How to choose your wedding venue
Decide your budget: Before you start looking at venues, establish a budget for your wedding. This will help you narrow down your options and focus on venues that are within your price range.
Start by deciding on the budget for your whole wedding day and include your honeymoon as well. Lots of couples now ask for a monetary gift to go towards their honeymoon so this could be an option. The average spend for a wedding venue tends to be around 35-40% of your budget so it needs to be researched well. When I ask most couples how they chose theirs they will say they just walked in and knew it was the right fit for them.
Your wedding style
Define your wedding style and theme: Consider the style and theme you envision for your wedding. Do you want a rustic barn wedding, an elegant ballroom, a tepee or marquee in a field or a traditional church wedding. Knowing your style and vision for your day will help you in your selection and once you have an idea or your preference, you can begin to shortlist.
Estimate the guest count: Have a rough idea of how many guests you plan to invite. This will help you to quickly add or cross venues off your list. You don’t want a space that is too cramped with guests knocking elbows at the table nor do you want it looking like nobody turned up because there is too much negative space. If a room is laid out with the number of seats you require and it looks a good fit, it probably is.
Your wedding venue
Consider the location: Think about where you want to host your wedding. Do you prefer a local venue or a destination wedding? Think about the convenience for your guests, not just travelling there but also getting home afterwards. Do you have guests that struggle with accessibility or any travel and accommodation requirements?
Research and shortlist venues: Start researching venues in your desired location that fit your style, budget, and guest count. Look at websites and ask wedding photographers. They will happily show you photos from your chosen venues so you can decide before you even visit whether it looks like a good fit for you. Create a shortlist of venues that catch your eye.
Visit and evaluate venues: Schedule visits to your shortlisted venues to get a first hand look and feel of the space. Pay attention to the ambience, layout, amenities, and overall condition of the venue. Consider practical aspects such as parking, restroom facilities and wheelchair accessibility. Can you picture yourselves and your guests there, does it feel like somewhere you’d like to spend one of the most important days of your life?
Enquire about availability: Check with the venues about their availability on your desired wedding date. Popular venues can get booked quickly, so it’s important to confirm if your preferred date is available. I am already taking enquiries for 2026 from couples who have their venue booked, this shows you how far ahead some couples are planning. So start looking ahead to where you would like your wedding to be.
Evaluate the venue’s services and policies: Enquire about the services offered by the venue, such as catering, bar services, and coordination. Understand their policies regarding vendor restrictions, setup and teardown times, and any additional fees or requirements. Do you want to have to get up the morning after your wedding and have the place cleared by 8am, or even worse have to do it on the night of your wedding. All good questions to ask the wedding team.
Consider your specific needs: Take into account any special requirements you have, such as a specific ceremony space, outdoor options, or accommodation for out-of-town guests. Ensure that the venue can accommodate your needs and any backup plans in case of inclement weather. If an outside wedding is your dream that’s great but do be aware that registrars won’t conduct a ceremony in the rain so make sure your venue has a backup plan.
Compare costs and contracts: Review the pricing and contracts of each venue. Understand what is included in the package and any additional costs for extras or upgrades. Carefully read and understand the terms and conditions before signing any contracts. Then read it again. Can you have your dog with you, are you allowed to hire an ice cream van, or garden games, is the cutlery included or added to the price, do you have to bring your own knife to cut the cake.
Trust your instincts
Trust your instincts: Finally, trust your instincts and choose a venue that feels right to you and your partner. Consider the overall ambiance, how well it aligns with your vision, and the level of service and professionalism you experienced during your interactions with the wedding team. You need them to be as excited by your wedding plans as you are and not feel like you’re just another number on a conveyor belt.
I work with some amazing wedding teams and am always happy to help if you need advice. I have a dedicated page on my website showing many of the venues I regularly cover or am a recommended supplier at. You can find those venues and read more about them here.
Ripley Castle Wedding Photography- North Yorkshire Wedding Photographer
Blackwell Grange Hotel- Darlington Wedding Photographer
Wedding Supplier Love in North Yorkshire- Yorkshire Wedding Photographer
