Finding your dream Brides Venue - Points to remember!

Dreaming of your perfect venue be it a castle or country home decorated to within the finest detail, all your family and friends around you laughing and smiling commenting on how wonderful the day is. The setting is magnificant and just what you wanted......

 

 

Finding the perfect Brides venue is not as easy as it may seem. This part of the Brides process is often the most lengthy, tiring and realistically the most costly. You are going to love one place, your partner may not love it as much. The Brides venue that you want is one of the most important decisions you will make over your Brides preparations so don't rush into anything, shop around and consider what you really want for the big day.

 

The best way to approach venue finding is to make a shortlist of places that you would like to visit. You can't visit everywhere and this would be quite pointless as there are plenty of criteria in particular venues will need to meet to make the shortlist to start with. Here are some pointers I have drawn together to make the decision that bit easier for you both!

 

 

Type of venue

 

Consider the type of venue you picture on your Brides day and start researching within one certain area or a few not all or you mind will be boggled. There are plenty of choices to suit all couples and bear in mind your guests as well:

 

City location

Hotel

Restaurant

Marquee

Castle

Period Property/Stately Home

Private House

Home Brides

Alternate Brides (e.g. boat or boutique camping Bridess)

 

 

 

Civil or Church ceremony

 

Depending on the type of marriage ceremony you want may affect your decision also. If you are opting for a civil ceremony and would rather get married on location rather than in a registry office you will need to check which of the possible venues are registered for civil ceremonies. If you are opting for a Church ceremony you need to check out the Churches in the area (if you are leaving your parish) to ensure that they are adequate and nice enough for your Brides. You do not want to be driving for hours from a suitable Church to your Brides venue.

 

 

Guest Numbers

 

When you are researching your Brides venues draw up a draft of a guest list as guest numbers will significantly affect your choice of venues. Don't worry about people that you may get to know in the time running up to your Brides you will have some dropouts from your original list. If you are going above the 200 mark you are narrowing your choices. If you are having a small Brides you may opt for a venue that has some lovely smaller rooms as a ballroom would feel empty with so little people.

 

 

 

Proximity

 

Does the venue proximity matter to you and your partner. If you want to get married in your parish church it will so this will narrow your zone of opportune places. You can't expect guests to travel too far from the Church and this will take time off the Brides reception itself. Pick places that are a maximum of one hour away from the Church.

 

If you have a lot of people flying in from abroad it may be important to consider being near to a main international airport (Dublin, Cork or Shannon) for ease also.


Photographic Opportunities

 
If photographs of your Brides day are important to you it should be high priority for you to look for a location that has idyllic backdrops, beautiful gardens or if not fabulous location close by that you can take your photographs at before you attend the reception.
 

 

How much work you want to put in

 

Bridess require time and effort and it is important to consider your life stresses such as children or job that may affect this. If you opt for a hotel Brides for example, nearly everything regarding the venue is sorted out for you (décor, seating, linens, catering). If you choose a Brides at home/marquee or in a private house you may need to organise all the extras yourself which is time consuming. This doesn't cancel out these locations but you may need to hire a Brides planner just to take care of these parts.

Those who made the shortlist

Once you have made a shortlist of venues, lets say 3-5 venues, plan your visits over a few weekends. Ring ahead and ask the venue is it ok if you visit and when suits best as there may be Bridess on depending on the season. Always visit in daylight hours or if you would like to see the place at night also, go when its bright, have something to eat and wait till it gets dark.

When you do make your visits take with you a venue checklist as this will help you ensure that the venue has everything that you need and want.

Do not rush into making a decision. Visit all the prospective venues first but express your interest and ask if first refusal is possible whilst you are making up your mind. Read through the contract thoroughly that they present to you, making note of VAT, deposit requirements and interval payments, service charge and cancellation policies. If there is anything you disagree with or would like to amend in the contract do so before signing!!

Wishing you the best of luck in location your dream venue, you will view some fantastic places but just make sure your envisage your Brides there, that is what matters the most!


Photo Credits: Garden Terrace via Mark Capilitan Photography at Lough Rynn Castle, Couple infront of door at The Village at Lyons via OneFabDay, Brides in NYC via Brides.com, Bride on steps at St.Helen's Hotel via Bridesdates.

 

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Write by: Unknown - Tuesday, February 25, 2014