Ask The Experts: 6 Things to Look For When Choosing a Wedding Reception Venue

There are so many different things to consider when planning your wedding, a whole host of decisions need to be made, but these decisions need not stress you out or put you under any undue pressure, planning should be fun!
Of all the important decisions you’ll make when organising your wedding, perhaps the most important is choosing your wedding reception venue. The right venue is not just beautiful but practical too, and it sets the tone for this special celebration from the moment the guests walk in the door.
But with so many gorgeous wedding reception venues to choose from, here are six simple tips to help you find your perfect space.

6 Things to Look For When Choosing a Wedding Reception Venue

Photo by This and That Photography – full wedding here

The perfect atmosphere

The atmosphere of a space is something that’s quite hard to define. But you have to admit that every event venue, no matter how big, small, old, or new it may be, has its own unique ambience. It’s a result of a combination of factors, including the lighting, the decor, the architecture, the seating arrangements, and even the smell of the place.
So when you’re searching for a reception venue, consider what sort of experience you and your partner want at your wedding reception. Will it be traditional and formal, easy-going and casual, or somewhere in between?
Once you know what sort of vibe you want at your celebration, you can narrow your choices down to reception venues that fit the bill.

photo by Helen Lisk – full wedding here

An easily accessible location

The location of your reception will, in large part, be determined by where you choose to hold the ceremony itself. If possible, holding your ceremony and reception at the same venue is often a good choice — not only is it convenient, but it will also be cheaper than booking separate venues for the ceremony and the reception. The Big House Company have a wide selection of beautiful big houses that you can stay in.
But if you’ve got a special space in mind, make sure it’s within easy reach of the ceremony location so that getting there won’t be too much of a hassle for guests. You might also want to consider providing some form of transport for your guests between the two venues.

Photo by This and That Photography – full wedding here

Just enough space

The size of the reception venue is important for a couple of reasons. The first is purely practical, as the space you choose will obviously need enough room to seat all your guests and then let them hit the dance floor later in the night. Also, with enough space comes better ventilation which also sets a better mood for the whole event. Whether you play the music through the big speakers or those silent disco headphones, with enough space, it will bring out everyone’s dance moves.
The second is a matter of atmosphere. An intimate reception in a too-large venue can feel a little lifeless and dull, while trying to cram too many people into a tight space simply isn’t going to put your guests in a mood to party.
Once you’ve finalized your guest list, start looking for venues that are just the right size for your celebration.

photo by Carn Patrick – full post here 

Fantastic facilities

While it’s easy to get carried away with just how gorgeous a venue looks or how romantic the atmosphere is, don’t forget to focus on practical matters. Specifically, you need to make sure the venue has everything you need to ensure a smooth and stress-free event.

Factors to consider include:

• How much parking is available
• Whether there’s public transport nearby
• How many bathrooms are available
• Whether there’s an AV system in place for speeches
• Whether there’s a stage for a band or maybe a DJ booth
• The size of the dance floor

The must-have items will vary from one reception to the next, so put together your own list before you start comparing venues. You’ll then be prepared to visit potential candidates in person and check whether they tick all the right boxes.

photo by Johnny Dent Photography – full wedding here 

Sensational staff

This is an area of wedding reception planning that is sometimes overlooked. But the people behind a venue are almost as important as the venue itself — if they’re professional, reliable, and just plain easy to deal with, they can help take a lot of stress out of your entire wedding day.
That’s why it’s a good idea to assess venue staff from the moment you first make contact. How responsive and helpful are they? Are they flexible enough to accommodate your special requests? Are the servers and bar staff well trained?
With a committed team running things behind the scenes, your reception will run much more smoothly.

photo by This and That Photography. – full wedding here

The right price

Finally, the right reception venue is one that fits within your budget. It can be easy to get swept up in the romantic idea of planning a picture-perfect wedding day from start to finish, but make sure not to let this happen at the expense of your financial freedom.
Set a budget before you start comparing venues, and make a promise to yourself and your partner to stick to it. No one said the perfect wedding reception had to cost the earth, and you might be surprised just how many spectacular venues are out there that won’t break the bank.
Start comparing them today and find the perfect reception venue for your celebration.

photo by S6 Photography – full wedding here

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