Welcome to the wonderful world of wedding planning! One of the big items to tick off your list is finding your dream wedding venue. If you’re not sure where to start, this list will give you an idea of what to look out for so you know when you’ve found The One! Sure, it may not have been love at first sight with your Other Half, but it’s possible to find a wedding venue that you fall in love with immediately.
Main image credit: Laura and Benny Photography | Heights Hotel Killarney
Fits your style
Your perfect wedding venue will fit your style, so it’s important to have an idea of what your style is. Prior to venue hunting, think about your personal style as a couple and the type of wedding you picture. Do you imagine an elegant wedding in a castle or hotel? Is an outdoor garden wedding more your style? Would you prefer an intimate, cosy wedding? Do you want to say ‘I do’ near beautiful outdoor settings like a beach or forest? Knowing your style will help determine which types of wedding venues to look at.
R&E Duo | The Conyngham Arms
Perfect location
There are lots of reasons to prioritise a particular location over another. Consider if there is a county you would like to get married in, particularly if you’d like to tie the knot close to home. Something else to consider is the type of location you’d like. Do you want to get married in the city or the country? Your dream wedding venue will be in the ideal location!
Ian Hennessy Photography | The Four Seasons Hotel Monaghan
Great reviews
One of the best ways to know if a wedding venue is a good fit is by reading the reviews. You can see the experience of other couples and get a good understanding of how great a venue really is. We highly recommend selecting a venue with lots of positive reviews.
Andrew Kilfeather | Markree Castle Sligo
Matches with your guest count
What comes first, guest count or wedding venue? In this chicken or egg scenario, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. Either make a guest list and find a wedding venue that fits, or find your dream wedding venue and plan your guest list accordingly. Either way, the two should match up. The last thing you want is to send Save the Dates to 250 guests and then find your dream venue can only accommodate 100.
Renata Dapsyte Photography | Station House Hotel
Good photo ops
Your perfect wedding venue will have amazing places to take beautiful photos. It’s important that you are able to take gorgeous photos outside and inside too if the weather doesn’t play along.
Evelyn Woodard | Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
In your budget
Make sure you’ve created a wedding budget before hunting for a venue. You don’t want to visit your perfect venue and then realise it doesn’t fit into your budget, so be prepared. And while we’re at it, find out what is included in your venue hire costs. Will there be a dedicated coordinator? Are chairs, tables and linen included?
Timtim Media | The Village Barn
Availability
Of course, your dream venue will be available on your date. Unless, of course, you choose to find a stunning venue and then pick your wedding date based on its availability. The choice is yours!
While you’re here, why not take a look at our Wedding Venue Finder? It’s the perfect tool to hunt for gorgeous wedding venues without having to do a single Google search.
