Does location matter?

Blue_Monkey

OH and I are from Essex and we're not that keen on some of the wedding venues there. We'd really like a blank canvas type place and they are few and far between.

So I'm wondering if it would be weird/inappropriate if we decided to get married elsewhere in the country? I'd like to make a weekend of it, and whilst I reckon close friends and family would be up for it, there will always be some moaners - plus I reckon it means having guests that come to the whole thing rather than splitting it into day and evening guests (ie people coming for the evening wouldn't want to travel across the country really would they?)...

An example of places we like the look of are:

www.polhawnfort.com
www.buckettslandfarm.com

Does it matter that we don't really have an affinity to these areas? Is it a bit random?

PootleFlump_3

I personally dont think so. Im from Edinburgh but going to choose a venue based on how nice it is/the overall setting rather than how close it is to "home". Half of our guests will be travelling from England but we may end up getting married in the highlands. Whilst it might be a further trek for some of them (and for those who already live in Scotland), having a nice location is essential to us. As you say some people might not want to travel so its likely that we will be inviting everyone to the whole thing rather than having day and evening guests. You should go with your gut feeling on this one.

p.s Polhawnfort is a gorgeous setting!!

Blue_Monkey

Thanks... I guess the thing is that 90% of our guests will be coming from Essex anyway! So pretty much the whole wedding party would be travelling!

trying_2_b_good

It depends on how many people you are inviting and what their financial situation is. Also - how bothered would you be if people couldn't make it? I went to a wedding in Cambridge this year, and it cost me an absolute fortune in petrol (from Manchester) 2 nights hotel stay, food the night before and the day after - not to mention presents, new outfit etc. I didn't mind because it was a close friend, but I wouldn't have done it for a lot of people!

If you have a late ceremony, perhaps people will only have to stay one night as can travel the morning of. Our venue is about an hour away for most people - perhaps you can find something that is not more than 1.5hrs away?

fawny

Hi,

I think you need to go where you are happy with. As you can see we are getting married in Rhodes which is a long way to travel & also costly for people. You have to be prepared for people to say they can't come because of the cost & be comfortable with it. We will probably only have about 20 guests at our wedding out of the 60 invited, if we had stayed in this country I think all 60 would have come. We knew this when we decided but it where we want to go.

Curious_George_2

Im also in essex and also have all day guests (no split invites.... my tiny brain couldnt cope with the extra stress!)
I know you want to go elsewhere but if i can help you with essex venues i will, how about keeping it in the county just a different bit?
if your nearer london why not go to the coast? or vice versa

Blue_Monkey

Thanks Curious George... If you have any suggestions for blank-canvas type places that would be ace? Cheers!

Scotsbride

I live in Scotland most of our friends and family live in London. We having the wedding in Scotland MILB is not happy about location or date it's a saturday (but it our day not hers!) At the end of the day it's your day!! but bear in mind some people won't travel that far and also when in the year and what day you get married on as if any friends or family are teachers like in my family they won't be able to take time off during term time so you'll need to factor this in with travel plans.

MrsDrink

Scotsbride wrote: »

I live in Scotland most of our friends and family live in London. We having the wedding in Scotland MILB is not happy about location or date it's a saturday (but it our day not hers!) At the end of the day it's your day!! but bear in mind some people won't travel that far and also when in the year and what day you get married on as if any friends or family are teachers like in my family they won't be able to take time off during term time so you'll need to factor this in with travel plans.

Or use it to your advantage if you have any teacher friends/family that you'd rather not come :rotfl: And people ask me why I want it on a Tuesday during term time!

Nyankochan_2

We've been to plenty of friends' weddings that were nowhere near where they lived (probably the furthest was Birmingham to Huddersfield), but it will depend on your own preferences. We chose to stay local because many of our friends either don't have a car or don't drive at all, so we needed somewhere accessible. True, family will always make the effort but in our case we have less than eight family members coming on each side, so our friends are going to make up the majority of the guests!

Curious_George_2

obviously i have no idea of your budget or really what you mean by a blank canvas type of place (everyone likes something different)
but ive only heard good things about this place http://www.crabbsbarn.co.uk/index.php
layer marney is lovely - http://www.layermarneytower.co.uk/
and we very nearly had our wedding here http://www.prested.co.uk/products.asp?step=2&id=8&pstring=1,8