Our very own @mummasparks Verity talks about the things she needed to consider when the time came to choose the perfect wedding venue and shares her top tips for making sure you find somewhere magical and unique for your special day!

Back when I was studying for my degree, I needed to find a location suitable for taking photographs of my projects. Following some research and local recommendations, I was amazed to find the perfect setting right on my doorstep. Maunsel House in Somerset is, as the website describes, 'a magnificent 13th Century Manor set in 100 acres of stunning parkland at the heart of a sprawling 2,000-acre estate, comprising of farms, lakes, woodlands, walnut groves, orchards.' When I originally got in touch with them to see if I could take some photos, I was struck by just how wonderfully friendly and accommodating they were and when I arrived to photograph my work I was in awe of just how beautiful a location it was. That day, with free reign given to me to explore the entire house and grounds as I took my pictures, I already knew that this would be the place I would eventually get married.

Fast-forward a few years and Lex and I had become engaged. Naturally, Maunsel House was my first call and we booked immediately. Now that I had a wedding to plan, I began to see just how many ways in which this amazing venue would be a great pick for us. We wanted something that felt like home, albeit on a much grander scale and with its quirky-yet-traditional decor it was something completely different and that was perfect for us. The team at Maunsel House were simply wonderful and just as they had been a few years before, were ever so happy for us to inject as many of our own ideas into the day as possible. This meant we felt we were able to plan a day that was unique, instead of purchasing a 'package'. Finally, as someone who has always loved nature and animals deeply, the opportunity to get married in a setting filled with so much wildlife was the absolute icing on the (wedding!) cake!

But what if I hadn't found this amazing venue by accident? What if I had to research and choose the perfect wedding venue from scratch? What things would I need to consider, to help me eventually end up choosing this venue anyway? Here are my top tips:

How to choose the perfect wedding venue for a magical wedding day

Make it 'YOU'

Your venue should absolutely reflect your personalities. Whether that means somewhere clean and modern, traditional, quirky or even completely themed, then you should enjoy planning a wedding that fits perfectly into the people you both are and the journey you making together. Remember, it's YOUR special day, you don't need to be a people pleaser, simply celebrate who you are.

Narrow down a few dates

If you've managed to at least choose a few dates before making your enquiries with potential venues this is a good way to prepare. Have look through the calendar together, making note of dates that work well for both of you and your close family. Bear in mind any conflicts like work schedules, holidays and other big events coming up. A weekday wedding may well be more budget-friendly so don't rule them out if you need to stick to a spending limit. By choosing a date range rather than a specific single date, you can find a venue that works with your style, budget, and schedule, without making too many additional compromises.

Make your initial enquiries with a few simple questions

Once you've found a few potential venues, reach out them by phone or email to find out a few of the important bits. Things like availability, guest capacity and whether they have a wedding planner service included is a good place to start. This also provides you with the chance to scope out how friendly and helpful the staff are which if they are, bodes well for working with them as you plan your wedding together.

Make a shortlist and visit your favourites

Once you've got the list down to 2 or 3, make appointments to see each of your potential venues. What looks one way in photos on a website can look completely different in person so make sure to be thinking about space and how many guests you want to invite, as well as exploring the corners of the venue that didn't make it into the gallery on their website! Also, visit more than once if you can. There’s no rush to sign on the dotted line…take your time as your venue will affect every other choice you make in regards to your upcoming wedding.

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It's all about the location

With invitations being one of the very next things on your to-do list, making sure that the location is accessible for all is important. As well as ensuring there are great transport links to the venue, it may necessary to consider if any of your guests require special assistance with things like stairs or bathrooms.

Make sure there's space for everything

Will the space be right? If you have a large party of guests you'll need to be sure there's room for everyone and if you're looking for a small venue you'll want to find something cosy enough, that has the right kind of intimate atmosphere. If there are plenty of children coming, will there be space for them to run and play?

Consider the lighting and backdrop

The lasting memories you will take away from your big day will, of course, be captured in the video and photographs taken on the day. There's no point in having a beautiful venue if the lighting is too dark for anyone to see and if it's not quite right, speak to the wedding planner to see if any temporary lighting can be added to enhance what is already there.

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I hope my tips have been helpful for you to choose the perfect wedding venue and hope you’re feeling inspired by this blog. If you are, I’d love you to consider sharing it or saving it to Pinterest using the image below. Thank you!

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