subject: 10 steps toward the ideal wedding venue [print this page] Your man's popped the question and you've accepted. It is now time to start planning the wedding. Whether you've had ideas in mind for years or you're starting from scratch, there's a lot to organise for the big day.
One of the trickiest challenges is finding the right venue. So, to help, here are 10 things to consider before you book.
1. Think about where you want to get married - Depending on where you and your fiancee are from may have a bearing on where you decide. Or you may be considering how far your guests will need to travel from.
2. Consider the size of the wedding - While you may not want your special day to be dictated by cost, it is important that you consider the size of the wedding you want and whether that's affordable.
3. Ask to see photos of previous weddings. That's how your wedding and the the photos will look, albeit depending on the weather.
4. Make sure they can cater for you and, if so, make sure the food is to your liking. Traditionally, venues will let you go for a food tasting session to see what you like.
5. Make sure the team who will help you to plan the wedding are likeable. Wedding planning can be a long journey, so if the venue has a team you'll be working closely with, make sure they are helpful, experienced and good natured.
6. People who don't normally dance, will strut their funky stuff at your wedding - it's guaranteed. So make sure there's plenty of room for everyone to get up and have a bop.
7. Find out what accommodation the venue can offer. Is there enough for the number of guests who are likely to need a hotel for the night? Will you be needing rooms for the night before the wedding too. Make sure they have plenty of availability for the dates you specify.
8. Know what you are paying for. Different venues have different charging methods, so make sure you know what they charge for and how they charge for it.
9. If you are getting married at a church, how convenient will it be to get from there to the venue? Will there be enough parking at the venue for those that drive?
10. Do you have the right gut feeling about the venue? Ultimately, when you walk into the room or see the photos, you need to get a feel for what your own special day will be like.
