Collaborative Post
Although it has been several years since I worked as a wedding coordinator in Bournemouth, the local wedding industry still fascinates me and it is something I never tire writing about. Today I thought I would share with you my top tips when searching for wedding venues in Bournemouth. Whether you have just got engaged, or you are knee deep in wedding plans already, choosing the venue for your wedding is one of the key elements of planning, and something that will have an impact on the rest of your choices around your big day.
Location, Location, Location
Take into account where you want to be for your wedding day. Are you looking for a city centre location, with great transport links for you guests, or would you rather have a sea view for the photos? Would you prefer to be somewhere remote, or in the centre of the action. Making these decisions in advance can save you time and effort when it comes to visiting a wedding venue in person.
Capacity
If you want a big wedding, and your dream venue only seats 30 for the wedding breakfast, you need to look elsewhere or change your numbers. Go into things with a firm idea of how many people you are looking to invite, so as to avoid disappointment when the contract comes though with limitations on guest numbers. Always ask the question of seating arrangements when looking at capacity, as a room being able to fit 100 people for a ceremony, is very different to a room being able to fit that number around banqueting tables with a dance floor and anything else you are looking to have on the day e.g. a photo booth.
Decor
A traditional hotel from the 60’s might seem like a good idea, until you take into account your plans for a plain white wedding, with minimal decor. Have an idea of the theme and colour scheme of your wedding before visiting a wedding venue and be realistic about what you can and can’t change before making any decisions.
Restrictions
No, not just covid restrictions, although that is now something else to factor in to your venue questions, but it is important to find out whether a venue allows you to bring your own alcohol or have firework displays in the grounds, if this is something you have your heart set on. It is also worth finding out what general restrictions around the venue might have an impact on your wedding, for example, if they are not allowed to have the bar open or play music past a certain time.
Practical Elements
It might not be the top thing on your mind, after all, you probably won’t be parking on the day of the wedding, but it could impact your guests and their ability to get to and from the wedding if your venue has no parking on site. It is also important to consider dietary requirements, and how well a venue can deal with them, accessibility of the venue, and whether it has accommodation available for guests who are coming from further afield or who just fancy staying the night.
Having an idea of what you are looking for from a wedding venue in advance will help you to narrow down your choices. Taking into account factors such as location and capacity, as well as potential minefields such as venue restrictions, will save heartache further down the line once you have your heart set on somewhere that simply wouldn’t work for you and your guests.
This is a collaborative post, however all words are my own.
