A question as old as time - how to find the right wedding venue - is often thrown about at the beginning of the planning journey. Which is very understandable. Your wedding day is the ultimate celebration of love, so finding the right wedding venue sets the stage for an unforgettable day. From enchanting glasshouses to luxurious country houses and rustic barns, the possibilities are endless. But fear not, dear readers. We have curated a guide to help you discover the venue of your dreams. Get ready to embark on a journey that will lead you to your I Dos in the most magical setting imaginable. Let's rock your wedding venue hunt! See what I did there? Anyways, shall we?

How To Find The Right Wedding Venue For You - 9 Things To Consider 

1. What's the vision?

First things first. You have to reflect on your wedding vision as a whole. Before diving into the vast sea of wedding venues, we encourage you to take a moment and envision your perfect day. Considering your preferred style, theme, and atmosphere is the first step to finding your dream venue. Whether it's an intimate ceremony by the beach or a grand celebration in a historic castle, it's possible that your theme/stylistic choices will look better in certain venues. That's why you have to reflect - to try and figure out what aesthetic will go with what. This reflection will serve as your compass throughout your venue search. 

2. Budget time

Just like how weddings come in all shapes and sizes, so do wedding venues and their fees. Knowing your wedding budget is not only going to come in handy with venues, but with the entirety of your wedding planning journey. We recommend that you determine your wedding budget early on. Sit down with your partner and have a frank discussion about your financial situation and how much you're willing to spend on certain areas. Then, allocate a reasonable portion of that to the venue. Remember to account for additional expenses like decor, entertainment, and catering. By setting financial boundaries, you'll save yourself from falling in love with a venue that is out of your budget. 

3. Find inspiration - how to find the right wedding venue

Now, we try not to toot our own horns too much at Rock My Wedding. But when a horn needs tooting, it needs tooting. And when it comes to finding inspiration for your wedding and ideal aesthetic, we're a pretty great place to start. Toot toot. Our real weddings, our planning articles, our Recommended venues and suppliers, our Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok - all of these platforms are excellent starting points. Like photos, print them out, share them with your friends... However you prefer to get inspired - go for it. 

4. The nitty-gritty; venue capacity and guest list

Once you've got your inspiration, you know what theme you're going for and you know what kind of venues you'll be looking at, let's get logistical. No, not a spin-off of Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" - rather, you need to think about your guest list and venue capacities. Compile a rough guest list so you can ascertain a ballpark figure. Keep in mind that your chosen venue should comfortably accommodate your loved ones. Certain wedding venues are generally better for certain guest numbers. A cosy chapel may be ideal for an intimate gathering, while a manor house is better suited for larger affairs. 

5. Location

In the words of Khalid, "Send me, your location - let's focus on communicating". Lyrically speaking, Khalid couldn't have been more spot on here - because you will in fact have to send your wedding venue location to your guests. It's like he knew! Consider the logistics of your wedding day, and how convenient it will be for your guests. Will you say your I Dos closer to home, or opt for a destination wedding? Remember that travel, accessibility, and accommodation are all very important factors. The venue's location should enhance the overall experience for everyone involved, of course - but it's your wedding, at the end of the day. If you do opt for something further, like a destination wedding, just let your guests know far in advance. 

6. Visit that venue! - How to find the right wedding venue

The V in venue stands for visit. Well, not really, but it is an important factor in your wedding venue search. Visit that venue, baby! As you narrow down your options, schedule visits to your favourite wedding venues. Walking through the venue will bring your vision to life, and help you visualise your wedding day unfolding. Visits are super important, and it means you'll have a chance to ask them as many questions as possible. Pay attention to the layout, available amenities, and whether there's room to dress it up or down how you like. Most importantly - how do you feel walking around? Do you get that "this is the one" feeling? If the answer to the former is "incredible", and to the latter "absolutely 100% yes", then that's a pretty good sign. 

7. Good Vibes Only

It's fairly evident, but every venue has its own unique vibe and personality. Each venue will align with different people, due to differing interests. So it's important to, and I say this scientifically, catch the right vibe. Consider the ambiance, architecture, and overall vibe. Do you crave a sense of rustic charm, contemporary elegance, or opulent, timeless grandeur? Your venue should resonate with your own personal taste, and it should capture and reflect the essence of your beautiful relationship. 

8. Think about packages

One of the beautiful things about wedding venues is the different things they offer. Some venues will offer some pretty brilliant wedding packages, providing various suppliers or offers. If you're trying to find ways to save money for your wedding, then looking for venues with comprehensive packages is a good place to start. Assess what each package offers and whether it aligns with your needs. Be sure to clarify any hidden costs with the venue themselves, as well as contractual obligations, before sealing the deal.

9. 'Tis the season!

Finally, we've got the splendour of seasons. Some people want a summer wedding outdoors, and some prefer a snowy, winter wedding with candles and hot chocolate. Whatever your preference, you have to envision your venue in that season. Also - keep weather conditions in mind. If you're reading this from England, you and I both know how unpredictable the weather can be. A lot of venues offer wet weather alternatives/options - so keep a lookout. Regardless of what Mother Nature has in store, you're going to have a gorgeous wedding. 

From wedding budgets to venue visits, hopefully you now have a better idea of how to find the right wedding venue 

Your wedding venue sets the stage for an incredible celebration of your love. That's why we've got a wealth of information on venues - because they're pretty important! By following these tips, you'll embark on a venue hunt that leads to the perfect spot for your special day. Remember - your venue should be an extension of your love story. So, now that you no longer have to ask the question "how do I find the right wedding venue?", you can go on to a couple of different questions. For example; "how far in advance should I book my wedding venue?", and "what are the different types of wedding venues I can book?".