As the backdrop of the biggest day of your life, your choice of wedding venue is pretty important.
Your venue will be the place where you make memories, set the tone for your wedding day and ultimately create that dream theme that’ll be remembered by you, your new husband or wife, and your nearest and dearest for years to come. With this in mind, it should be the very first to-do you tick off your wedding planning list.
Whether you’re newly engaged or have enjoyed that just engaged feeling a little longer before beginning your big day plans, fine-tuning your favourites and viewing venues in person is a top priority. But what should you be looking for on those all-important wedding venue viewings? Read on to discover our golden rules for viewing your shortlisted wedding venues…
Prepare yourself
Whilst you are certain to have taken your research very seriously indeed before contacting your shortlisted venues to arrange viewings, there is yet more prep to be completed before you attend your appointment.
To ensure you have all the information you need to make a confident and informed decision, you should work out your estimated number of wedding guests and arm yourself with a selection of suitable wedding dates.
Defining your wedding budget and how much you can afford to spend on your wedding venue and any additional extras will also help you weigh up if hiring the venue is right for you and the rest of your big day plans.
Ask lots of questions
Beyond the basics, many more questions need to be answered to help you make your wedding venue choice. The best time to ask them is at your viewing.
Brides reveals another important question to ask during your wedding venue viewing, and one that is a deal-breaker for many marrying couples:
“Ideally, you’ll want to be the only event on-site on your wedding day, as having other events happening can result in less setup time, limited venue access, and confusion for your guests. If you’re not guaranteed to be the only event that day, find out how much it would cost to do a complete buyout, as well as ask about how the staff handles having multiple events at once.”
As an exclusive-use wedding venue, the answer to this very big question is simple for those viewing St Audries Park. We provide exclusive use of our house and grounds as standard, leaving you to enjoy your very own country house on your wedding day.
Take lots of photos
Having the venue clear in your mind when it comes to making that final decision is easier said than done, especially if you’re viewing multiple venues during those early stages of wedding planning. Taking lots of photographs of your wedding venue can provide the perfect refresher.
Along with your imagery, take notes throughout your viewing to ensure you don’t forget any details when crunch time comes.
Cover the basics
Don’t overlook the boring but essential facilities. Check out how accessible the venue is, how pristine their loos are, whether baby changing facilities are provided, and how well the venue is lit both inside and out.
Enquire about the wedding accommodation available on your wedding night or the night before to ensure the logistics of your big day can be made simple. These basics really do matter.
Use all your senses
All too often making the big decision about which venue is right for you comes down to a certain feeling. Use all your senses and be present during your venue viewing. Note down not just the answers to your questions but how you’re feeling throughout the viewing.
Looking for the perfect wedding venue for your special day? Book a viewing at St Audries Park and discover the setting you’ve been searching for.
