Wedding Planner in Cornwall - How to find the perfect venue.

It’s 2021, a new year and you're engaged!! Huge congratulations to you both. 

Finding the perfect wedding venue is likely to be at the top of any newly engaged couple’s list. With the venue playing a vital role in the success of your day, it’s a big decision you really need to get right. And there really is so much choice!

Just like viewing a new property, it is easy to become overexcited and fall in love with a place without checking the venue can cater to your requirements. The venue you pick will determine the number of guests you can invite, decor, suppliers, wedding date and has a big impact on your budget.

Here are my top 10 tips that will set you on the right path to finding a venue that suits you.

1. Stick to your budget - Yes, it’s true! Finding a gorgeous venue is possible, even on the smallest of budgets. Talk to your partner and decide on how much you’d like to spend on a venue. Viewing venues out of budget will never be an enjoyable experience.

Image by Steven Prebble Photography

2. Location, Location, Location - One of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to position your wedding. You’re likely to have family and friends across the country (or perhaps across the world!), so choosing a location will be key to making sure everyone can attend. Consider elderly relatives who may not be able to travel very far or walk up stairs, or cliffs! and it might be worth looking somewhere with great transport/airport connections if everyone is coming from far and wide. Guests with children will appreciate a safe environment which is buggy friendly. And if all your female guests are a lover of stilettos, just remember that many venues in Cornwall can be on uneven ground! 

3. Time of year. This is a really important one as the time of year can have huge impacts on many aspects of your wedding. Deciding what time of year you would like to get married and sticking to budget doesn’t always come easy. Getting married in the gorgeous sunshine can often come with a lot of cost. Venues will be higher in cost during peak seasons, as will some suppliers. If you want to get married outdoors, it is especially important to consider the season just as much as finding somewhere shelters and warm for an autumnal affair.

4. Is the Capacity right for you? Deciding if you want an intimate or lavish affair is a really important decision to make straight away. Take into consideration the size of your guest list and what you want to achieve on the day. Make sure your venue can accommodate for your large party of 300, or has the perfect intimate ceremony space for you and your 10 guests. 

5. What’s included and what’s not! When booking an ‘all inclusive’ or ‘dry hire’ venue, it’s important to understand in advance what’s included and what’s not; is it full service or are you going to have to source tables, chairs etc? Are there any restrictions in place? For example; how late can you party? Can you have music outside? What areas of the venue are included, how long is the hire period, are there parking spaces, are there toilets or do these need to be hired in for the day, is there power, is there any accommodation or land for camping, how will the venue be presented on the day… right down to who clears away the rubbish the following morning! Just remember DIY does not mean cheaper! 

6. Choose a venue that suits your personalities - Every couple is unique so try and find a venue that represents each of your styles and tastes. Do you want a modern, rustic, elegant or stylist do. Do you and your partner love the outdoors? Maybe there is a sport you both love. If you are beach babes then there a numerous beach locations for the more relaxed environment. Keep in mind that whatever venue you chose will be a representation of you.

7. Keep Control - Wedding venues that are overly pushy or even insistent on you using their preferred list of wedding suppliers is an instant disqualification. Majority of venue will want any couple to love them and make a decision based on their emotional connection, however there are many venues that want a sale, so make sure you ask as many questions of possible and take your time before booking. 

8. Make sure you get ‘the feeling’! Like most items we buy we get ‘That feeling’ it's right. You know when that feeling of butterflies appears in your stomach, and you can totally envisage yourself walking down the aisle in an unforgettable venue? That's the feeling’, and it normally means it’s the perfect venue for you! 

9. Visit more than once. Always go and see your top venue choices two or three times before you make a decision. And there’s no rush to sign on the dotted line. Visit during different seasons or on a sunny or rainy day as this will give you a good idea of what can be achieved. Visiting your venue will also give you the opportunity to get to know the team that work there. 

10. If in doubt… hire a wedding planner! - Wedding planners are super experienced with venues and we welcome and thoroughly embrace them all. You’ll be surprised just how much a planner can save you in terms of time, stress and effort; we have the knowledge, the contacts, the time and the know how to make sure that your wedding is everything you want it to be. We’ll guide you through every step and will be a total support to you, your friends and family on the day – you still get all the best bits of wedding planning without any of the worry!

Also featured in the Silverling’s Magazine

https://silverlinings.co.uk/wedding-guides/cornwall-wedding-guide-winter-2020/

Image by Jon O’ Connell Photography Carlyon Bay Hotel