Wedding Secrets Part 3. Top Ten Wedding Tips for Selecting the Right Venue For Your Wedding

Top Ten Wedding Tips for Selecting the Right Venue For Your Wedding

by Adele Yeomans of The Great Hall at Mains (21 years experience in running weddings and events)

Compare – The internet has become a wonderful tool – use it! When you first start looking for the venue of your dreams, it’s good to compare several to get a good feel of what each offers and how each venue deals with your initial enquiry. After all, if no-one gets back to you within 48 hrs or more, it could be a sign of things to come. A good venue will be in contact with their clients regularly by email or telephone.

Roger Yeomans owner of The Great Hall at Mains

Exclusivity - Look at the ‘Exclusivity’ of each – do you really want to be one of several brides on the day at the same venue.? This can happen a lot, especially if you choose, say, a hotel environment.

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TGHM Dressed by Creative Cover Hire & Flower Design

Budget - Your budget and price is a major factor, so shop around and see who is offering any ‘deals’ on late availability or special packages which help bring the price down considerably.

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Capacity - Think about what sort of wedding you want – small intimate, large numbers, themed, etc. Can the venue offer exactly what you want in terms of your special day?

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Wow factor - - Look at the photographic opportunities in and around the venue - after all, this most important day will be captured forever on film. Are there any unique features which stand out? How will your wedding breakfast layout look? Is there a ‘WOW’ factor? Is there an attention to detail that surpasses all other venues?

TGHM Civil Ceremony

Viewing - Most important – do go and look around the venue as soon as you can. Websites do not always do justice to the venues and there is nothing like getting a ‘feel’ for a place as soon as you walk in!

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Staff and Management - On that same vein – how are you greeted by their staff? Do they make you feel comfortable, confident and enthusiastic about your wedding day – or are they simply ‘going through the motions’. Getting a good team to run your wedding is vital, as is building up a good relationship and rapport with the people who will ostensibly ‘make or break ‘ your wedding day.

The TGHM Team from left to right Gemma, Melanie, Adele Yeomans (Owner) Chriss (Manager) & LizzieLizzie organising the brides gown
Suppliers -Does the venue offer to coordinate for you between suppliers etc.? This can take an enormous amount of pressure of you if you have someone liaising between florists, photographers, entertainers, transport people, caterers [ if applicable] and whoever else you may need to be involved in your big day. Do they have a list of recommended people that they use who are ‘tried and tested’ for outstanding quality, service and reliability.

Gail from The Astbury Studio , Chriss (Manager TGHM) & Stephanie Ashton from Ashton Photography

Food / Menu - Food is important these days. Gone are the days when people will ‘put up’ with mass catering at a wedding if it is not as good as one would eat out at a restaurant. We are all becoming more and more discerning about what we eat and standards at some venues are higher than ever before. But beware, not all are the same and a badly cooked or presented wedding breakfast can ruin your day. If the venue has their own chef, say in a hotel or country house, eat in their restaurant first if possible. If they use outside caterers, do some research on them, ask questions, do they offer food tastings prior to your wedding day, can they bespoke a menu exactly to your requirements. As we say, things have moved on considerably and we all know what we like to eat!

Thomas from Twelve Event Management Dulcie & Caroline from Twelve Event Management

Recommendations - And finally, do go on personal recommendations if at all possible or testimonials from other past clients. Impartial wedding sites such as Hitched, Foreverafter, Confetti and Tying The Knot to name but a few, have an extensive list of venues in your area and often show past clients’ testimonials. Ask your chosen suppliers if they have heard of the venue, or worked there. What do they think of it?

Regards
Adele Yeomans
Mains Hall & The Great Hall at Mains
Mains Lane
Little Singleton