PLACES / THE VENUE NOTEBOOK
Wedding venues,
beyond the view.
Yair Haklai / CC BY-SA 4.0.
A beautiful setting is a beginning. It is not the whole day.
Think about the people who will use the space, the journeys between rooms and the plan when the weather changes.
Ask to see the rainy-day version, too.
01 / THE RUNNING ORDER
Walk through the whole day.
Request a floor plan, a sample running order and a written description of what the hire includes. Establish which rooms are private, how long you can use them and who handles the change between ceremony and dinner.
02 / THE GUESTS
Look at the route, not just the room.
Ask where guests are dropped off, how step-free access works and where accessible toilets are located. Describe your actual requirements. A general accessibility statement may not answer the question for a particular guest.
03 / THE WEATHER
See the indoor alternative.
Ask to see the indoor ceremony and photograph options, not just the outdoor setting. Check the point at which the weather decision is made and who communicates it to suppliers.
04 / THE QUOTE
Put the same questions to everyone.
Make a table of hire periods, included furniture, catering arrangements, accommodation, deposits and cancellation terms. Confirm current details directly with each venue before paying.
The venue needs to fit the wedding you are actually planning. Bring the answers back to your guest list, ceremony and budget.