Wedding venue what to look 4 & questions to ask

sharpee

Thanks we're off to one next month. Thing is he wants the day to be what I want (which is really nice) but it would be nice for him to have some input.

So have thought of a way to get him involved! As we're having a small wedding I thought it would be a good idea to set up a website and write a blog, so all the relatives/friends who won't be coming feel involved and somehwhere we can display our photos for them all to see. He will love that as he is the computer geeky.

Cezzabelle

Hi
Sharpee your message could have been written by me . Just over 3 years together at engagement (4 now) spring 2012 wedding, live away from "home" getting married in Newcastle.

My advice would be to try and see an "example" of each "type" of venue- hotel, stately home, marquee, conference type place. We were so sure we would want the Marriott at gosforth park having been to various functions there and its close to our church but on our first visit there were two weddings on and H2B said that was a no go for him, he only wants ours. Which ruled out all venues that could or would hold more than one. Not something I had even considered until we saw it for ourselves.There were lots of other "little" things like that at the various venues, that don’t occur to you until you see them. By time we decided on "the one" we were 100% sure it ticked all the boxes.

Also try and have a rough idea of numbers. Lots of places cant hold more than 90 unless you have a marquee and we really struggled to find somewhere that could take our 130 day time guests which meant wasted trips! Oh and make sure they are available before you look, you def def dont want to fall in love with something you cant have.

Also don’t worry about making "appointments" with the wedding co-ordinators. The duty managers/front of house etc can show you round. On the Marriott viewing weekend, that was the only appointment I had made and we just phoned two others on the off chance and both said come down anytime…including the one we have ended up booking.

Realise I havent helped by telling you any of the questions to ask but I am V excited for you!

BTW Marriott was lovely just I thought H2B probably wont have an awful lot of strong feelings about much to do with the day so figured I should take notice of him when he did ;-)

Rahven

Great lists!

Don't forget to ask about disabled access if you have any disabled / elderly guests (are there any areas only reached by stairs etc?)

Congratulations, and good luck! :T

sharpee

Thanks Cezzabelle!

I am hoping for only around 20 people, 30 max so hopefully can be a little flexible where we go. Plus were planning a Friday wedding in Feb/March so hope this will also help with availability etc.

I did think of somewhere small where we could have exclusive use but on the other hand fancy somewhere that has a spa & facilities.

We going up for a long weekend in feb so will arrange to go the the venues I fancy (lots of internet research to do first) so I can see the places myself.

All so exciting

Cezzabelle

oh well with smaller numbers you will have some amazing options open to you. Is there anywhere back home thats special for you? Its amazing the number of places that you can get married at when you havent got a crazy guest list like us haha
Not sure whether you meant that someone else will be viewing the venues for you or if you just meant that as you are away you can possibly view everywhere so need a shortlist. If its the first one, get them to take loads of photos on digital camera, thats what we did to show H2B's family. Where abouts in Newcastle are you looking at? City centre or closer to where you are actually from?

sharpee

We're not that bothered about staying in the City Centre.

Have loads of options Agill Castle, Seaham Hall, Matfen Hall to name a few.

Going up tonight and a weekend of visiting venues, soo excited!

Cezzabelle

oooh where are you going to see?

sharpee

Ok so went to see the following places:

1. Slaley Hall: They were very polite, spent plently time showing us around answering all our questions and gave us complimentary tea/coffees after for us to sit over while having a think. :j

2. Matfen Hall: Like the Great Hall but was definately old and a bit tired than Slaley but they spent planty time showing us around, answering questions and again complimentary drinks.:beer:

3. Slaley Hall: Very nice but was made to think we were taking up her time. After a very quick tour we were dismissed and feeling a bit miffed!

So know I am really not sure at all about the venue! :eek:

So an afternoon with my mum on the internet looking for other venues:(

losingpatience

Well if it's of any help we viewed:

The quayside exchange sunderland - nice enough, the vaulted basements are stunning and ideal for smaller wedding parties but the area around the venue was very run down so there was little options for outdoor photos. Very reasonably priced but no accomodation

The manor house hotel Bishop Auckland - probably a bit far out for you and the room for the ceremony/wedding breakfast was stunning but again no real options for photographs. They did have bedrooms available and we could get a 20% discount on the food as we were originally looking at Jan - March so not badly priced

Longhirst, Morpeth - Really stunning room for the ceremony, for smaller wedding parties the reception rooms were also lovely, anything over 50 and the rooms weren't that great. They had bedrooms as well, have an onsite spa and lovely grounds. They also had a good offer on, just the rooms that we would have had to use because of the number of guests we were having put us off

Kirkley Hall, Ponteland - Where we have ended up booking. They had a fantastic offer on - 2011 weddings for £2011. It hasn't got bedrooms but for that price we got exclusive use for the day. It's got beautiful landscaped gardens and the rooms are lovely but not too big.

Other places you could look at are dissington hall, langley castle, lumley castle, horton grange, close house