Find the perfect wedding venue

• Popular locations can get booked up years in advance. Try to start your search for a wedding venue at least a year before the day you intend to marry.
• Visit a number of different locations to get an idea of the variety, how much you will be expected to pay and the sort of facilities that are available.
• You will need to pay a deposit to secure your chosen wedding venue. You may also want to consider wedding insurance to cover an unforeseen cancellation.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you planning a religious or civil ceremony? This will obviously affect your wedding venue options.
• Do you want to marry at home or abroad?
• Would you like a location that has emotional significance for you as a couple? It may be the church where you grew up or a beautiful historic building that sets the perfect scene.
• Do you want the ceremony and the reception to happen in the same place? How many people do you want to invite? Would you prefer a small, intimate ceremony and a larger reception, or would you like all your guests to be with you every step of the way?
• Where will most of your guests be coming from? Do you want them to be able to stay overnight at your chosen wedding venue?

How much you can afford to spend will inevitably have an impact on your choice of wedding venue.

• Decide on a budget and stick to it.
• Find out exactly what is included in the wedding venue hire and what you'll have to pay on top.

Your chosen venue should allow you to have the celebration you really want. Check out the following details to make sure...

• Look into licensing laws and late-night curfews.
• Are there noise restrictions? If there are, that may mean you can't have a disco or live music.
• What are the parking arrangements?
• Does the wedding venue have adequate toilet facilities?
• Is there disabled access if it's needed?
• Do you have to use the wedding venue's preferred suppliers or can you bring in your own?
• Are there restrictions on the amount of decorations you can put up?
• What are the set-up and clearing-out times?
• Is there special seating for elderly or frail guests? Are there high chairs for children?
• If guests can't stay at the wedding venue, are there hotels nearby?