In the early stages of wedding planning, there are bound to be countless questions floating around. Everything wedding-related will be up for discussion, from the style of flowers and size of the cake to what you’re going to wear. But arguably the most important question that needs to be answered is how to choose a wedding venue.
Finding a wedding venue to host the biggest event of your life is a whole process. And as fun as it may be, any ‘where should I have my wedding quiz’ won’t be able to choose a wedding venue for you. No one wants to leave finding a wedding venue to the last minute. That’s not to say there aren’t some great late availability wedding venues out there, but it’s always good to plan in advance so you can visit wedding fairs and open days.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the fantasy and fall in love with a location, without weighing up the logistical issues and practicalities. To make the search for a wedding venue a little less taxing, we’ve put together a selection of steps and tips to find a wedding venue so you can tie the knot somewhere you love.
When thinking about how to choose a wedding venue, the first thing you’ll need to do is draw up a list of non-negotiables (and be open to compromise). This might include wedding venues with on-site accommodation, outdoor ceremony spaces, or in-house wedding coordinators.
At the end of the day (no matter what your parents say), finding a wedding venue is about the couple. So when considering how to choose a wedding venue, try and get back to what’s most important to you, whether it’s hosting a beautiful celebration with aesthetics to match or finding a location that reflects your lives together.
How many wedding venues should you visit?
To avoid getting overwhelmed, aim to shortlist six venues, view three, and (of course) pick one! To prevent wedding fatigue and confusion, try not to visit more than two venues on the same day, and be sure to take as many photos and videos as possible. But remember, while viewing a venue in its blank canvas form is helpful, it’s best to book in for a wedding showcase or open day so you can get a feel for capacities, style, and ambience.
How to decide between wedding venues?
One of the biggest problems couples face is deciding between wedding venues. A simple pros and cons list might not help in this situation, especially if the venues in question are relatively similar. Instead, have a frank conversation with the venue, organise a second visit, and ask for more imagery, floor plans, and video footage from past weddings. This way, you can get a more holistic view of what a wedding at each venue might look like.
How far in advance should you book a wedding venue?
There’s no definitive answer to this one. In general, couples tend to book a venue between 18 and 12 months in advance of the date. Sometimes this is to allow for more planning time, but it often depends on availability. Some venues may get booked up years in advance, particularly for summer weddings. This doesn’t mean your ideal venue won’t be available sooner, especially if you’re happy to be flexible with the date.
How to choose a wedding venue
It might take a few weeks to narrow down your options, but it's worth it to find the wedding venue of your dreams. Take a look at our step-by-step guide to picking the perfect place for your special day.
Draft a guest list
Before you go any further and fall in love with a venue, you need to know the cold hard facts. The first step in how to choose a wedding venue is to gauge the size of the event. The last thing you want is to spend time exploring venues only to find they're all too small to accommodate your party. Equally, if a wedding venue is too large your party may feel dwarfed in the space.
This means counting up all potential guests and getting as accurate an estimate as possible. It’s easy to underestimate how many people you’d like to invite (and how many your parents will add!). So it’s always a good idea to pick a wedding venue that can accommodate a few extra people.
We spoke to Sophie Mitchell-Bird, Wedding Manager at Lainston House, to get some expert tips. 'When drafting your guestlist, start with your essential loved ones that you know you 100% want there on the day and then create another list for guests that you’d like to be there on the day but are not essential. Remember that guests who you don’t invite to the day could always come and join you as an evening guest helping you to celebrate on the dancefloor!’
![bridge and groom walking up stairs]()
Pennyhill Park accommodates up to 120 guests but offers intimate wedding options for smaller gatherings
‘Focus on quality over quantity; you don’t need to invite people just to fill the room. Consider whether to invite children and if you need to include a work colleague's partner. Be sure to double-check RSVPs for smooth seating arrangements.’ - Maddy Ross, Wedding & Events Coordinator at Pennyhill Park
Set your budget
It’s common for couples to spend more than planned; sometimes the list of paid services and items just seems to grow and grow. Decor and florals will drive up the price, so you’ll need to balance certain aesthetic decisions and desires with the essentials.
‘Once you have agreed on your ideal budget, start to look at the different areas of planning (budget, food, flowers, entertainment etc) and where you may like to prioritise more of your budget towards. By using wedding apps or spreadsheets you will be able to track your budget along your wedding journey.’ - Sophie Mitchell-Bird, Wedding Manager at Lainston House
Part of the problem is the temptation to add more and more details as the excitement of the event builds. You’re going to have a lot of conversations with friends and family about wedding ceremonies and receptions, but just be wary - their vision won’t always align with what’s important to you. So where possible, try and keep your planning as close to your initial vision.
That being said, if specific floral arrangements, entertainment, or additional features appear on your non-negotiables list, there are solutions. Many venues offer reduced prices for off-peak seasons and midweek dates.
Consider the location
One of the most important tips when considering how to choose a perfect wedding venue is to think about location and logistics. As your guests are likely to travel from different areas in the UK or even overseas, choosing a wedding venue in a remote location might mean you receive fewer RSVPs.
For this reason, you may want to consider a city wedding venue. But do your research, there are plenty of gorgeous coastal venues for sea-front celebrations and woodland wedding venues in the UK that are well connected and offer on-site accommodation.
![Large manor house with acer trees and japanese garden]()
Fanhams Hall feels like a secluded countryside venue, but it's just five minutes away from Ware Station and boasts 77 gorgeous bedrooms
‘Think of all transportation and accommodation options. Is there a train station nearby for those not driving? Are there local taxi numbers the venue can share with your guests to pre-book? Is there accommodation onsite for those who wish to just walk a few paces right onto a soft comfy bed after dancing the night away?’ - Symphonie Wolzak - Wedding Executive Fanhams Hall
Decide where to say 'I do'
You’ll also have to ponder whether to host the ceremony and reception in separate locations. If so, you’ll need to consider hiring transport for your guests or finding venues with free on-site parking. It’s always a good idea to do a dry run of the route around the time your ceremony is scheduled so you can assess the level of traffic and note down any tips or directions for guests.
Some ceremony venues might schedule several couples for the same day, so be aware, any delays might have a knock-on effect on your big day and push back the start time for your reception. To make things as simple as possible, try and book venues that are close to each other.
![wedding breakfast room and old church]()
Ansty Hall is located just a short walk away from a lovingly restored Victorian church complete with a 700-year-old chancel
Choose your wedding date
You’ll remember and celebrate the date of your wedding each year for the rest of your life, but there are a few things to bear in mind when choosing a wedding date. You might love the sound of a Saturday wedding, but it’s best to be open to midweek, Friday, and Sunday dates too.
‘When it comes to deciding on your date, we would only recommend one thing: flexibility. While venues tend to book up around two years in advance, Royal Berkshire can offer a variety of dates across all seasons. Try not to fix yourself on a specific date, perhaps choose a preferred time of year and gauge what works best for you!’ - Dominika Chylewska, Wedding Manager at Royal Berkshire
Bright and floral spring ceremonies and outdoor wedding venues are always popular. But if you explore wedding websites you may find that the winter wedding venues are more your style, offering cosy settings with candlelit dinners, roaring fires, and atmospheric interiors.
![wedding couple with sparklers and winter fur shawl]()
South Lodge offers discounted wedding packages from October to March, with further savings on Friday and Sunday weddings
Discuss your theme
Once you’ve got the preferred season for your wedding, the next stage is to think about how to find a wedding venue that can accommodate your style. There’ll be a lot of buzzwords floating around, but there is some overlap between them - and, of course, no obligation to follow every trend for each one. Whether you’re set on a theme or just starting out, keep an eye out for wedding planning content, and discuss what may be appropriate for the season, your budget, and you as a couple.
If you met at Christmas and are tying the knot in December, you might decide to incorporate some Christmas wedding ideas. Alternatively, if you prefer a laid-back atmosphere a rustic celebration in a beautiful barn wedding venue might be more your style, whereas those who have always dreamed of a fairytale wedding should take a look at some castle wedding venues. On the other end of the spectrum, there's a growing trend with couples planning festival-themed weddings, leaning into the casual atmosphere, music, and bohemian spirit.
For those keen on the idea of an outdoor or garden-themed wedding but unsure of the weather, there are plenty of great marquee wedding venues. And there's always the option to go classic and timeless with a country house wedding venue.
![wedding hall with lots of flowers]()
Lainston House is perfect for classic and traditional wedding themes but offers a variety of spaces both indoors and outdoors, intimate and grand
‘If you are unsure of the theme then Pinterest may just become your best friend. This is a great way to get inspiration for ideas for your day. Remember your venue may have lots of previous examples of wedding themes that have been the perfect fit that they could share with you too!’ - Sophie Mitchell-Bird, Wedding Manager at Lainston House
Think about your perfect wedding food
Wedding food is important. Apart from lining your guests’ stomachs ahead of the festivities, your wedding breakfast will be the first meal you’ll share as a married couple. So it’s important to choose a wedding venue that can make this meal a special part of the big day. When thinking about how to choose a wedding venue, it's a good idea to look at food-related testimonials and ask about adjustments to menus if you have something specific in mind.
Not all venues will offer internal catering, and those that don’t may only permit external caterers from a select list of partners. So if you have a specific catering company in mind, be sure to ask this question early on. When drafting your guestlist, always note any known allergies, and confirm all dietary requirements while sending your RSVPs. This way, you pick a caterer able to deliver for all guests.
‘Seasonal menus offer the most weather-appropriate meals with the freshest produce available, and here at Royal Berkshire, our flexibility knows no bounds. We can cater for the majority of dietary requirements and allergies, and if you’re thinking fusion, no problem! If your culture is important to you, it’s important to us. Our chefs are more than happy to speak with you to see how we can bring some of your home, to ours.’ - Dominika Chylewska - Wedding Manager Royal Berkshire
If, like us, eating is your love language, check out the best wedding venues for foodies, or consider hosting your wedding reception in a restaurant.
![restaurant set up for wedding banquet]()
Humble Grape Fleet Street isn't just a restaurant wedding venue with brilliant food, it's also home to an extensive selection of wines
Ask about entertainment
There are no rules when it comes to deciding on entertainment, some couples may prefer the traditional route with dinner followed by dancing either with a DJ set, or a live band, but there are other unique ways to entertain wedding guests. We’re talking fire breathing, circus performances, dances, juggling, fireworks, and karaoke.
It’s important to get clear answers from potential venues early on. Does the wedding venue allow outdoor music, fireworks, and sparklers? Is there a cut-off time for loud noise? Will you need to source a dancefloor? How many band members can be accommodated in the space, and is there room for their sound and lighting equipment? If your wedding guests are known to party late, it’s also worth checking if you will incur late-finish fees if your celebrations finish later than expected.
![couple embrace as guests hold sparklers]()
Royal Berkshire has no sound limit and can offer packages designed around your evening reception
Look at what is included
Many venues provide packages that cover essentials like catering, tables, chairs, linens, and sometimes even entertainment. Knowing what’s included can simplify planning and reduce stress. Some venues may require you to rent certain wedding paraphernalia separately, so it’s important to ask about any additional costs that may arise and any amenities that might not be included. We’re talking bridal suites to get ready, cake knives, and easels for signage.
Similarly, it’s imperative to understand any policies or restrictions the venue might have, whether it’s a ban on external catering, limitations on certain types of decor, minimum bar spend requirements, or fees associated with the cleanup.
It’s a good idea to check if a wedding or events manager is part of the deal. A friendly face to iron out any organisational details can be a big reassurance on the day.
![Bride and groom kiss in front of large ivy-clad house]()
The Manor House, for example, offers guidance from a wedding specialist in the lead-up to the day, and an events manager on the day itself
Always trust your instincts
Now we’ve got the practicalities out of the way, this is the most important tip: ask yourself if the wedding venue feels right to you. You might find a venue that offers incredible deals or has showstopping features, but if it doesn’t get you excited for the day itself, it might not be the perfect match.
As we mentioned before, you’re more likely to get an accurate feel for the place at a showcase event or open day. But if you find yourself torn, there’s nothing stopping you from revisiting your top two options, getting in touch with the team to see pictures or videos from past weddings, or looking for more testimonials. At this point, it’s also a good idea to take another look at your wedding plan and assess whether your venue meets your initial expectations.
Now you’ve made some headway with the venue, you can finally start looking into your outfit for the big day. Whether you’re considering fashion-forward two-piece wedding dresses, or are keen to explore simple gowns for a minimalist look, we’ve got some exciting tips on finding the best outfits.