From stately homes to historic inns, boutique hotels, and even a zoo! You’ll have your pick of wedding venues in Bedfordshire to exchange your vows in. But how do you choose which one?
There are so many aspects of a wedding that need to be considered. From what to wear, to what kind of catering to have, décor, bridesmaids... The list goes on. But one of the most important aspects of wedding planning, is choosing which of the wedding venues in Bedfordshire you want to host the wedding.
As soon as the wedding date or month is finalised, you should be seeking out the various wedding venues in Bedfordshire for availability, as far ahead of time as possible. But deciding which location is the ‘right’ venue can be a process that takes days on end, and it can become overwhelming for newly engaged couples.
In order to help you both decide on which of the wedding venues in Bedfordshire is right for you, we have put together an easy to follow guide.
How Many Guests Will You Have?
This is a pivotal decision (and sometimes a painful one…), but knowing your guest list numbers will greatly impact the size of your venue. If you’re thinking of inviting more than 200 people to your wedding, then your filter for venues in Bedfordshire changes quite dramatically. In this case, you’ll probably need to book a special event space like Wrest Park House for example, or Shuttleworth, both which have a capacity of up to 1000.
If you’re thinking of hosting a more intimate affair, like a micro-wedding for example (50 guests or less), then obviously your choices change again. And in this case, you have the freedom to tie the knot not just in a private venue, but also in a restaurant, pub or anywhere you fancy! Like the atmospheric Wardown House wedding venue in Luton, or The White Hart in Flitwick.
Choose a Venue that Fits with Your Theme
It’s useful to determine your wedding theme early on, as the venues in Bedfordshire you consider should reflect it. Otherwise, you’ll have a battle on your hands trying to twist the space to match your theme.
Decide if you Want Your Ceremony and Reception to be in the same place.
While it's certainly convenient to host your ceremony and reception in the same venue, some couples prefer to host the two events in different places. Often, this is done so the couple can host their ceremony in a religious setting, but couples may also choose to host their ceremony outdoors, in a registry office, or anywhere they can legally do it. Which is then followed by a celebration at a wedding reception venue.
Basically it's important to decide whether you'll want a single ceremony and reception venue, or separate locations for each event.
Consider Your Budget First
It can be easy to get carried away when visiting wedding venues in Bedfordshire, and start saying yes to everything you see. But if you don’t keep track of the extras you are offered, you’ll soon lose sight of your budget, and have to forgo something that you really wanted further down the line.
Before you commit to any one wedding venue, consider whether there is somewhere else in Bedfordshire, or further afield maybe that aligns better with your budget. Or that doesn't have any 'hidden charges'. For instance, a hotel may charge for things you've never even considered, like a corkage fee.
If your budget won’t stretch to a particular venue, don’t force it. Opt for a flexible wedding venue that will give you control over catering and decoration.
Weigh the pros and cons.
If you fall in love with a particular venue very quickly, it can be a pretty special feeling. However, don’t feel the pressure to sign on the dotted line during your initial tour. It’s important instead to take a step back, tour a few places, and discuss your options with your partner.
Think about the pros and cons of all of the wedding venues you visited in Bedfordshire, and work together to find a final decision on your top choice. You may think that you’ve found the perfect wedding venue for your special day, but perhaps your partner is not so sure. While you and your partner might not agree on every aspect of your wedding day, you should both be happy with your choice of venue. If that means visiting a few more venues, so be it.