All you need is LOVE and a dream wedding venue!

For some couples picking their perfect wedding venue is easy, for others it can be more of a challenge. Saying “I do” to a venue can be as important as saying “I do” to a dress. So, whether you already know what kind of place you’re looking for or if you are unsure but open to ideas, we’ve got ALL the top tips from those in the know! That’s right we’ve asked the lovely lot at Styal Lodge to give us their insider tips on how to choose the perfect wedding venue whatever your style or budget!

I simply adore Styal Lodge, it’s one of my favourite venues, so much so that we’ve held our exclusive event The Wedding Edit at this stunning location three years on the trot. We’ve also seen many of our LOVE brides say “I do” at Styal Lodge and are still swooning over the photos!

So, if you’re on the hunt for the perfect place to host your dream wedding, check out their 5 fantastic and not-to-be missed tips on how to find your perfect wedding venue!

(L) Emillie May Photography (R) Wyldbee Photography

Agree What You Both Want

Picking your perfect wedding venue is kind of a big deal! It’s not only a milestone moment on your wedding journey but your choice of venue plays a huge role in determining the overall style of your wedding. So, save yourself a lot of wedding planning woes by making sure you and your partner agree on the vibe you want before you view venues.  Take some time out with your loved one and really get into the nitty gritty!

Will it be a summer vibe, with clinking glasses in the fresh air or a winter wedding somewhere cosy with twinkling lights?  Make sure you pin down your theme too – will you be dialling up the romance and glamour or opting for a more rustic and relaxed affair?  Whatever you decide, to get the wedding of your dreams, being on the same page as your partner from the beginning will make your venue search a whole lot easier!

Lana Bradburn Photography

Know Your Budget

Think budgeting is a romance killer? Think again!

Getting your budget straight before you visit venues is a must – even if it’s only a rough ballpark figure. Trust us, there is absolutely no point visiting venues you simply can’t afford so do some research beforehand. Often a venue’s price is linked to the number of guests joining you on your big day, so it’s a good idea to have a steer on the size of the wedding you want – this will also help you narrow down your venue search and keep you on budget!  You don’t want to fall in love with a venue that is unable to cater for your guest list. Overcrowded and cramped isn’t anyone’s idea of a dream wedding.

So, hop online and check out guide price lists from all the venues you’ve shortlisted (e.g. ours is easily found on our brochure which you can download from our website here). It’s a quick and easy way to get a rough guide to affordability and will save you oodles of time!

Think About Location

When you imagine your dream wedding what do you envisage? Do you dream of getting married in a church or having your ceremony and reception in the same venue? Knowing a plan for the day will help you select the right venue.

Location is more than just the pretty vistas and stunning scenery, although we admit that we are a sucker for a pretty view at Styal Lodge thanks to our private gardens and idyllic countryside location. Think about all the aspects of your day, from ceremony to reception and how accessible it all is for your guests. If your guests are coming from far away, is there ample accommodation nearby? If you’re wanting that church ceremony, how easy is it to get to your venue afterwards?

Selecting a venue in a location that is easy-peasy to get to will remove the stress from your guests and make the day flow dreamily. Here at Styal Lodge we have our own entrance and parking plus great transport links to Manchester, the airport and London which make us very easy for guests to reach.

Birches & Pine Wedding Photography

Think About the Space You’ll Need

Do you want a massive dancefloor for the evening reception? A large space for a formal sit-down meal or private gardens to host drinks? Choosing a venue that allows you the most flexibility to create the wedding of your dreams is essential before you book. At Styal Lodge we know how important it is for couples to use our venue in their own signature way. That’s why we are always open to suggestions and ideas! Our “Exclusively Yours” approach means you get to pick and choose from a variety of catering styles, tasting menus, and spacious areas to use – such as our rustic barn, our lush private gardens (with bar) and of course making the most of our stunning scenery with photo opportunities by the side of our lake. Whatever your dream day looks like, being realistic about the space on offer is oh so important before you sign on the dotted line! So, take the time to make sure your shortlisted venue ticks all your ‘space’ boxes!

Opperhill Photography

Have an Open Mind

Just like your wedding dress, a venue might take you by surprise! Sometimes you just walk into a space and “know” it’s the one. If you’re still on the fence and can’t decide, don’t be afraid to ask to see a venue on more than one occasion. It can be really helpful to see a place at different times of day and in different weathers and of course seasons too. Open days are also a great way to see the venue at its best – so check out any of your shortlisted venues on social media for dates to put in your diary. At Styal Lodge we tend to have regular open days so why not follow us on Instagram for details of our next one.

When searching for venues it’s easy to rely on Google to pull up local, popular choices – but our final tip would be to dig a little deeper. Look for recommendations, read reviews, follow venues on social media and ask friends and family for recommendations. At Styal Lodge we pride ourselves on building relationships with our brides that ensure their wedding day is as special as it can be – so if you think we could be the venue of your dreams and you’d like to visit, then please get in touch!

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I just LOVE these top tips! It’s true that good venues naturally get booked up fast, so whatever you’re looking for, once you find a wedding venue you LOVE (and you’ve made sure it ticks all your boxes) don’t delay! Getting your venue sorted early means you’re more likely to get the date you hoped for too!

And there’s nothing more exciting than getting that all important date booked in!

Lots of love,

Emma xxx