One of the most important and crucial decisions when planning your wedding is finding the perfect venue, however this can often be a daunting process for couples due to the endless possibilities they can choose from!
So how does one decide and what should be contemplated in the thought consideration process? See below some key factors that we, at Love Lydia Weddings & Events, highly suggest and advise our couples to think about when searching for their ideal venue:
Location
This may seem like an obvious consideration but is of upmost importance as all guests will also need to be considered here. Many couples favour the idea of a destination wedding or one that is symbolic of where they met, which, while a lovely idea, may not always be close to home. As such, it is important to keep in mind the overall journey time and distance in which friends, family and guests will need to travel to, as this may also need to be considered into the total budget spend, to allow and accommodate for transport services.
Indoor / Outdoor Space
Choosing whether to have your wedding ceremony and reception in an indoor or outdoor setting is typically dependent on the time of year and season one intends to marry in and should therefore be a key consideration when evaluating the suitability of a venue. Located in the UK, we at Love Lydia are highly aware that weather is increasingly unpredictable and as such, a venue that accommodates for both indoor and outdoor space or has a wet weather contingency plan in place, may be a favourable consideration and definitely one couples should think about in the decision making process.
Availability
Perfect, you have found a gorgeous venue for your wedding! But is it available for your preferred day/date(s)?
It is a great feeling when you find a venue that highly resonates with you, but couples should always be mindful that their preferred date(s) may not always be available and they should pre-decide whether they will consider flexible dates to coincide with a venue’s availability or whether they are set on a specific date and only seek venues that have availability.
Venue Package
Different venues will offer a variety of rates, dependent on the location, time of year and suitability in accommodating your wedding. Depending on the size of a venue and your wedding requirements, some venues may be able to offer you ideal rates as part of a package deal i.e. include catering and furniture in the venue hire package. Other venues may only offer the venue rental or exclusivity of the venue grounds with no additional services, so this is another consideration for couples especially if they have a particular budget in mind.
Practicality & Amenities
Depending on one’s theme and style for their ideal wedding, amenities a venue can offer may also play a key role in the decision process of choosing a venue. For example, if a couple is looking at a long weekend stay for friends and family over a peak summer season date, they may desire a venue with particular outdoor facilities, such as a communal swimming pool or beautiful gardens to spend time in. Similarly, if couples are inviting guests who are elderly and may require wheelchair access or young children who will need to be occupied, i.e. with play areas, it is important to identify whether the venue can appropriately accommodate for your guest audience.
Identifying and choosing the ideal venue can be time consuming as there are a lot of important factors to consider throughout the search process. If you or someone you know is seeking assistance with their wedding venue search, please email info@lovelydia.co.uk where we can offer our suggestions and guide you through the whole decision process, ensuring you find the venue of your dreams!
