How to choose a wedding venue
Have a big family? Friends flying in from all over the world? Wedding locations are one of the most important factors to consider when planning your big day, as you need somewhere your nearest and dearest can get to easily, something that is affordable and somewhere that is available on your chosen date. Booking a wedding venue is one of the first things that should be done, so you can send out your save the dates, stick to the right amount of numbers and start preparing the other parts of the day. If you’re a bride-on-a-budget, hiring a wedding venue needs to be something your purse strings can stretch to, so it’s advised to start looking at options as early as possible. Wedding marquee designs can be created in order to accommodate the size of your wedding party, so if this is where you want to hold your wedding, shop around for the best deal. Want more tips and advice to help you find the venue for your big day? Just read below…
1) Flash the cash
Be realistic when it comes to choosing a venue. Are you getting financial help from relatives or are you going it alone? There’s no point falling in love with a place that you simply cannot afford. There are hundreds of wedding venues available, so you are guaranteed to be able to find somewhere amazing in your price range.
2) Location, location, location
Think about how far you want your guests to travel. If you and your fiancée are not from the same area, does it make sense to have it somewhere in the middle so every party has some distance to travel? If you have your heart set on somewhere really far away, like abroad, accommodation may need to be considered to guarantee as many people as possible can come – but be wary of escalating budgets.
3) Look online
Once you have your budget and area decided, look online for different venues. This is the best way to look at prices, pictures of the venues and different areas throughout the country and worldwide, without having to visit every single one. Open days are available, so once you have a shortlist, take yourselves along with a pen and paper, take a look and jot down any questions you might want to ask. It’s easier said than done, but window shop first, before committing. You don’t want to make a snap decision, only to change your mind and lose your deposit.
4) Shop around
If you’re on a budget, marquees are a cheaper alternative to an expensive indoor reception and can be made to look as glamorous as any indoor venue. There are lots of different shapes and sizes available – even hard flooring so your guests’ high heels don’t get stuck in the grass! Toilets, parking and seasonal weather all need to be considered when looking at this option though.
For more top tips on where to have your perfect day, read The DIY Wedding Manual (£9.99, Robinson) by Lisa Sodeau
The DIY Wedding Manual
by Lisa Sodeau
This book will show you that with a little bit of planning and preparation, it is possible to have the day of your dreams without starting married life in debt. The average cost of a wedding is about as much as a deposit on a house, but one thing the 'credit crunch' taught us all is that there are many areas in our lives where we can save money by doing things ourselves. So why should weddings be an exception? Whether it's boom or bust you don't have to spend a fortune. You really can create your own special day by doing it yourself and having fun along the way. This book is packed with top tips and money saving ideas for: Stationery, Venues, Flowers, Transport, Hair and Make-up, Photographs, Food and Drink, the Reception and much more - including tips from live brides and over 100 budget busting ideas.
