Choosing the wedding reception venue is never an easy thing to do. It plays such an important part in the day, and let's face it, these days the choice is huge!
So where do you start?
Well rather than using a scattergun approach, your first task should be to sit down and draw up a short-list of potential candidates. So let's now take a look at just how to go about this.
Effectively, there are three factors to look at when trying to number down your choice of venues. They are licensing, location and type.
Licensing
First things first, if you're not looking to hold your Service and Reception all in the same venue, then don't waste your time hanging around here - instead, move onto the 'Location' section right now!
So, assuming you are still reading, one thing you need to know up front is that you don't have a completely free choice. In fact, there are a great number of venues in the UK capable of hosting a Reception that don't have a civil ceremony license. This means that whilst you may love the thought of having all of the wedding at a nearby castle, if it isn't on the list of approved premisies, then the Service will need to be held elsewhere.
Another thing to know at this stage is that venues can be added to, or removed from, the 'approved premises list' at any time. This means that the list can, and does, change on a very regular basis.
So how can you find out which premises have been granted a license?
One of the best ways to find out is to contact your local Register Office - they will be able to advise just what your options are and who you need to contact. However, another, more convenient, method is to use Weddingsday. Our Supplier Directory lists venues by location and type, and we will shortly feature every UK venue that hold a current valid civil ceremony license. This invaluable free service is right here at your fingertips, so why not give it a go?
However, before you head straight there and begin your quest, we'd suggest you take a quick look at the other points covered in this article to make sure you've got all the bases covered.
Location
The location of the venue will be of huge importance to all couples, regardless of whether they are heading down the civil ceremony route or tying the knot in a religious service.
For those wanting a civil wedding or partnership in an approved premise, the venue choice is pretty extensive with no real limitations on location. With this in mind, it is sufficent at this stage to simply have a geographic area in mind, and as it's purely down to personal preference, this isn't something we'll be able to help you on!
For couples geting married in a religious service, the choice of Reception venue will be somewhat limited. In fact, in any situation where the Service venue and the Reception venue will be different, the travelling time between the two will prove decisive. In all cases, try to keep journey times to a maximum of one hour, although under thirty minutes is much more appropriate. With this in mind, once your Service venue is determined, simply work out a travelling radius from there and you're off and running.
Type
There are lots of different types of venues from which couples are able to choose, with many wierd and wonderful venues available.
Castles, exclusive hotels, country/manor houses, multinational hotel chains, barns, farms, sporting stadia, golf clubs, function rooms in clubs, pubs and restaurants are just some of the potential options.
Whilst for some the decision on type of venue will be quite easy (perhaps you met at a football match and want to celebrate your wedding at function suite at the club for example), for others it will be a little more complex.
Perhaps the best way to number down your options at this stage, is to choose what type of venue you don't want to hold your Reception in. For some, the formality of a country house will be too much, whilst for others the simplcity of a local pub just won't have the desired impact or impressiveness.
Whilst a small number of couples will look to choose somewhere that has a multi-purpose function room (local restaurant or working mans club for example), the vast majority of couples will turn to a venue that is used to catering for weddings on a regular basis. With this in mind, if you fall into former category then you'll probably already have somewhere in mind. For all those wanting somewhere a little more traditional, check out our Supplier Directory. We only feature venues that hold a civil ceremony license, which means that only those venues who are truly focussed on weddings will be found.
So now you know you know how to shortlist, it's time to get on and start - check out the article entitled How to Make the Final Decision to help pinpoint the winner!
.
.
Related: There are hundreds of wedding articles on the site, each filled with superb ideas, advice and inspiration. Check out the links in the left hand column to read more. Alternatively, to search for a local wedding venue, product or service provider, try our Wedding Directory. With over 13,000 companies already listed, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
