How to decide if a wedding venue is right for you
Just engaged? Huge congratulations from all of us at The Hall Barns! We hope you’ve enjoyed all the parties, drank all the champagne and spent a decent amount of time gazing adoringly at your engagement ring/significant other. Now it’s time to get down to the business of planning the most epic wedding ever – which is something we happen to be very good at. We’ve hosted hundreds of unique weddings at our Leicestershire barn venue, and we know how much of a big decision choosing the right venue is. It really does shape your wedding day, but with sooooo many venues to choose from, how do you decide if it’s the right one for you? These are the most important factors to consider during your dream wedding venue hunt…
How much does it cost?
Making sure a venue is affordable is a biggie. Before you start any kind of wedding planning, including the venue search, it’s crucial to have an overall budget in mind. Having a venue which takes up most of your budget doesn’t need to be a dealbreaker – you can always compromise on other parts of your wedding if the venue is the most important factor. But looking around venues which are way out of your budget will only leave you feeling disappointed. Look for venues that are transparent about their pricing and always take into consideration any ‘hidden extras’ which can bump the price up. We like to make it as easy as possible for our couples to work out whether The Hall Barns is affordable for them. Check out our packages here, or use our quote builder for a bespoke price.
Location, location, location
Most couples tend to look for a venue close to where they live, or where they grew up, but as you’re likely to have guests travelling from all over, it’s completely your call. Whatever location you choose, it helps to have a wedding venue with plenty of parking, in a convenient location which is easy to get to by car or public transport. As well as the logistics of the venue location, consider whether you want a city setting or something more rural (like The Hall Barns) for your big day. Our cool barn venue feels a million miles from everything, but we’re only a short drive or taxi ride from Loughborough train station.
Is there accommodation available?
Do you need a venue with on-site accommodation for you and your guests? Be mindful of friends and family who have travelled a long way to celebrate with you – look for venues which have plenty of accommodation options nearby (and at a mix of price points too). We have a super-cute self-catering country cottage (which sleeps eight) less than a minute’s walk from The Hall Barns venue, as well as the cosy Lodge, which can sleep up to six guests. For a true festival feel, we also have an awesome glampsite featuring a newlywed suite and 10 guest glamping pods available to book the night of your wedding.
What is the capacity?
Capacity is a crucial consideration. You need a wedding venue that can fit all your guests in, so have a think about numbers before you start looking around. While you don’t need a final guest list drawn up before you book a venue viewing, it’s helpful to have a vague number to work with. Make a list of your must-haves, like close friends and family, and look for venues who can accommodate at least this number of guests. Most venues offer a larger capacity for the evening reception; at The Hall Barns we can accommodate up to 70 for ceremonies and formal feasts, up to 100 for more relaxed dining and up to 150 for evening receptions.
Does it have the facilities you need?
What are your venue non-negotiables? Perhaps it’s exclusive use, a dedicated events team or being wheelchair accessible; whatever your venue must-haves, it’s helpful to make a note of these as you start the wedding venue search. Think about what is most important to you as a couple, what will make the day amazing for your guests and what you can’t envisage your big day without.
Are the ceremony options right?
Think about your ceremony wants and needs. Do you want a venue where you can have everything in one place? If so, look for venues licensed for weddings so you can legally get married on-site. Remember, if a venue isn’t licenced you’ll need to do the legal bit elsewhere (most couples opt to do this beforehand). If you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding ceremony, check to see if your venue offers this option. Or, if it’s a religious wedding you’re after, you’ll want a venue that isn’t too far from a local church/place of worship. We have all bases covered here – The Crew Yard is our licenced ceremony space (the coolest setting for your ‘I do’s), we have loads of gorgeous outdoor space for a celebrant-led service, and St Andrew’s Church is less than a five-minute walk away.
Do you like the food choices?
If food is important to you (we hear ya) you’re going to want to look for a venue that can deliver the kind of wedding menu of your dreams. Check out reviews from past couples (Google reviews or third-party sites like Hitched are great for this) and scour the real wedding blogs for your venue to get a feel for the foodie offerings. Consider whether you want a traditional three-course sit-down meal, or if you’re after something a bit more informal and relaxed, like sharing feasts, BBQs or street food. Some venues – us included – will be up for working with you to create a bespoke menu for your big day.
Is the venue flexible?
Some venues provide ready-to-go packages for couples, with little leeway when it comes to personalisation, whereas others will adopt a more flexible approach to planning. At The Hall Barns we know every couple is different, and their big day needs and wants aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. We want you to have the most ‘you’ day ever, in fact we heartily encourage it. From DIY décor and ice cream vans to pop-up alpaca petting zoos and festival-inspired parties, we’ve seen it all and will always work with you to create a properly bespoke wedding day.
Does it have your date free?
If you’ve got your heart set on a specific date or want to get married in a shorter than usual timeframe, the right venue is going to be one that can accommodate you. If you can, it pays to be as flexible as possible with your dates – or book as early as you can – as many weekends throughout peak wedding season get snapped up way in advance.
Is the vibe right?
Ultimately, the way to decide if a wedding venue is right for you will come down to the vibe. Lots of our couples tell us about the “this is the one” feeling they got when they looked around The Hall Barns. It’s that fizzing, can’t-quite-put-your-finger-on-it feeling where you know you’ve found the perfect venue.
Come and look around The Hall Barns
Calling all our newly engaged Midlands couples! We’d love the chance to show you around our unique Leicestershire barn venue. With a rustic-luxe style, inclusive vibe and cool festival wedding feel, The Hall Barns is a pretty special place. And the best way for you to experience the magic properly is by looking around in person. Click here to book a viewing or to ask our team a question. We can’t wait to meet you!