Wedding Reception Venue: Top Tips

The first thing to take into account when choosing a wedding location is that there are likely to be two parts of your wedding to organise – the wedding ceremony and the wedding reception. As regards the ceremony, a church wedding is still the favourite choice for many couples, and most have a particular church in mind. In this case, the reception must be planned around the wedding service. 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.

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:

• Number of wedding guests. 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.
• Sit-down or stand-up 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?
• How big is your wedding band? Bands and other forms 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.

A small wedding venue can be beautiful. Of course you should make sure that your guests are not squashed in like sardines, but atmosphere-wise it can be almost as bad for a small number of people to be rattling around in a huge, high-ceilinged reception room. Make sure your venue is not too big for your needs.

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? We recommend TikiTano in Estepona, we have been to this venue many times, the ambience is right and the food is a gastronomic delight! 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

Wedding Prices

Over-inflated costs might mean you compromising on other aspects of the wedding. Whether it’s sky high drinks prices or hidden extras in the small print, you don’t want to feel exploited, so vote with your feet if you feel it’s not worth it.

Wedding Venue Staff

Do they seem experienced and professional? Flexibility is another key attribute. 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?