Finding a Wedding Venue that suits your needs is perhaps almost as essential as picking your dream dress. Once you have found the perfect venue, the rest of your wedding will come together with ease as details such as decor, style and the colour scheme of your big day will be inspired by the location you have selected. To help you determine whether a venue is your ideal fit, it’s important to consider a variety of scenarios and keep these important factors in mind.

Decide What Type of Venue You Desire

Manor houses, country hotels and other listed buildings are very popular for weddings and create a gorgeous backdrop for anyone wanting to enjoy a special day surrounded by architectural splendour and rolling meadows. Most country estates that hold weddings are well versed in the procedures and offer a variety of packages that can be tailored to fit your needs. However, if you prefer something a little less traditional, there are many other avenues that can be explored. Depending on your personality, you may want to opt for a quirkier establishment. When you decide on your venue, it is essential that you consider the time of year. A wet-weather alternative is always a good idea to ensure that rain doesn’t ruin your day.

Check Your Space Requirements

One of the most important aspects of choosing a wedding venue is making sure that you can accommodate everyone on your guest list. This may seem like an obvious consideration, but often a venue is seen empty, and once chairs, a band stand or DJ stage and lighting are in place, the size of a room quickly becomes reduced. An outdoor venue is a great option for a large wedding as there is plenty of space. Any venue that has an indoor-outdoor flow will also easily accommodate an excess of guests. If possible, ask the venue if you can sneak a peek at another wedding of a similar size and see how the space is utilised and how much elbow room there is for every guest.

Confirm the Existing Colour Scheme

There’s nothing worse than finding your perfect wedding venue and realising the decor doesn’t match your dream colour scheme. When looking for a venue, it’s essential that you check whether the walls and decor are neutral or will suit a colour scheme that you desire, and that you are not going to end up clashing pink table cloths with red walls or similar. You’ll also need to check that the style of your decor doesn’t conflict with the venue’s, and that you are able to decorate as you prefer.

Look at the Lighting

Lighting can create an ambience and enhance the mood of your wedding, and it’s a very important factor to address when looking at a venue. If you are getting married during the day, check the room or hall you will be in and make sure that the lighting is adequate. If natural light is not in abundance on your special day, you’ll need to make sure there are suitable electric lighting alternatives. For an evening wedding, especially if held outside or in a marquee, you’ll need to check the lighting available and ensure that not only is the venue lit up, but the paths leading back to cars and to bathrooms are also illuminated. It’s always best to check your venue at the time of day you will be marrying to make sure the lighting is flattering and will create the right mood.

Determine Your Venue’s Flow

When looking for a venue, you’ll need to envision how the day will play out and where people will enjoy every wedding-related activity. A room’s shape is very important, and you’ll need to ensure that there is adequate room for people to sit or dance. If there are any obstructions in a room or outdoor area, these should also be noted and worked around, as you don’t want anyone to miss out on the occasion because their view is obscured by a pillar, marquee support or tree. You’ll also need to check the preferred position for the bride’s table and make sure that you can set up your reception seating plan as you prefer.

Maximise Your Venue’s Potential

If you’ve found what you think is your ideal wedding venue, make sure that your idea of location for the ceremony and reception is allowed before you go ahead and book. Restricted access to lawns or other areas may put paid to your dreams of marrying with a gorgeous backdrop of rolling fields, or the idea that you have of marrying in a specific room may not be met with enthusiasm by a wedding co-ordinator. Communication is key in this regard, and it’s essential that you state your requirements to the venue and that they agree to your wishes.

Look at the Bigger Picture

When you think you have found the perfect venue, it’s important that you don’t get carried away before you check specifics. Finer details like whether the acoustics are suited to your special day and if there are noise restrictions that must be observed are vital to your planning. You’ll need to make sure there won’t be any echoes when saying your vows or enjoying the music. Toilets, parking and other practical amenities must also be checked, and small details such as ample electrical outlets and the closing time of the venue must be established up front.

When choosing a location for your wedding, there are numerous factors that you need to consider. Often it’s the smallest details that make the most difference. When you find a venue that’s the perfect fit, you’ll know almost immediately and your dream wedding should take shape with ease.