The Benefits of a Wedding Planning Journal: How it Can Help You Stay Focused and On Task
8 Tips On Choosing The Perfect Wedding Venue For You & Your Partner
Planning a wedding can be a huge organizational task that takes a lot of time and patience to get what you and your partner want.
No matter whether the wedding will be big or small, one thing you will be looking at is a venue for the reception. Choosing the right venue can take time. Yes I know, there are a ton of things to think about and calculate, and it can become a huge headache.
Here, then, are eight tips to help and guide you as you look to select the ideal wedding venue for you and your partner.
1. Ensure there is enough space
One of the considerations you need to think about is the number of people who will be attending the venue. You may have more or fewer people than came to the wedding, so it is important to get confirmations from the guests early.
The leading Luton wedding venues and those elsewhere will know the maximum capacity of their rooms so that you can see which will be the best size for your party. You also want to get quotes on prices and what they offer so that you can decide which will offer the best services for the money.
The location should also be near the wedding location so that people don’t have to travel too far. If there is a long journey, you may need to ensure some transport is available for those who don’t have a way to get to the venue.
Ensure there’s enough space. Photo by Abby Savage on Unsplash.com
2. Entertainment for your guests
Although most people will be happy to sit and chat at the reception, you should arrange some entertainment for the children or those that want to have a bit of fun. One such example is arranging a wedding photo booth hire so that your guests can dress up and have their photos taken. This will make a nice memento of the evening as well.
It can also be a good idea to hire a DJ or band to play some music for those that want to dance. Set a time for the music to end so that all your guests know when it’s time to leave.
3. Food and drink
Food and drink are arguably the biggest part of the reception. How you arrange the food is a personal choice. Some people organising a wedding reception like to have a sit-down catered meal, while others like to have a buffet table set up so that guests can help themselves.
Together with the main food, you can also set up special novelty foods such as a sweet shop for the kids and a Crosstown wedding doughnut wall for the adults. These will go down well with everyone, and keep the munchies at bay for even the hungriest person.
Drinks-wise, you need to see if the bar at the venue will run a tab for the night if you are paying for the drinks. If you are not, then let your guests know in advance so that they can bring their credit cards or money if they wish.
Food and drink are arguably the biggest part of the reception. Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash.com
4. Parking and accessibility
For those that are going to drive to the venue, you want to ensure there is enough parking available to cater to everyone you are expecting. Alternatively, you should see if there is another place where people can park either for free or for a small amount. Discourage people from parking on the street in case they block the road or get a parking ticket.
If you are expecting anyone with mobility issues, then you should ensure the venue can accommodate them. Many venues now have accessible entrances, but smaller or older buildings might not.
5. Booking the date
You might have found the perfect location for your reception, but do they have a space for you? When looking at venues, it is important to find out if they can host your reception on the date you need.
It is also a good idea to have a backup venue in mind that you can book if something goes wrong. Of course, you don’t want to leave this until the last minute, or they will be fully booked.
6. Stick to your budget
Even though you have likely seen the ideal venue for your reception, you need to think about your budget for the event. Sometimes you can get a better deal by having your wedding out of season, though this means the weather might not be nice.
Get quotes from all of the venues you have seen and compare what you get with each. You may find that paying a little more gets you a lot more than others, but try to stick to your budget.
You should also ask if any of the features of the venue cost extra as some will charge additional money for using a part of the venue you thought was part of the deal.
7. Listen to recommendations
Word of mouth via friends, family, and colleagues can be a great way to find venues that you might not have considered. It is important to ask all the relevant questions and how much it costs to use the venue they are recommending.
If they used it a few years ago, the chances are the prices might have changed. You should also take a look yourself in case it isn’t as you imagine.
If you are using a wedding planner, then they will usually have many venues they can recommend at varying prices. A good one could even manage to get you a discount.
8. Visit more than once
Even if you have seen a venue that looks ideal, it is always a good idea to visit it a couple of times in person. Choose a time when the reception will be so that you can see what it’s like in the daytime or at night.
You should also go when the venue is busy so that you can imagine it full of guests. Take your time to decide for certain whether this is the venue for you.
Conclusion
Choosing the right venue for your wedding is a vital part of the whole day. With careful planning and consideration, you can find the ideal location for you and your partner, at the right price.
