Choosing the Wedding Venue

Where to get Married?

The choice of wedding venue has never been so great.... but which type of venue will you go for? Most couples have romanticised about what type of wedding they would like to have, and nearly every 'bride to be' will have fantasised about her big day.

The wedding venue decision may have already been pre-empted depending on religious beliefs, in which case it makes things a lot easier. However, for those couples who have not made a decision, here are a few factors to take into consideration before deciding.

If you have an idea of what time of year you’d like to get married this may help your decision on venue. For example, if you want guaranteed sunshine you’d probably opt for a wedding abroad. Also, the amount of guests you would like to invite could determine where you hold your service.

There are mainly four types of venue to consider when planning your wedding ceremony: church, hotel, register office or overseas.

Church Weddings

A church wedding is still considered to be the most traditional, but it can also be the most expensive. Normally the chosen church is in the parish of the bride’s parents, but if couples have been co-habiting in a different parish they can approach the church there. Discussions with the vicar will have to take place regarding the ceremony, and you will probably be required to attend at least three Sunday services when the wedding banns will be read out prior to your wedding day. Rehearsals are held near to the big day which can help put minds at rest too.

This type of wedding may seem to be one of the most straightforward, but there are still various options to be considered such as bell ringers, an organist, a choir and flowers. All these unfortunately come with a cost, as well as the cost for the use of the church. There are two versions of the service on offer, the traditional service or the shortened version which lasts around 45 minutes, and tends to be the most popular. This service consists of two hymns, a reading, the wedding vows and the signing of the marriage register.

Flowers could be a problem if you are planning on getting married during the religious term of Lent, as they are generally not allowed in church. However, some parishes do allow flowers, but they have to be taken out before the next Sunday service. This might seem like a hassle but it could work to your advantage, as if the florist is willing, they could remove the flowers from the church after the service whilst photos are being taken and they could be used at the reception, for example the pew end flowers could be used on the backs of chairs or even as table centres.

A church setting does provide a good backdrop for photographs before and after the service, and these tend to be taken quickly as there are no distractions such as a bar for guests!  > Church Weddings

Licensed Venues

Hotels or other licensed venues are another option for your wedding venue. These types of places are becoming more and more popular for prospective brides and grooms. They tend to be less formal than a church as the atmosphere is more relaxed. Most hotels that offer wedding packages have a wedding co-ordinator on site who helps you plan your big day such as the meal, the wedding cake, entertainment and guest rooms if required.

> Register Offices and Weddings Abroad