Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and the venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for the big day.

Wedding venues can be a bit like wedding dresses: when you know, you’ll know. But just as it’s important to think of the practicalities when choosing between silk and lace, there are certainly things to look for when you’re choosing your venue? We’ve highlighted some of our best tips below.

Tip 1: Think about your guests
The first thing on your wedding checklist, before the cake maker and the perfect bouquet, should be a list of guests. Start with your non-negotiables, the people that must be there (family, close friends, etc.), and work outwards. The venue should be large enough to accommodate your guests, but not so large that they will be lost in the rooms. Give yourself a bit more room than you think you’ll need in case there are any last-minute additions.

Tip 2: Consider the ‘feel’ of the wedding
Do you want your wedding to have a glamorous, big-city feeling, or something sweet and simple in the country? The venue plays a huge role in creating the mood of your wedding, so keep this in mind when choosing your venue. You should also consider whether you’d like to have the ceremony indoors or outdoors. Making these decisions will help you narrow down which venues to visit.

Tip 3: Vet the event staff
The event staff will be critical in making sure that everything goes off without a hitch, so it’s very important that you get along with them and that they are good listeners. While you’re looking at the venue, notice the way they talk about former events. Is the language about ‘what they do here’ or ‘how they helped a couple create their dream’? The former shows that the venue might not be very flexible, while the latter suggests that the event staff is committed to making the dreams of their clients come true.

Tip 4: Ask about what the venue offers
Some venues are full-service; taking care of flowers, transportation and catering. These venues are ideal for a busy couple who want everything taken care of. Ask about what the venue offers when you visit, and if you are obliged to use their suppliers or can pick your own. Some brides like a completely bespoke experience, while others want to be able to enjoy the day completely hassle-free.

Are you planning a wedding? BOSC has event spaces that can be hired for weddings (and wedding events) of all sizes. Get in touch with one of our experienced event professionals today.