If you’re getting married, you want your wedding to be memorable and unique. But in order to do that, proper planning and preparation are necessary to achieve your dream wedding. One key factor in that journey is choosing a venue that suits the style you’re after.
Doing so can make your big day feel more connected to the space itself and the guests around you, bringing a synergy to the occasion visually, physically and emotionally. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
That said, finding a venue that matches your specific wedding style can be easier said than done. Although the variety of venues available can feel limitless, narrowing down your options can be complicated and challenging.
Luckily, there are both broad and specific considerations that can help you select a wedding venue that complements your style. Read on to learn more.
Determine Your Wedding Style First
Before starting the venue hunt, you must define your wedding style first. Doing so allows you and your spouse-to-be to carry out a more streamlined and less daunting search process. Generally, there are different wedding styles to consider for your special day, all of which dictate different dress codes, table and venue dressings, and, of course, the style of venue itself.
Some of the most popular include:
- Classic/traditional weddings
- Beach-based weddings
- Country house weddings
- Nautical weddings or events held on a boat
- Weddings inspired by festivals or those that follow a more ‘bohemian’ style
- Barn or farmyard weddings
- Vintage weddings
- Fairytale-style weddings
- Weddings inspired by glitz and glamour
- Seasonally-inspired weddings
Once you’ve alighted on an overarching theme for your wedding, you can hone in on the type of venue that would most appropriately host it. As much as anything, this is a process of elimination; you wouldn’t host a wintery affair, all snow-themed and frosty, on the beach, after all!
Though there are venues tailored specifically to each theme, if you’re keen for a more ‘blank canvas’ approach that allows you to dress the event how you want, then a search for private function venue hire in your area might be more fruitful.
Consider Your Budget
Of course, it’s also essential to factor in your budget when looking for a wedding venue that complements your style. Although a whole raft of different wedding venue styles are available, not all of them may suit your budget.
Hence, it’s best to check whether there are additional costs and expenses associated with the wedding venue. For example, some available venues offer everything you need for your wedding day, all-inclusive but ultimately more expensive, while others allow customizability or more freedom in the preparation. The latter approach, whilst encouraging creativity, can certainly get a little stressful at times.
Knowing these costs allows you to figure out how much you can afford for the appropriate venue for your chosen style of wedding, thereby streamlining your search process.
Don’t Neglect The Finer Details
Apart from the budget, it’s also crucial to consider the finer details when choosing a venue that fits your wedding style. This way, you can assess whether your prospective venue is the best place to hold your dream wedding, whatever your budget.
The following are some factors to look into when searching for your wedding venue:
- Access: Check if the venue is easily accessible for your guests. For example, if you want a beach wedding, determine if it’s easy (and affordable) to arrange transport for everyone to get to-and-from the venue easily.
- Capacity: Determine whether the space is large enough to accommodate your guest-list. If you want a garden wedding and are anticipating a relatively large guest-list, for instance, check that both the outdoor and indoor elements of the venue can receive your chosen number.
- Use of space: Know if there are strict rules about the use of space. Check if there are separate areas for the wedding ceremony and the reception, or if there are any rooms or corners of the venue that are out of bounds for guest usage.
- Food: Ask if there’s an on-site catering service, or if you’ll need to provide your own caterers. In the UK, it’s more common that wedding venues insist on you using their own caterers and set menus. That said, recent wedding catering trends point to a growing flexibility in this department.
- Staff: Are the staff helpful and responsive to your initial enquiries? This says a lot about their professionalism and how they’ll interact with your guests on the Big Day.
The finer details of a well-run wedding truly matter, so don’t be afraid to ask specific questions of your venue. One that’s confident in their operations will be only too happy to help!
Capturing Your Special Day
Just as your venue should complement your chosen wedding style, your approach to photography and videography should also align with your overall vision. A vintage-themed wedding might call for softer lighting and classic angles, while a glamorous celebration could benefit from dramatic lighting setups.
Whether you hire professional photographers and videographers or want to supplement their work with additional coverage, film equipment rental will provide you with lights, cameras, and audio equipment to capture your day exactly as you’ve styled it. When evaluating potential venues, discuss your photography needs with them—ask about power access for equipment, any restrictions on filming locations, and whether the venue’s layout supports the type of visual storytelling that matches your wedding style. A venue that accommodates your filming requirements as seamlessly as it suits your aesthetic will help ensure your memories are captured in perfect harmony with your vision.
Conduct A Site Visit
Research can be necessary when looking for a wedding venue, sure, but actually going there is absolutely crucial in your decision-making. Only then will you be able to tell if the venue feels right, which, ultimately, is the most important thing of all.
When you visit potential venues, don’t just focus on the obvious features. Walk through the entire space and imagine your wedding day unfolding there. Consider the flow from ceremony to reception areas, the natural lighting at different times of day, and how the venue’s atmosphere aligns with your chosen style. A rustic barn might look charming in photos, but visiting in person will reveal whether the acoustics work for your ceremony or if the lighting complements your vision.
Pay attention to practical details during your visit: where will guests park, how will elderly relatives navigate any stairs or uneven surfaces, and does the venue feel comfortable in different weather conditions? If you’re planning an outdoor element, ask to see backup indoor options and understand the venue’s contingency plans.
Take photos during your visit and, if possible, bring your partner and perhaps a trusted friend or family member. Sometimes a fresh perspective can spot potential issues or highlight positive features you might have missed. Don’t be afraid to ask to return for a second visit at a different time of day, especially if lighting is important to your style.
And with that, we wish you a long and happy marriage together!
