What Style of Wedding Venue is right for you?

Choosing the right wedding venue for you is pivotal in making your wedding day everything you envisioned and more. Getting your venue setting right is key to the success of your wedding planning, and ultimately your day – it’ll create the foundation for your wedding day to be built upon, with all the other elements of your wedding coming together collaboratively around it.

We like to think of venue hunting as very similar to house hunting. You set your ideals in terms of budget, location, size and style and off you go trying to find a venue than aligns with your criteria. Sounds easy right? But… then you find a venue that you love but it doesn’t cater for the number of guests you have (you went out searching for a five bedroom house and this one only has three!) and the compromise is too big. Sometimes the compromise is there but you just don’t care because it feels ‘right’ – imagine you wanted a large south facing garden and this one is a little smaller and west facing but the house is perfect for you… you can live with that right?

Westonbirt House, Gloucestershire

So how do you know what you want or need? Before you can go ‘shopping’ for your venue you need to consider what is most important to you and your day. Don’t forget that this can’t just be all the ideals of Pinterest, it must be real too. We recommend you consider the following…

Capacity – Before deciding on a venue, you need to decide on your approximate guest list numbers as this will have a huge effect on the venue you choose. Hoping for a small intimate affair, then you won’t want a marquee, or likewise you have an enormous family and even more friends so you’re unlikely to fit in a smaller hotel.

Budget – We can all fall in love with something we can’t afford, so it’s important to know your budget and venues that are within it. Don’t be afraid to ask a venue about discounts for compromising on time of year, day of the week or a late availability booking – these can bring a venue into your budget at times so don’t entirely discount a venue immediately!

Buffalo Tipis

Your Style/Theme – Work out how you want your wedding day to look. If you’re hoping for lawn games and Pimms, then a town hall is unlikely to suit, but a manor house may be perfect for you! If you want it cosy, consider a quaint public house and not a large hotel function room. Take the time to figure what you want your day to look and feel like and the decision on venue type will soon fall into place!

Location – Consider if you have guests travelling some distance and need on site accommodation, or if a coach could be an option. Would you love your day to take place under one roof, or are you happy/prefer for your ceremony and reception to be in two separate locations?

Decide on all your non-negotiables - If fireworks or candles are a must for instance, then you’ll need to find a venue that will allow them. How about outside space, is it essential or are you happy to have your photographs captured at the nearby park first? Have you got a chef in the family that wants to cover the catering? If so, you’ll need a venue that allows outside catering! Decide on the must-haves… are they really must-haves or are you willing to compromise?

Drakestone House, Gloucestershire

With the above decided, you’re ready to start searching! There are so many venue styles to choose from, and we’ve got pretty much all of them covered on the Whitewed Directory… Check them out here!

We asked four of our Whitewed approved venues to share with you what is it about their venue that sets them apart from other venue types and makes them special... Does their venue style cover your search criteria?

Devizes Town Hall, Wiltshire

DIY venue

If you’re looking for a blank canvas to make your own, surrounded by beautiful countryside, then The Orchard at Munsley might be just for you! Here's what they had to say about their venue...

• The Orchard at Munsley offers couples a flexible, DIY approach, allowing them to personalise their wedding, even down to the structure. The versatility of an outdoor venue allows for unlimited numbers and can be moulded and shaped to respond to the elements for a fun, intimate wedding where guests party round the fire-pit in one place. Couples can really bring their dream day to life here.

• The venue is nestled in a beautiful apple orchard which constantly changes with the seasons so it looks different throughout the year. It is overlooked by a pretty duck pond and historic, little church giving it a rustic charm, stunning views and fantastic photo opportunities.

• The husband and wife team behind the venue take pride in offering a personalised approach, getting to know the couple before their big day and helping out in any way they can. They also love a night out, so a later finish is an option for those newly wed party animals amongst you!!

Photo Credit: Emily Wells Photography, The Orchard at Munsley

Photo Credit: Emily Wells Photography, The Orchard at Munsley

Photo Credit: Emily Wells Photography,The Orchard at Munsley

Hotel Venue

If you're looking for a venue that can host your ceremony, reception, evening celebrations and a place to stay all under one roof, then a hotel wedding venue may be just the setting for you! Stratton House Hotel has all of the above and so much more, here's what they had to say about their Cotswold venue...

• We have a stunning recently refurbished function suite which is beautiful for your wedding ceremony and celebrations either left as it is, or provides a canvas for you to personalise and decorate to create your perfect unique day.

• We are a privately family owned hotel, so although we have excellent value all-inclusive wedding packages and offers, we can also create a bespoke tailor-made wedding day especially for you. This ensures your big day is exactly how you want it to be.

• We are the perfect venue to help you plan your wedding and can be with you every step pf the way. We are licensed for civil ceremonies, we have 44 bedrooms including an exquisite bridal suite, there is a wonderful walled garden or drawing room, both perfect for drinks receptions, and so your entire wedding day can take place all in one location without the need for you and your guests to go anywhere else. With a fabulous range of trusted local wedding suppliers too, we have everything you need to create your perfect wedding.

Stratton House Hotel, Cirencester

Stratton House Hotel, Cirencester

Stratton House Hotel, Cirencester

Barn Venue

If you're looking for a rural barn venue in the heart of the picturesque English Cotswolds that offers outstanding rustic charm, and character in abundance, then Oxleaze Barn may be just the venue style for you! If you were hoping to keep all your celebrations in one place, then you'll love the fact the Oxleaze Barn is licensed, has plenty of space for dancing and even has an onsite cottage for accommodation too! here's what they had to say about their Cotswold venue...

• Oxleaze Barn is set on a family-run working farm. The Barn is run off solar and biomass which is at the heart of our drive to encourage sustainability in all that we do. This gives back to our couples, we are able to provide a nature haven which adds charm and beauty to your wedding photos with farm animals, wildlife and rare birds. You can even take advantage of our tractor, Bassey for a ride around the farm!

• Oxleaze Barn is underfloor heated, has contemporary ambient lighting throughout and subtle modern AV equipment. The 400 year old beams and exposed stone walls provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding. Cosy yet charming, our practical approach to design means that you don’t have to compromise, you can have the concertina doors open and the sun pouring in on an August Saturday, or the fire lit and the fairy lights on for a January Monday.

• Flexibility and personal approach are at the centre of all of our weddings. We allow you the opportunity to use whichever caterers you would like for the perfect dining experience which best reflects you, you can dance to a ceilidh or a beat-boxer, have your ceremony in the paddock or the barn and decorate with pom poms or garlands until your heart’s content – all we ask is that you have fun planning and creating the best day of your lives!

Photo Credit: Jordanna Marston Photography, Oxleaze Barn

Photo Credit: Cath Prescott Phootgraphy, Oxleaze Barn

Photo Credit: Big Eye Photography, Oxleaze Barn

Traditional Inn Venue

If you're looking for a venue that offers you choice as to where you say 'I do', ample rustic charm and history, and boutique bedrooms for your nearest and dearest then The Old Lodge on Minchinhampton Common could be just the venue for you. here's what they had to say about their venue...

• We have three licensed areas for your civil ceremony, our intimate panel room (maximum of 22 people), our panoramic restaurant (maximum of 100 people) or our outside pagoda. So we are able to hold a wedding for all sizes and offer a gorgeous outdoor ceremony.

• We are in an area of natural beauty, in the middle of National Trust land with unrivalled views of the Cotswolds.

• We are privately owned and so pride ourselves in being bespoke and unique, although we offer wedding packages, we are happy to put something together that is completely different as long as it works for you. Your Day, Your Way.

Photo Credit: Honeydew Moments, The Old Lodge

Photo Credit: Camilla Reynolds Photography, The Old Lodge

Photo Credit: ITV, The Old Lodge

The choice of lovely venues in which to celebrate your wedding is endless – from country manor houses, contemporary hotels, country clubs, barns or village halls - your whole day will revolve around your venue and will set the look and feel of your day. Over on The Whitewed Directory we have you covered, with over 25 venues and marquee or Tipi companies to choose from... we're bound to have something that is perfect for you!

A wedding show or open day is the perfect opportunity to scout out a venue in a relaxed and informal manner, as well as finding great suppliers too! We'll be bringing you lots of shows this year, or follow the venues that take your fancy over on their social media pages to see when they may be opening their doors!

Here's the links to the Instagram accounts of our four fabulous contributors...

The Orchard at Munsley - Instagram

Oxleaze Barn - Instagram

Stratton House Hotel -Instagram

The Old Lodge - Instagram.

This is probably the most important choice that you will have to make for your wedding, so take your time, enjoy the search and have fun finding the perfect venue!

Happy planning,

Love Team Whitewed

xxx