West Country Wedding Forum

There is a huge diversity of wedding venues in the West Country to choose from. Whether you plan a civil ceremony or a church wedding, the choice of reception venue is often the most crucial part of the whole day. Whilst the marriage ceremony is what it is all about, it is the celebration of the union that most of your guests will be looking forward to. You may have already decided on a lavish reception with all friends and family from near and far invited to attend or you may prefer a smaller, more intimate reception. You could also decide to have a smaller number at the ceremony and main meal, with additional guests in the evening and lay on a buffet. For many the decision is dictated by costs, ultimately though you will know what kind of reception will best suit you and your guests.

If you are having a church ceremony then you will also want to bear in mind how many of your guests may want to stay overnight and whether a venue with accommodation would be preferable. If you are having a civil ceremony then holding your wedding at a venue with a civil licence means there are no worries about travelling from the registry office. Most larger venues these days have a civil licence, there may even be a choice of rooms availbale for the ceremony or even the garden. You may want to check that the venue does not cater to more than one wedding at a time - some do, which is only a problem if you would rather be the only bride on the day.

Another consideration in relation to choosing a wedding venue will be how well it serves as a backdrop to wedding photographs. Depending on the time of year, you may be planning the photographs to be taken mainly indoors, or outdoors. Spring and summer brides may have a preference for a venue with attractive gardens with features such as a lake or waterfall. Winter brides may want to consider how well the interior decor will serve as a backdrop, features such as an attractive staircase or large fireplace may be important. this may be an important starting point for considering what sort of dress or colour of flowers would look most suitable.

If you find the perfect venue but it cannot seat the number of guests you were planning to invite do not despair. Hiring a marquee may be the answer. Equally they may be your choice of venue in themselves, if you can hire a sports field or have friends or familiy with a large enough garden. Marquees are ideaslly suited to summer weddings where guests will be free to wander the grounds and sip champagne. You may need to consider toilet facilities for these locations. You will also want to check whether the company provides lighting, flooring, and heating, or whether an extra marquee maybe necessary for catering and drinks.

Wedding venues in the West Country range from elegant Georgian mansions or country houses to attractive converted barns or mills. Many hotels and inns cater for wedding receptions and have the benefit of accommodation for you and your guests. It may be worth sampling the food and accommodation before you commit to booking your reception there - some offer special rates for this. Another option is the country house that is available for hire for the entire weekend where you can have the ceremony, reception and a whole weekend to enjoy the company of your friends and family. Some provide catering or can recommend caterers so you do not have to worry about a thing.

Whatever you decide you are sure to find the right choice among the many wedding venues in the West Country www.WestCountryWeddingGuide.co.uk