Firstly congratulations on your engagement! You’ve probably got an idea in mind of what you would like your big day to be and I want to help you make it a reality, so here are some pointers for you to consider when you start venue hunting.
Your Budget
You might have an idea of your wedding budget, this doesn’t need to be a full itemised list at this point but a rough guide will help with your search for your perfect day. There’s nothing more heart breaking than finding your perfect venue or location and realising it’s either too small or over budget. Calculate a rough idea of how many guests that you be expecting before you start your venue search, many of venues have per-head packages, so work out how much you’d like to spend on each of your nearest and dearest to get an estimate.
Catering
Firstly check with your chosen or possible venue if they offer in-house catering or if they have a preferred suppliers list to see if there are any that might suit your requirements. If you’d prefer to bring external catering then make sure the venue allows this. Choosing your catering is a really fun part of planning your wedding. Think of all the tastings you will get to try!
Location & Guest Accommodation
Logistics are not the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it’s the small details that will ensure your day runs smoothly. Make sure you consider the chosen location and how accessible it is for all of your guests in terms of both public transport and parking. Make sure to keep guest accommodation in mind too. This may be available at your venue if they have parking, check the space numbers, if your venue doesn’t offer parking or a small amount of spaces it’s a good idea to look at the nearest place as an alternative for your guests.
Just Ask
This has to be the most important point of any wedding planning. It is incredibly easy to get carried away when you see a lovely venue but remember don’t commit until you have all the information. Create a checklist of things that are deal breakers for you, this will help you to stay objective on your show-around. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at any point, remember this is YOUR day. As an example; when are they licensed until? Are you allowed to bring in outside caterers? Are you allowed that live band in? What will the setup be like? How will the event flow through the venue? What time will the bar be open until? Who will be the point of contact on the day?
Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Rugby?
I’m Emma Lowe Photography, based in Rugby Warwickshire. I offer natural beautiful wedding photography for all types of weddings across the UK. Congratulations on your engagement and have fun looking for your perfect venue.