Research reveals that the average cost of a UK wedding is £30,000. With so much invested in your special day, you deserve a wedding venue that will exceed your expectations, represent good value for money, and ensure your special day runs as seamlessly as possible.
Arguably the defining aspect of your Big Day, your wedding venue isn’t something you should risk taking a punt on. One way to ensure this is by scheduling a site tour of your chosen venue. A site visit allows you to explore the space, meet the venue team, and identify potential issues. – the latter of which you definitely don’t want arising on the day itself.
Today, we delve a little deeper into why a site tour is a crucial step in creating a memorable and stress-free wedding day you and your guests will never forget. Here’s why you need a site visit of your wedding venue.
Visualise Your Decor & Design
Have you already visualised how your wedding decor and design will look at the location? Thankfully, the site visit can give you exactly that. You can see how the lighting and colours interact with the venue’s architecture and layout, adjusting your planned decor and design elements when you visit the site in person.
Moreover, it will be an opportunity to explore different options for placing your tables, chairs, and other decor items. Seeing how your vision will come together in the venue can help you make more informed decisions.
Read: How to choose a wedding venue that complements your wedding style
Meet The Team
A site tour is an excellent opportunity to meet the venue team, who will be helping you create a memorable event in the image you (and perhaps your wedding planner) have envisaged. Only in person can you get a sense of their professionalism, experience, and personalities, all essential elements on the Big Day.
This one can’t be overstated; having a good rapport is crucial because you will work with them throughout your planning process, and on the day itself, their relationship with you will reflect in the delivery of service, make no mistake.
Having close contact with staff members allows you to ask further questions about the venue, their policies, and prior experience with themed weddings without feeling like you’re becoming a nuisance. Instead, with that rapport cultivated, the team can suggest how to make the most of the space and create a memorable, personal wedding experience.
Identify Potential Issues That May Crop Up
Issues? What issues? My wedding day is going to go off without a hitch, you say…
Think again; even the most meticulously planned weddings are beset with behind-the-scenes problems to solve; the key is in anticipating them.
A site tour can be a great opportunity to identify any potential issues that could arise on your wedding day. Nobody wants mishaps on their special day, but making backup plans is definitely sensible.
Are there accessibility concerns, and does the space layout work for your plans? Are any restrictions or noise ordinances in place that could impact your event? Are there any physical obstacles to the smooth flow of the ceremony and reception? These potential issues should be pinpointed early to avoid needless stress on the day itself.
Get A Feel For The Space
Pictures and videos of a venue can be helpful, sure, but nothing beats seeing it in person. As the wedding venue experts at St Osyth Priory tell us, ‘’a site tour allows you to see the layout of the space, understand the flow of the event, and envision how it will all come together.’’
All essential stuff, but just as important is that instinct and intuition you’ll feel when engaging with a venue first-hand. You can get a sense of the atmosphere, the ambience, and the vibe of the venue. Seeing the space in person will give you confidence that the location is right for your special day.
Assess The Catering Service
Many wedding venues offer catering services, and a site tour might be an opportunity to taste your food options for the event. You can try different menu items and see the presentation of the dishes. You can also ask questions about the catering team’s experience and ability to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences. Sampling the food options can give you a better sense of the quality of the catering service and help you decide on the menu options.
Lastly, a site tour offers the opportunity to clarify logistics and other relevant details. Sometimes, it may be needed to carry out more than one site tour of the venue to ensure every detail is attended to, and your wedding is everything you ever dreamed it could be.