When it comes to organising a wedding there’s so much more to it than just the guest list, wedding invites and the dress. When you’re planning on spending so much money and making it a day to remember, it all starts with the venue.
Whether you’re planning on having a traditional church service or combining a ceremony and reception, the venue is where you want to start, where you can plan your theme, your colour scheme, your wedding vibe.
Vintage, nautical or floral – your wedding venue needs to be flexible enough to incorporate your ideas but affordable enough to accommodate your budget. Just what is it you’re looking for when it comes to making a decision? Join us as we take a look at what to look for in a wedding venue.
Budgeting
This is likely to the majority of where your money gets spent. On top of just hiring the place, you might also be looking at food for both an afternoon and evening meal, alcohol and entertainment. In some places you may have to pay more for table decorations and chair covers.
If you are able to absorb some of the costs by creating your own table decorations and place names, for example, then you’ll be able to save yourself a little bit of money to spend on your food or wine.
You will probably find yourself facing two options. The more all-inclusive, like Mint Springs Farm, where much of the cost is up front and you can see exactly what you’re getting for your money, choosing to add-on or remove at will. The alternative is the more DIY version where you hire a marquee or a room and build your reception around it. You’ll interview catering companies, bring in your own wine or hire a bar, decorate and so on. While the latter certainly gives you more control, it is always more hard work.
All Inclusive
When picking a venue that presents itself as the whole package, you want to make sure you feel confident with the team helping you to plan your big day. Are they great at communicating with you? Do they give you the hard sell on certain areas or are happy for you to pick and choose the finer details?
Before you commit to any venue or wedding package, make sure to sit down and talk through the options with the team. If you feel unheard or that their interests are held over your own, then reconsider the venue. You don’t want anything getting in the way of your big day.
Get that venue, get that photographer, the dress, the guest list and everything in place and then you can concentrate on what’s really important: exchanging vows with the person you love and plan on spending the rest of your life with, in front of all the people who matter most to you in the world. Then enjoy, relax and cherish each moment of your special day.
