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The wedding venue is one of the important aspects of your wedding. It’s often the first thing that couples decide on as it can influence everything that follows from catering to entertainment options. There are so many venue options to choose from that some couples can struggle to know where to start. This post lists some of the most important factors to consider, which could help you to narrow down a venue.

Budget

The venue is typically the biggest cost of any wedding. Decide how much money you have to spend overall, and how much of that budget you are willing to put towards a venue. On average, couples in the UK spend £8,400 on a venue. If you don’t have anything near that amount of money to spend, don’t worry – some community centres, village halls and pubs can be rented out for less than £1000. The season and day of the week you choose can also affect the price (summer weddings on a Saturday are the most expensive option, while winter weekday weddings are the cheapest option).

Location

Do you want to get married locally? Or would you prefer to get married somewhere else? Many couples travel across the country or even go abroad to have dream weddings on the beach or overlooking a lake. You need to consider whether guests are willing to travel as far for your wedding and whether you can afford the cost of travelling there. Local weddings can often be more convenient for guests and easy to organise. It may also be necessary if you’re planning a Christian wedding in a church (you typically need to have a connection to the parish you’re getting married in).

Season 

What season will you be getting married in? As already mentioned, winter weddings are cheaper, but you’ll likely need a venue with a lot of indoor space. When planning a summer wedding, a venue with plenty of outdoor space is recommended. Somewhere with a scenic outdoor area could result in better photo opportunities. 

Style

Weddings come in many styles and may be centred around certain religions, cultures or themes. It’s important to consider what style of wedding is right for you and which venues are suitable. Historical opulent venues like St Osyth Priory are popular as they provide a dreamy romance. Converted barns are meanwhile popular for a rustic country vibe. Others are drawn to more alternative venues such as boats, windmills, museums, zoos, vineyards and rooftop terraces. 

Capacity

It’s important to have a rough estimate as to how many guests you plan to invite so that you can make sure a venue has enough space to accommodate them all (this guide at The Knot offers more tips for planning for a large guest list). Weddings with huge guest lists are likely to require a huge venue. If you’re only planning a small wedding with a few guests, a smaller intimate venue might be more appropriate. 

Amenities

Consider what types of amenities your ideal venue needs. On-site catering and accommodation could be useful when choosing a reception venue. Plenty of parking space could also be useful if you’re going to have lots of guests driving to the venue. Some venues will also provide sound, lighting and furniture. Features like ramps and disabled toilets could meanwhile be a must if you or any of your guests have disabilities. 

Rules

Finally, you should consider what rules certain wedding venues may have in place. Some venues don’t permit alcohol, music, pets, food trucks, smoking or candles. Check what is allowed at the venue before paying any deposit.