How to plan your dream wedding
So you have said yes – now it’s time for the hard work to start and for you to plan your dream wedding.
And one of the most important decisions you will have to make is deciding on a venue for your ceremony and reception.
First things first, work on your budget.
You may want a grand setting like a grand country house or a small, intimate, setting – or you may decide to run away to the sun to tie the knot and host a party for family and friends when you return.
But whatever you decide on, you must start by deciding on and sticking to a budget.
Here is our guide to helping you prioritise your spending and how to stick within your set budget too.
Don’t sign a contract with an expensive venue only to realise down the line you have no money left for that DJ you’ve been dreaming of booking.
Begin with a guest list – the cost of many of your budget items, from per- person food costs to bridesmaid bouquets, is going to depend on how many people you expect to attend.
Get spreadsheet happy – this is a place to track all of your research on wedding venue ideas so that you can organise it and then review it without losing your mind.
A word of warning – the most frustrating part of finding a venue is the initial research.
If you can’t find answers on a venue’s site, use the spreadsheet to reach out with your questions via email. Often venues are stingy with info online but, if approached, they have marketing information ready to share that has a lot of the initial information you will be looking for.
When creating your very own research spreadsheet for wedding venue ideas, these are some of the details to consider:
Availability, type of venue – such as hotel, outdoor, historical, restaurant – and layout. Take a note if it has space for all aspects of your wedding ( the ceremony, cocktails, reception).
Sometimes this isn’t clear until a site visit. If you are doing a cocktail party rather than a sit- down meal, the space is likely to fit more people.
On rates, enter the rough information available online. You can have a further column for when you narrow things down.
Take a note of websites so you can easily go back and remind yourself of photos on the venue’s site.
Have a column for restrictions – does the website list any major restrictions, such as a definite end time that would affect your decision?
Car parking and transportation are important. Make any notes regarding free parking, public transit access, or other transportation considerations.
A column for facility extras is very important. List here any items included with the venue, such as audio visual equipment, chairs, tables, linens, etc.
On catering, see if they have restrictions, such as an in- house caterer or a preferred list of caterers you are required to work with.
Money, money, money – can you afford this venue? Don’t torture yourself and look at a £ 12,000 venue if you have a £ 5000 budget.