How to Choose a Wedding Venue in Devon & Cornwall | Planning Tips for Your Big Day

When you are getting married, there is so much to do, to plan, to choose. Decisions, decisions! But most of all, you want the day you get hitched to go without a hitch, and the one thing you need to organise to bring it all together and make the perfect day is the venue. Here are some tips that you need to take into consideration when choosing the perfect place.

Be True to You

This is time for teamwork. Don’t forget you are both looking forward to this day together, and it needs to work for both of you.

Do you have a vision of where you want to be? Is it a city wedding? Are you country people? Or beach people? Find somewhere that reflects both of your personalities. There are so many options out there: country estates, vineyards, picture houses and places with amazing views and epic backdrops.

Guest List

How many are you inviting? Your venue must be able to cater for the numbers that you want. If it is a big wedding for 300, do not set your heart on a venue that can only accommodate 100. If it is an intimate wedding for 10, pick somewhere that you won’t get lost in! My guide on who to invite to the wedding can help.

Logistics

Yes, these do matter. It is not just numbers you need to be aware of. If you are marrying in a church or register office first and then travelling to the reception venue, think about the travel time and the hiring of vehicles.

Also look at accessibility. If you pick your perfect venue and it has 60 steps to get to, do not forget the less mobile! Grandma will not want to miss out and may not be as agile around these obstacles.

Budget

An obvious tip, but stay realistic and work to what you can afford.

Check what the cost of the venue hire includes. The tables and chairs obviously will be, but can they accommodate the layout that you want? Does the hire charge include the table linen, decorated chairs, cutlery and crockery? It may seem obvious, but just double-check.

Will they provide table decorations? If not, are they happy for you to organise your own, and will they set it up or will you have to come in and do it? Do they have a good choice of menu to please all (or most, anyway) of your guests? Is there a table for the cake and a knife to cut it? And access for it to be delivered and set up?

Drinks on arrival: what can they offer, and are they licensed? Wine on the table: can they provide it within your budget, or charge a corkage fee if you bring your own? All small details maybe, but they can make or break your day, so you need to get it straight with the venue so you can all sit back, relax and celebrate.

Bizarre Requests

Do you have anything extraordinary you want at your wedding? Like a huge ice sculpture! Check that they can accommodate anything out of the ordinary. You don’t want any surprises on the day.

Visit More Than Once

After the initial visit, go a few more times. This will help you familiarise yourself with the layout and get the feel of the place, so you know how it is all going to work on the big day.

Write a List

Write a list of what you want your venue to do for you to make it work on your big day, along with a few other points you may need to take into consideration:

• Accommodation, for yourselves and any guests that may need it
• Privacy
• Is it licensed?
• Is it pet friendly?
• Good lighting – great for the photography!
• An amazing backdrop – another bonus for the photography!

My list of questions to ask your wedding venue is a good place to start.

Have an amazing day.