How to choose your perfect wedding venue

Finding the perfect venue for your big day can often be a challenge. Here at ITA*, we want to help you plan everything with as little stress as possible so you can just enjoy yourself. With over 20 spectacular wedding venues in our portfolio, we will be there to help guide you through all of your options for creating a magical day that you and your guests will never forget.

Here are our top tips on how to choose your perfect wedding venue:

1. How many people do you want to invite?

Your guest list will be one of the most crucial aspects in determining which venue is right for your celebration. If you’re looking for an intimate day with only your closest family and friends, then The Little Banqueting House at Hampton Court Palace, set in an idyllic walled garden on the banks of the river Thames makes for a picture perfect destination. A larger wedding party would be better suited to venues such as the East Wintergarden, with its spectacular glass ceiling, the prestigious, Georgian Law Society or the Old Royal Naval College where you could move on to the King William or Queen Mary suites to carry on dancing the night away with additional evening guests. It is essential to choose a venue that will work for you and for your guests.

2. Where in the country do you want to get married?

There are loads of things to consider when deciding on a wedding location. Many people choose to stay close to home, some like to go back to where they grew up, whereas others decide on a location that is particularly special to them both. A marriage in the Capital is often overlooked, but with so many beautiful venues with excellent transport links and endless accommodation options, London is a top spot for happy couples. Haberdashers’ Hall in the heart of the city is a fabulous venue, or if a river view is a priority, the Little Ship Club offers a relaxed and romantic waterfront wedding space. Alternatively, The Botanical Gardens in Birmingham is a stone’s throw from the bustling city centre, making it ideal for transport and accommodation and the beautifully landscaped gardens provide a stunning backdrop to any wedding.

3. What kind of ceremony would you like?

If you would like a church ceremony, then you will most likely be looking for a venue for the wedding breakfast and reception. If you are going for a traditional ceremony, how about booking a Red Bus with Traditional Travel to provide your guests with the true London experience? Nowadays, many couples opt to keep their entire event under one roof. This takes the stress out of arranging additional transport between locations and makes it simpler for your guests.

We have some truly fantastic venues, which are licensed to hold your ceremony and reception, including; The In & Out, Haberdashers’ Hall, and 28 Portland Place.

4. When would you like to get married?

If you have a specific date in mind for your wedding, then it is always worth checking availability before viewing a venue, if the date is a priority. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a place, only to find it’s not available when you want it. Summer weddings are often in demand, so planning ahead is always recommended. London offers a huge array of choice when it comes to venues, so there is the added advantage of shorter lead times when it comes to booking. On average, a summer wedding in the country will require booking 2 years in advance, but in London the average is 9-11 months. Some of our amazing summer venues offer secret gardens and beautiful secluded courtyards so you can bring a flavour of the country to the Capital.

If you are more flexible then it is definitely worth considering seasonal offers and off peak times to take the strain off your wallet. If you would like to experience a magnificent London venue, The In & Out, 28 Portland Place, Little Ship Club, The Law Society and Stationers’ Hall, all offer fabulous winter wedding packages, which could make a real difference to your budget.

5. Visit the venue!

Websites can be fantastic and provide loads of information, but it is so important to actually go to your preferred venues. It gives you a chance to really get a feel for the place, visualise your day and meet the onsite team who will be looking after you. The average couple will visit 3-5 venues before making their final decision. Remember to always keep your priorities in mind. Don’t waste your time visiting a venue if it doesn’t meet your criteria.

And don’t forget to go with your gut. Your first impressions are important and how you feel on entering a venue is often how your guests will also feel. This is one of the most important days of your life and we want it to be one of the best!