Choosing A Wedding Venue

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important wedding planning decisions you'll make. 

Reception & ceremony
There are likely to be two parts of your wedding to organise – the wedding ceremony and the wedding reception.  A church wedding is still one of the favourite choices for many couples, and most have a particular church in mind. In this case, the reception must be planned around the ceremony location. Factors such as ease of transport from service to reception will be important when planning your church wedding.

If, on the other hand, you're thinking about a civil wedding, you have the option of choosing a venue that will host both your wedding ceremony and your wedding reception. If this is what you are hoping for, you will need to choose a venue that is licensed for marriage ceremonies. This may come with a higher price tag than non-licensed wedding venues, but has the benefit of minimising the amount of travelling involved for you and your wedding guests.

How many guests?
The type of wedding you have will depend partly on how big it will be, so here are some things to think about before approaching wedding venues:

Venue capacity: It may sound obvious but many venues will not be able to magic up extra space from nowhere if you add 20 extra guests at the last minute. You should have a good idea of numbers before you start looking at venues.

Seated or standing wedding reception? A formal meal will obviously require more space than a stand-up buffet, so a venue whose seated capacity is 100 might well be able to accommodate 200 for a canapé reception. Which do you want?

Entertainment facilities: Bands and other entertainment can take up a large amount of space, as can a dance floor, so decide when and where you want the entertainment to take place, and check with the venue that this can be done in the space available.

Which wedding venue?

Any number of buildings can make a perfect wedding reception venue, but here are some of the most popular options:

Historic wedding reception venue.Castles, country houses and stately homes are among the locations many dream of for their big day. If your budget can stretch to it, this offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the use of a stunning building.

Hotel wedding reception. There are so many different types of hotel that there’s likely to be something for everyone, from traditional to ultra-modern. Having accommodation on the spot is, of course, a big plus.

Marquee wedding reception. If you have access to spacious gardens or other outdoor space, a marquee could be worth considering. Many people are surprised at how pricey it can be to hire a marquee for their wedding, but the plus side is that you can take control of wedding catering and could save a considerable amount by providing your own alcohol.

Sports or social club wedding reception. Different types of club premises can be perfect for a wedding reception. Do plenty of research and you could find one that’s in a stunning location, too. For example, some sailing or rowing clubs have picturesque waterside views, and can often be hired at a reasonable price, certainly compared to other popular wedding venues.

Restaurant or pub wedding reception. Food and drink are among the main ingredients for a successful wedding reception, so where better to head than to a lovely restaurant or pub? Bear in mind that you’re more likely to find a good match if your wedding party is smaller, and if you’re lucky you might even be able to escape the heavy costs that are often quoted as soon as you mention the ‘w’ word!

Wedding venue checklist

Before signing on the dotted line, check the detail and small print.

Wedding fees. Exaggerated costs, such as a hefty corkage fee or drinks prices, might mean compromising on other aspects of the wedding. Vote with your feet if you feel it’s not worth it.

Wedding venue staff. Are the staff experienced and professional? Flexibility is also important. Are they willing to adapt to your needs? This will be a major factor in how smoothly your day runs.

Wedding venue facilities. Is the venue suitable for guests with a disability, and can it provide appropriate seating for the elderly and/or young children?

Wedding guest accommodation. Is there a reasonable range of accommodation within easy access of the venue?

Wedding transport. Is there enough parking for guests who drive, and decent transport links for those who don’t?

Wedding venue restrictions. Does the venue impose limitations that could negatively affect your plans? Some stipulate no loud music after a certain time, others don’t like confetti or candles, and certain (usually historic) venues forbid high-heeled shoes for fear of their flooring being damaged.

Wedding photography. Plenty of natural light in your venue will mean better pictures. You might also want to check that there are plenty of appealing outdoor spots close at hand. For advice on choosing a photographer who will make the most of your wedding venue.

Wedding decoration. Are table linen, flowers, place cards and other decorations included in the quoted price, or will you have to provide your own?

Wedding extras. Check the availability of extras such as a cake stand and cake knife. Many wedding venues will lend you these, but having to hire them separately adds to your hassle and your wedding expenses. 


For more helpful Wedding Advice please visit www.kliqweddings.co.uk 

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Article first appeared at: http://www.weddingpath.co.uk/wedding-venue

Wedding Venue Guide

We now have a guide to the most sought after Wedding Venues in Essex. Visit the Kliq Weddings website to look at pictures and read information about the Venues to help you choose one that is right for you! Go to www.kliqweddings.co.uk to find out more!

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

More Weddings booked!

Kliq Weddings have booked another two Weddings for June next year! Looks like we are going to be busy in June and August this coming year. However we still have availability so please contact us to see if we can help capture your Wedding day with modern and contemporary Wedding Photography and Wedding Videos.

www.kliqweddings.co.uk

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Another busy weekend for Kliq Weddings! More enquiries and more bookings!
http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Gary and Louise Hobbs' first dance. Taken by one of our photographers Ricky Hobbs.

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Congratulations to two of our New Couples!

Kliq Weddings would like to say congratulations to Kirsty and Adam on their forthcoming Wedding Day on Sat 16th June 2012 at Mangapp Manor. We are really looking forward to Filming and Photographing your Wedding!

Also a big congratulations to our Competition winner Lucy Upson and her partner Matthew Horsfall for their wedding on 13th June 2012 at The Reid Rooms.

Everyone from Kliq wishes these two couples a life time of  happiness together.

http://www.kliqweddings.co.uk/

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!

Wedding Photography Advice!

How to choose a Wedding Photographer

You've got the dress, booked your dream location and the flowers are on order. Now you need to find a wedding photographer. Given some of the high costs some professionals charge for capturing the precious memories of the biggest day of your life, you want to be sure that you've found the right style, price and package. After all, your wedding is one day, but the photos will last a lifetime.

1. Do Your Research

There are loads of amazing wedding photographers out there, it's just a matter of finding the right one for you. Wedding fairs will give you the opportunity to meet different photographers and get a feel for their style of photography, as well as a sense of their prices. Visit the photographers websites and look at their samples.

2. Stay Traditional or Go Modern?

Try and find a photographer with a style that suits you - you will want to feel happy with the pictures for many years to come. Do you like the old fashioned soft lighting effects or do you prefer the more modern punchy style? Do you like Reportage – relaxed style or a more set up traditional shots? Or maybe you like a mixture of both? Ask to see examples of the styles of photography the photographers you meet specialise in and make your choices!

3. Meet the Photographer

It's important to meet your photographer in advance; not only to give you the opportunity to talk through your requirements but also to give you time to feel comfortable with the photographer. If possible, we recommend your first meeting to be up to six months before the wedding.

4. Images

Images should be sharp and well-exposed. If your photographer is using a digital camera, make sure they can provide high-resolution images in case you want to print copies of your photographs.

5. Budget

After finding your photographer for the day, it's time to talk cold, hard cash. The last thing you want is for extra costs to show up on the bill. Most wedding photographers offer a variety of wedding packages, depending on how many images you would like and how long they will be at the wedding.

6. Shot List

It's a good idea to provide the photographer with a list of shots you require so you both know what's expected from the day. A good photographer will suggest some options but they should also be able to create a bespoke package for your needs. A list will help the photographer but will also speed up the time it takes for the formal photographs, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your day.

7. How Should the Images Be Supplied?

Many couples prefer their photographs to be supplied on disk rather than in wedding albums. Perhaps you could host the images on your own website so friends and family can access them easily? Maybe you'd like a combination of both prints and digital images? Ask the photographer which online options they offer. Remember to ask whether you will retain copyright of the images, and make sure the images won't have a watermark so you can print off your own images. If you do want a traditional photo album, ask to see some examples so you can approve the print finish. Check the delivery times too - you don't want them sitting in the post office while you are on your honeymoon!

8. Picture Perfect

Some photographers offer a pre-wedding shoot, normally a few weeks before ceremony. If you feel camera-shy, a pre-wedding shoot may help you feel more comfortable and will give you an opportunity to practice your poses.

http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk – Leading Essex/UK Wedding Photographer

http://www.vintagethemewedding.co.uk/ - Everything you need to organise and plan your Vintage or Theme Wedding!