Finding a wedding venue isn’t a simple decision, and I’d compare it to buying a house or a new car. It’s a big decision that really influences your wedding day in general. From the perspective of your guests to the literal surroundings in which you’re getting married and celebrating your wedding moments.
I did a lot of research online, and it just so happened that the first place we viewed was exactly what we were looking for. With that being said, let’s take a look at how to find the perfect wedding venue.
1. Lay the ground work
The first thing you’ll want to do is lay the groundwork. That means knowing how much you have to spend on your venue, which also should include venue dressing, catering costs and entertainment.
A guest list should also be drafted up, so you’ve got an idea of numbers. Some venues will offer plenty of space for guests throughout the day, whilst others might have a cap. I think ours was 150 cap, and we ended up having around 125-130 guests on the day, from my recollection.
2. Book the venue as early as possible
Whatever wedding venue you go for, it’s best to book the venue well ahead of when you plan to get married. This will likely save you some money in some cases, and it will ensure you can book all of your vendors, knowing you’ve got a venue secured. Some venues might want a sizeable deposit to hold and confirm the wedding date, so be sure to have this prepared as and when needed.
3. Ask the right questions during your visit
We only visited our venue once, but some wedding couples like to go a couple of times to make sure it’s the right venue for them. While we only needed one visit to decide on the venue, we did actually go back again to see it with our parents. Even looking back on our wedding photos now, it still makes me so happy to have picked such a beautiful venue.
It’s good to ask all of the questions when visiting the venue. From how many guests it can fit, to any restrictions and no-nos on the day. For example, our venue said we could only have dried flowers to use as confetti.
It’s also good to see what’s included in your package to make sure it’s a worthwhile option for you. Don’t forget to check what the backup options are for bad weather, especially if you plan to get married outside. Luckily for us, the sunshine gods gave us plenty of great weather throughout the day.
4. Check out previous wedding couples reviews and testimonals
Just like anything you may purchase online or in-person, it’s good to check the reviews and testimonals given by previous customers. A lot of wedding venues will showcase the wedding couple reviews and testimonals proudly on their site, ours included. Our venue, Combermere Abbey shared the stories of previous wedding couples, which was a big swaying factor in our decision.
Of course, you should also look on third-party reviews like Trustpilot for example or Google as not all venues using their website for testimonals are going to be legimate.
5. Pay attention to how quick the venue are to get back to you
Finally, pay attention to how quick the venue are to get back to you. Even the most popular venues will have enough staff in place to manage the incoming emails and queries coming in. If they’re taking a while to get back to you, that might make you question whether they’re the best option for your wedding day venue.
Combermere Abbey was a beautiful venue and one I wish I could relive again and again. We’re hoping to go back at some point, perhaps as a fifth wedding anniversary just the two of us.
Have you gotten married? Let me know your tips for booking a wedding venue in the comments below.
