The process of planning a wedding is often a long, complex and stressful journey. There are so manyimportant decisions to be made. You will need to decide on the cake, the dress, the hairstyle, the band and of course – the wedding venue itself. Where the wedding takes place is one of the most important decisions and it will affect all of the other factors, so it is one of the first things you need to be looking at.
So how can you make sure that you are choosing the right place out of the many wedding venues in Cheshire? There is a lot to consider, so here are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind.
Do Think About the Style of Wedding You Want
Are you interested in a casual outdoor wedding or a very luxurious and upscale event? It’s important to think about your wedding style, so that you can determine whether you would be more comfortable in a barn, on the beach, at a historic house or in a vineyard. This will help you to eliminate venues that don’t fit with the style of your wedding.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Most hotels and reception halls in your area will be booked up several months to at least a year or two in advance – especially during the popular wedding season. This means that unless you want to be engaged for a long time, it’s a good idea to start shopping for wedding venues as soon as possible.
Also it’s important to choose the venue first because it acts like the anchor that brings together all of the other important pieces of the wedding planning puzzle – such as the music, the entertainment, the catering, the decorations and everything else in between. Once you have settled on your venue you will be able to start working on the finer details.
Do Be Flexible With Your Date
When you are looking around at wedding venues, it helps to be flexible with the date of the event. If you are set on a date, you might miss out on a venue that is not available that weekend. However, perhaps it might be available two weeks before or after your chosen date. If you can be adaptable and you aren’t tied to a specific date, then you will have much more choice.
Don’t be Afraid to Haggle
When you are choosing your wedding venue, feel free to negotiate the price. Some venues will offer you a better deal or throw in a few extra features if you just ask politely. It certainly doesn’t hurt to try and it will save you money on your wedding.
Do Set a Budget
Figure out how much of your wedding budget that you can afford to spend on the venue and make sure that you stick to that amount. If you don’t have a clear budget, it can be easy to get carried away and spend more than you intended to. Keeping the budget in mind will help you to figure out which venues are within your budget and which ones you should steer clear of.
Don’t Overfill a Venue
Just because you can fit 200 guests within a room, doesn’t mean that you should. Sometimes the venue will stretch the limits when they are advertising the venue, in order to make it appeal to more clients. If the venue is full to capacity it can feel a little crowded and the facilities such as bathrooms and parking might not be sufficient. When you are looking at the venue it is better to ask, “What number of guests is most successful in this space?”
Do Have a Backup Plan
If your wedding is going to be outdoors, or even semi-outdoors, it is important to have a backup plan for what you will do if it starts to rain. The venue should be able to help you transition to the backup space as quickly and seamlessly as possible, even if it starts to rain in the middle of the wedding proceedings, it always helps to have a marquee on backup.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Asking a lot of questions about a venue will help you to learn more about what they have to offer and decide whether they are the best choice for you. Ask the business manager, the catering manager and anyone else relevant all of your important questions about the venue, the event and the services offered. A good venue will be happy to answer all of your questions.
Keep these dos and don’ts in mind so that you can choose the best wedding venue from the many luxury hotels near Chester and have an extra special day.
