Help for a newbie - please!!

Hadley1

Once again - thanks everyone.

jtr2803 - really not sure. But it does look a lovely venue.

Hadley1

Hi jane81

How did your visit go?

Jane81

Hi Hadley1,

Very well thank you - it is a beautiful venue in Malmesbury, next door to the Abbey. It's actually a family home, the oldest part of which is around 13th Century (I think), with the most amazing (and huuuge!) gardens. The couple who own it are lovely and it is pretty much everything we want. The only issues are cost - actually fairly reasonable given the quality of the venue and the going rate for the area, but still high by our standards!! Also, the reception will only go until 11pm (kick-out at 11.30) which is quite early, although we will probably be knackered by then, and there are a couple of pubs and hotels close by where people could go for a nightcap or three.

Basically, we both love it but don't want to commit ourselves till we have had a think and seen a few more places.

Hadley1

Oh it does sound lovely!! I initially wanted something similar, but not sure the other half was too impressed. hopefully his love of beer will mean he is a happy bunny with the brewery. So just a teeny bit jealous

Though its hard for me to say this, as normally just react with my heart rather than my head, you are probably right to sit down, think about it and to view other places. Guess it can only reinforce that its the right one.

Oh and I hope you asked lots of questions.

Hadley1

Sorry jane - have just reread and 11pm does seem early for the party to end. It might be a struggle to co ordinate moving a large number of people from the venue to a pub and also you would have to be sure that the pub would be happy for you to do so at that sort of time.

Is the 11pm compulsory? Can you arrange for a later licence - though this might cost more.

Hadley1

Hi Guys,

Once again thanks for all the really helpful responses.

I have been busy putting together a list of questions and I am now prepared with a note book to scribble down the answers/info.

But can i ask another (possibly stupid) question - do venues allow you take photos when you do visits like these. I think the answer is probably no, but i am asking as my dad is ill and won't be able to visit first hand and also my mum lives quite far away. It would just be helpful when trying to decsribe/explain the venue to them.

I do have a copy of the wedding brochure for the venue, but its not that comprehensive in terms of photos.

Thanks once again.

LEJC

It varies from venue to venue...take your camera or phone with you just in case you are lucky!....one things for sure if you dont take it the answer will have been yes!

Jane81

Hadley1 wrote: »

Sorry jane - have just reread and 11pm does seem early for the party to end. It might be a struggle to co ordinate moving a large number of people from the venue to a pub and also you would have to be sure that the pub would be happy for you to do so at that sort of time.

Is the 11pm compulsory? Can you arrange for a later licence - though this might cost more.

Sorry for the late reply - been working!! 11 is early, but enough people would be ready to call it a night by then anyway that it wouldn't be a case of moving the whole party, more getting a few people together for after-party drinks. One of the places which will be open is a small hotel which we may be able to rent in its entirety for people needing a place to stay (we both have huge families, most of whom live a good few hours' drive away) and is almost next door to the venue so the logistics would not be too bad, plus there may be a possibility of arranging a late licence with them (normally closes at 12). I don't think we can do a late licence with the venue themselves though

Anyway, let us know how your venue visit goes x

By the way, I can't imagine most venues would have a problem with you taking photos, as long as you asked first?

Hadley1

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to do a quick update in relation to my visit to the brewery on Sat. Sorry its a bit late, but lots has happened in between including my dad going into hospital, but he is out agin now.

Anyway, it was lovely. Really unusual. other half loves it. I am slightly torn as we did see another venue (a long long time ago) which was a castle (well stately home). that was stunning. But I think in the end we can't really afford that. But being a romantic girly... the whole idea of getting married in a castle.

other half is trying to convince me that it is the weddings that are out of the ordinary that people remember and enjoy. but now my mum is telling me how lovely the castle is and nice as the brewery is its not a castle.

Oh dilemas. I know that if we go for the castle we will need to cut back a lot elsewhere. Whilst the brewery would allow us more flexibility.

Think its a question of head or heart in my case!!!!

LEJC

Personally I woild go with the option I could afford...I can see it from both sides quirky v romantic...and these mums well they always like a say too!

At the end of it ..its your decision and the outcome of you getting married will be the same whichever venue you choose...weddings can be expensive and if it starts off above your budget then the costs are sure to go up .... one piece of advice I have thou is if the castle/home is a real possibility...then revisit it and see if you still get the same vibes the second time....ask them about the possibility of movement on price and take it from there...you never know you may get your "dream " location within budget eapecially if you can be flexible...
do let us know how it goes....