10 tips for choosing a wedding reception venue… So you are starting out on the journey towards the most important day of your life, and one of the first things you will search for is the perfect wedding venue. But the amount of information (and questions) can initially seem overwhelming, and so in this article, we give you 10 points to consider to help give you a head start.

  • The date – how important is it for you?

More and more couples are increasingly flexible in order to make sure they secure the venue of their dreams. For some, this is not possible because their preferred date may have sentimental value. However, if this is not the case, it may be that varying the date by a week or two (or a month of two) may be the difference in securing their ideal venue. And for destination weddings there probably won’t be the need to tie in with a town hall or church ceremony, which makes life easier still!

  • The capacity

When thinking about a venue’s capacity, it is easy to have tunnel vision based on the number of people on your guestlist. Obviously, you need to ensure there is enough space for your guests, but a venue can be too large as well as too small, especially for those with an intimate wedding in mind. Hence, can you do everything you want on-site. Also, is there a space to hold a ceremony? Furthermore, does the venue have nice spots for photos to save you having to move from the reception venue? But also, are there spaces for an apéritif, maybe for your dinner outside? Finally, is there an alternative option available in case of bad weather (but don’t forget, this is Provence so this is highly unlikely during the summer months!)?

  • Location – a key point in deciding on a venue

Is the venue easily accessible? For destination weddings, being close to an airport or train station will be important, whilst having motorway links within easy distance is also key. Furthermore, for some people, a venue in a town with accommodation close-by might be important, particularly if there is not accommodation on-site. On the other hand, for others, part of the allure of a destination wedding might be a venue in the middle of the countryside.

  • Parking

Building on the previous point, it’s important to check whether the venue you’re planning for your wedding has a car park big enough for all your guests’ cars. Hence, ask whether the car park is private and whether it is free or if charges apply. Increasingly, having charging points available can be a big plus point.

  • Accommodation – one less thing for you to worry about !

Think about comfort and safety… Whether for you or for your guests, the possibility of sleeping on-site or in the surrounding area can be a major plus when choosing the venue for your wedding reception. For destination weddings, there is a good chance a large proportion of your guests will be travelling from far afield. Therefore,having accommodation at your venue enables you to have more precious time with them both before and after the big day.

  • The Price

You will be comparing a whole range of reception venues to find the one of your dreams. And for some couples, the budget will be a key selection criterion for their wedding. However, it’s important to compare like with like. Therefore, be sure to ask what is included in the rental price of the reception venue. Furthermore, ask them whether in terms of start and end times, furniture, lighting, etc.

  • Exclusive use of the reception venue

For some couples, it is absolutely essential that they have exclusive private use of their wedding. On the other hand, for others this is less of a priority. Discuss the pros and cons between you to make an informed decision on an aspect of the big day that can be very important when making your selection.

  • Support and access to the venue

Remember to ask the reception venues you have pre-selected to what extent and under what conditions they will be there to answer your questions. Furthermore, remember to also ask them how much access they give you to their venue during the preparations for your wedding.

  • The flexibility (or otherwise) of the package

Some reception venues only offer venue hire. Others, on the other hand, offer complete packages from which you have to choose. Some venues impose certain aspects, others do not. That’s why it’s important for you to decide what kind of flexibility you’re looking. Indeed, remember, this is to create the wedding of your dreams.

 

  • The type of venue – something to think about from the outset when choosing a wedding reception venue 

To avoid wasting time on your visits, think in advance about the style of wedding you want. That way, you can select a reception venue that matches the style of your ideal wedding. Therefore, that will free up some precious time for other aspects of your preparations.

 

So, there we have 10 points to consider when choosing a wedding venue.  Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll be able to make a start on planning the other key elements of your wedding.  Maybe your wedding venue can help you with that ? To help you get started, this article will help you to select your DJ !