Tips For Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue in the UK

Planning your perfect wedding is exciting. You get to try, visit, taste, and experience a whole host of things to help you with your choices and make your final decision.

And amongst all the excitement of exploring your options…choosing a venue is one of the biggest and first decisions you will likely face.

Your venue choice is the start of your wedding planning journey, helping you to set the scene – the backdrop for all the rest of your wedding planning decisions.–  This means it can also be the point at which you become overwhelmed, taking on board a vast amount of information, opinions, and  online research.

But don’t worry! We’re here to help.

In this useful guide, we’ve pulled together some of our top hints and tips to help you find the perfect Nottingham wedding venue for your big day.

Finding a Wedding Venue in the UK

Know, set, and stick to your wedding budget!

How much you’ll need to spend is a big (if not, huge!) factor in what venues to start looking at.

Venue costs are the biggest part of your budget, so you need to know how much funds you have available, as this information may rule out some venues from the very beginning.

We’d also advise you to find out exactly what’s included in your venue hire as part of the price, for example, linens, chair covers, etc, or would these be optional extras? Knowing what’s included as part of the package wedding venues offer allows you to budget other aspects and areas better.

Choose your wedding style

Your big day is a reflection of yours and your partners style and personalities, so when booking your venue, you want to look for something that is unique to you.

Rustic, modern, traditional – what’s your style and vision for your big day and which type of wedding venue reflects you? It’s best to begin with the basics first, so you can figure out exactly what you’re looking for.

Write a list of your `must haves` and your non-negotiable. This will help you narrow your search while keeping your wedding vision in mind.

Know your numbers

Jotting down your guest list at an early stage will help give you a rough idea of numbers and help you understand if a wedding venue can accommodate them.

You don’t want to be cramped into a small space with nowhere to move; alternatively, you also don’t want a huge open space that feels empty!

You will also need to consider if you need tables and chairs, a dance floor, etc. and again, if your chosen venue can fit all of these additions plus your guests in.

Ask questions

There are no silly questions when you’re looking for help finding a wedding venue. It’s much better to ask questions and be armed with all the information you need to make the best decision rather than be stuck with something you don’t really want.

Some questions you can ask the potential venues include:

• What dates are available for our preferred wedding date?
• What is the maximum capacity of the venue?
• What is included in the venue rental fee?
• Are there any restrictions on vendors, catering or fireworks?
• Is there onsite parking available for guests?

Visit the wedding venue

And visit more than once! It’s always best to for a wedding show; and visit at various times throughout the day and week to get a true feel of the venue in question.

Of course, the ideal situation would be to visit the venue during the season you would like to have your wedding, and for golf course wedding venues, picking to visit on a nice dry day is always a bonus.

It’s also worth checking out customer reviews online. How have other couples found the venue? Can they share any photos?

Consider potential wedding dates

Some venues can be booked months (if not years) in advance, so it is always worth asking how far in advance you need to book, as your ideal wedding date may impact your search for a venue.

What is the venues pricing policy?

Also, make sure to ask if there’s a difference between peak and off-peak bookings? Do they have a cancellation policy.

Once booked, you will also need to find out if a deposit is due and when. Make sure to read all of their terms and conditions thoroughly and carefully before committing fully and signing on the dotted line.

Guest experience

We know that your wedding is 100% you and your partner’s day. However, it is important to bear in mind your guest experience, what you would like your guests to feel, and what they will take away from the day.

You want it to be seamless and enjoyable; from the moment they arrive at the venue, to the moment they leave.

When you find a wedding venue, think about how accessible it is:

• Is it close to nearby hotels?
• Does it have rooms and facilities on site?
• Will your guests require transportation?
• Does the venue have disability access?
• Is it LGBTQ inclusive?

These questions are important if you want to make guests feel comfortable, so they can relax and enjoy the excitement of your big day!

Wedding venue packages Nottinghamshire

Making your dream wedding a reality starts with choosing the right venue – so please, take your time, ask questions, stick to budgets, and don’t compromise on those must-haves. This is your big day!

Weddings at The Nottinghamshire are truly unique. Basking in our prestige golf grounds, our experienced wedding planning team is available and on hand to bring your vision and style to life.

We offer all-inclusive wedding packages in Nottinghamshire. Download our brochure or book a tour today to find out more about our wedding venue and exciting amenities.

Alternatively, contact us – we’ll be happy to help your dream wedding become a reality!