedding reception is central to your wedding day and after the ceremony is the part of the day your guests will remember most. A very big part of the occasion is the care and attention delivered by the venue in looking after you, your beloved and all your guests. The service and friendliness of the team looking after you is often a talking point following any wedding; yours is unlikely to be different. Our advice is to visit the venue informally before your make your decision: have a casual cup of coffee, take lunch or go for dinner and sample the service for yourself.
7. Drinks and Welcome
The welcoming aroma of mulled wine, cinnamon-filled warmed port or a traditional Irish hot whiskey is a hallmark of a wedding at this time of year and what better way to chase away autumn chills! One of the key issues in choosing your venue is ensuring that the area where drinks are to be served and guests are to be welcomed is large enough to accommodate guests and that it has a style and character. The ideal scenario is an area large enough that guests will be comfortable, while at the same time not too large that it appears cold and bare. Again, the best idea is to see the proposed space set for a wedding reception so you can get a sense of how the space will look and feel. First impressions last; make them good!
8. Dinner options
The wedding feast is a very special part of the day and provides a hale and hearty feast for your guests after a long day, but also is reflects the effort you and your beloved have put into creating a memorable day for all in attendance. When considering your venue, dinner should be foremost on your minds. Here in the South East we can proud of the range of wedding fare on offer, with a multitude to choose from. However, make sure that the dinner menu you have in mind can be delivered by the venue. For example, if you want contemporary cuisine served in a chic way make sure this is possible. Also, if traditional menu items are what you really want then ensure that a good variety is offered, as well as of course provision for vegetarian and other special dietary requirements can be met.
9. Accommodation
When planning your venue arrangements, the area of accommodation is often overlooked, yet it is something that is really important to remember. It`s wise to prepare a list of guests who will require accommodation and reserve the required number of rooms in advance. If your venue has a limited number of rooms onsite, ask your wedding co-ordinator to provide you with a list of local guests houses and B&Bs to distribute to your guests as a backup. Though you may want to get involved, our advice is to let guests look after their own accommodation needs as it can get very complicated!
10. Car Parking
Though it may not be on top of your venue wish list, car parking should be considered when choosing your venue. If your wedding guest list is 200 to 300 people, for example, and your venue only offers 40 car spaces onsite, it is wise to assume that there will be a problem, unless of course there is public parking nearby. The issue of car parking should definitely appear on your radar if you choose a city-centre venue. If there is limited car parking, it may be wise to include parking options with directions to the venue or other information you plan to enclose with each wedding invitation.
