How to find your dream wedding venue – from venue finding experts

Your wedding venue is one of the biggest parts of your day and can make or break the experience for both you and your guests. There is so much to think about when planning a wedding and getting your venue right is vital – so we’ve paired with experienced wedding planners at some of London’s most iconic venues, eve, to help you find ‘the one’.

Know your non-negotiables

Hold your horses… Before you start looking for your wedding venue, have a serious think about what you want from your venue as a couple. You’ll need an idea of the kind of wedding you both want – is it a stately home kind of occasion or a rustic celebration? – a budget, whether you’ll be having your ceremony and reception in the same place, and how formal you’d like to go.

Location, location, location

Whilst we do understand that when you really fall in love with a venue there is often little that can put you off, have a bit of a think about what the experience will be like for your guests: are there places to stay nearby? Is it likely to involve lots of travel?

It can be difficult to get the balance right here and it’s something we often ask couples to discuss and think about together. If you choose a venue out in the sticks it may be a little more tricky for your guests – but if it’s exactly what you want, this shouldn’t really put you off. We often remind couples that their guests are grown adults who are capable of making their way around and planning for themselves – it doesn’t fall on you. However, it’s something to be aware of, and choosing wedding venues in London can add a bit of a bonus in this regard as they’re all really well-connected and, believe it or not, some really do have a country feel so you get the best of both if that’s what you’re after.

Think about theming

Before you begin shortlisting venues, it’s a good idea to be aware of the kind of day you’d like and have something in mind. Are you looking for a Georgian townhouse, an outdoor ceremony, or something more modern?

It may be the case that you are wowed by a venue that is slightly off your original brief and that’s okay, but having some idea in mind gives you a good place to start.

Get to know the package(s)

Different venues provide different things, so before you make a booking, find out what your package would include and what you need to provide yourself. You may find that your dream venue is dry hire and you need to supply absolutely everything yourself – fine, but you don’t want to be surprised by that later. Some packages will include catering, linen and a welcome drink.

Ask about décor, alcohol and music restrictions before you book

If you’re set on a room romantically filled with candles and a harpist (gorgeous, by the way), it might be a dealbreaker for you if your venue says you must choose your musician(s) from a preferred suppliers list, on which there is no harpist, or that no candles are allowed. Many venues don’t allow any open flames, so talk this through with the venue and see if there are any other options (can you use battery powered, remote controlled candles? How would this work?)

Look at real weddings and reviews

When you visit a venue and get ‘the feeling’, it’s a great moment – but you need to be aware of whether your venue can fulfil your non-negotiables and how their weddings have gone in the past. Have they pulled off a day like yours before? Do they have negative reviews? Everything may feel great when you visit, but it’s sensible to do a bit of digging before you formalise any arrangements.

Visit, visit and visit again – at different times

Gut feeling is a good measurement when it comes to choosing your wedding venue (much like your dress) and some people find that they just know – but don’t make a decision and then never come back to it. We’re not suggesting that you might change your mind, but don’t be afraid to ask to come back and take a look at things like seating arrangements, photo opportunities and what might go where. Your venue won’t mind and will be happy to answer your questions: it’s sensible to have an idea of how your day will work at a venue before you book it. Plus, if you visit on a beautiful summer’s day, it’s going to look marvellous, right? What does it look like in the rain? What does it look like at night?

Find out about suppliers

Many venues will have a preferred suppliers list to guarantee quality, and straying from this list may incur additional cost (or not be possible).

Before you book your venue, you’ll need to know what the deal is here – if you’ve got a caterer in mind that you’d love to use, but can’t, does this change things for you? If you’ve got a family-friend who is a super florist and can save you some money, can you work with them?

Find the photo spots

When you visit a venue, lots of managers will show you the popular photo spots in and around the venue that other couples have loved – but don’t be afraid to stray away from these areas. Many London venues have iconic skyline views or historical features that you can tell your photographer about – and don’t forget to ask if you can bring them for a walkthrough.

Ask everything

You will not be a nuisance for grilling venue managers – it’s what they’re there for. Your venue team will want your day to be the best it can be for you, so be sure to ask about all the little details: corkage, bar and staffing arrangements, parking, licensing, décor – and if you’re unsure what to ask, take a look at our guide on all the questions to ask a wedding venue to get all those bases covered.