| If you're a bride and groom starting on your search for | | | | in-house cater can be a double-edged sword. On the |
| a wedding venue, your focus will undoubtedly be on | | | | one hand, it could prove to be the most-effective |
| finding somewhere that's beautiful, elegant and even | | | | solution to feeding your guests. But before you book, |
| magical. And why shouldn't it be? After all, this will be | | | | make sure you're happy with the food. In other words, |
| the happiest day of your life. | | | | ask to taste it first! If you choose to go elsewhere for |
| But while these are all very important, your decision | | | | the food, check that your venue doesn't have any |
| shouldn't be solely based on them. Being practical may | | | | restrictions in place on who you go with. |
| not sound romantic, but imagine planning a different | | | | Six – Think about photos A venue with luxurious |
| type of event – something not of a romantic nature | | | | grounds will lend itself particularly well to beautiful |
| – and pushing back budget, number of guests and | | | | photography. Look around at the scenery, as well as |
| facilities as secondary thoughts. It won't end in a | | | | the building itself, and you'll get a feel for how your |
| smoothly-run event. | | | | wedding memories will look in photographic form. |
| With that in mind, here are eight of the most important | | | | Seven – How many people are coming? |
| factors to consider before you book your wedding | | | | Not everyone wants a big wedding, so you may be |
| venue: | | | | better off finding somewhere more intimate than many |
| One - Is the décor to your taste? | | | | of the larger venues on offer. Likewise, if you do want |
| Does it fit what you had in mind for flowers and | | | | a large and lavish affair, make sure the venue has |
| wedding colours? There's nothing worse than | | | | room for everyone. Asking your Great Aunt if she |
| bridesmaids that blends in to the wallpaper or having to | | | | minds eating in an adjoining room won't go down well! |
| spend a fortune just to make the place look right. | | | | Eight – What's your budget? |
| Two – Consider the time of year | | | | They say every girl has imagined her wedding day |
| Some venues look better in the summer, while others | | | | many times – even before she's met her husband |
| are better suited to winter weddings. It may seem like | | | | to be – so expectations are usually very high for |
| a small consideration now, but on the big day you want | | | | the venue. It's important to be respectful of your |
| a venue that looks just how you imagined it. | | | | budget, but remember that few aspects of the big day |
| Three – Is the hotel to your liking? | | | | will be as important as the location. You may have to |
| Good news, ladies. A wedding isn't just for one day. In | | | | prioritise. |
| reality, your wedding lasts a few days, especially if | | | | |
| you're hoping to stay at the venue before the big day | | | | In the end, what makes the perfect wedding venue is |
| or on the night itself. If that's the case you'll want a | | | | completely subjective. But make sure it ticks all the |
| venue that not only meets your expectations for the | | | | boxes for what you need – even the practical |
| day, but also as a luxury hotel that befits the occasion. | | | | boxes – before booking up. |
| Four – Does the venue provide a wedding planner? | | | | If you're from the North West, or elsewhere and like |
| Many wedding venues are affiliated with or provide a | | | | the idea of getting married somewhere different, |
| wedding planning service. This means you can have | | | | Cheshire wedding venue Carden Park is one of the |
| someone help realise your wedding day dream from | | | | best hotels in the uk and offers a range of luxury |
| start to finish, rather than taking it all on your shoulders. | | | | wedding packages. |
| Five – Do they have in-house catering? Using an | | | | |