Firstly are you hoping to hold the ceremony and reception in the same place? If you do then venues are required to have a licence which enables them to hold legally binding ceremonies. Alternatively you can have your wedding ceremony conducted at a registry office or at a church and then move on to another venue for your reception.
When choosing your venue it is a good idea to draw up a wedding guest list. You want to ensure the venue is big enough and works well for your needs. By inviting people to celebrate later at the evening reception it can help your wedding budget stretch that little bit further.
For most couples they opt to get married close to home or where the bride grew up. Getting married overseas is becoming increasingly popular, and with guaranteed sunshine it is ideal if your seeking a more intimate ceremony, the guests enjoy a holiday too and the bride gets to wear her wedding dress again if they throw a party on their return home.
The time of year you want to get married is another deciding factor. Summer and spring weddings are most popular, with couples hoping to be blessed with the sun shining on their special day. Many venues can cater for a winter wedding and as they are out of season you may receive a discounted rate.
Another essential thing to consider is your theme, as it should work in harmony with the venue. If you fancy an English tea party then an intimate outdoor venue or country barn would be perfect, a grand fairytale dream would be great in a castle or stately home or a chic and contemporary wedding is ideally located at modern hotel.
