Choosing the right wedding venue for your big day

You may have had your wedding planned out since you were a child. The dress... the venue... the husband, even.

Or you could be going into it open to suggestions with a completely blank canvas.

If the second option sounds a little more like you, and the wedding venue is still undecided upon, here are some factors for you to consider when making that decision.

A Tale of Two Halves

It is important not to forget that there will be two parts to your wedding, the ceremony and the reception. If a church is the venue of choice, then you'll still need to find somewhere different to host the reception, unless your vicar is a liberal type. Otherwise, you need to think not only of somewhere you'd be happy, but also a place that is easy enough to get to, with plenty of parking for your guests. If you're going down the registry office route, then there are often rooms to undertake both parts in the same building.

Size

This goes without saying, but if a handful of guests are coming to your bash, plonking them in a great big hall will make the place seem empty and you could look unpopular. On the other hand, cramming half a small city into a box room won't look good and will only encourage people to leave early.

Location. Location. Location

If you're making a journey between two venues, a cross-country road trip is certainly out of the question. Bearing in mind most weddings have guests of all ages, from babies to great-great grandparents, sitting them down for an hour or so for the ceremony, then again for the drive to the reception won't find anybody in much of a partying mood.

Entertainment

So you've sorted the venue and everything looks good on paper, now the fun part can take place. So do you go for a DJ? Live band? Or Uncle Will and his ukulele? All you have to consider is a room that can take whatever choice you go for, accounting for all the instruments, amplifiers, and of course, a dance floor.