Finding and booking a wedding venue that will be the setting of one life’s most important milestones isn’t easy.
The World Wide Web offers a number of advantages when sourcing a wedding venue that suits your needs and budget – particularly in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wedding venues are currently not allowed to host viewings in person. That’s why we’re doing virtual tours and Zoom calls to ensure couples looking to book Holmewood Hall can still take a look around and ask all the questions they need to ask to make the all-important decision about their wedding venue with complete confidence.
But what should you be asking the venue’s wedding coordinator during the viewing? Here we reveal the top questions…
What’s included?
Your shortlisted wedding venue is likely to have a number of wedding packages available and being clear on exactly what each includes will make wedding planning a breeze in the long and short term.
Packages vary from venue to venue, but here at Holmewood Hall, we understand that one size doesn’t fit all.
As a result, our bespoke wedding packages include everything you need for a perfect wedding, and then our couples are free to choose from an array of added extras, known as finishing touches, to make their wedding day that extra bit special.
Do you have on-site accommodation?
Having accommodation at the venue takes away all the stress of arranging transport at the end of the night, and it means you can continue ordering drinks as residents, and wake up with your family and friends the following day and have breakfast together. Not all venues have the luxury of onsite accommodation, but Holmewood Hall is blessed with 18 luxury en-suite bedrooms.
Are there any noise restrictions?
Whilst you probably don’t want to think about it, there comes a time when the party has to stop on your wedding day. This time is usually dictated by noise restrictions. Working with the noise restrictions of your venue is the key as Martha Stewart Weddings explains:
“Most couples who plan to marry at a venue that closes early will opt to schedule an early start time for their wedding. For instance, a ceremony at 4 p.m. leads to a 5 p.m. cocktail hour followed by a 6 p.m. dinner and dancing from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.”
Be clear on the noise restrictions and entertainment cut off times that will apply to your wedding reception.
Who will be there to support us?
Ensuring you have the support you need both in the run-up to your wedding date and on the big day itself is important. You don’t want to be fussing over the finer details when you should be enjoying your ceremony and reception.
Find out who will be there for you on the day and who’ll be your main contact at the venue during the wedding planning process.
Our experienced Personal Wedding Manager provides support in the build up, and will be there, along with our dedicated venue team, every step of the way on the day itself too.
Do I get exclusive use of the site?
Unbeknown to most, exclusive use is not a given when booking a wedding venue. Without it you could be sharing the venue for your special day with another couple.
Some wedding venues have two prices – one for exclusive use and one for non-exclusive use. Holmewood Hall is not open to the public and only ever hosts one wedding per week. You are guaranteed exclusive use of our house and grounds for the entirety of your special day.
What to ask BEFORE booking a viewing
We can’t stress the importance of being flexible on potential wedding dates enough, particularly if you’re pretty much set on a particular wedding venue.
Ask about availability on or around preferred dates when enquiring. Many couples book their wedding venues 12 to 18 months in advance to ensure their wedding plans can go ahead on the date they want and at a venue they love without a hitch.
There are so many things to consider when setting a date, not just venue availability. Discover 10 things to bear in mind when shortlisting dates for your wedding.
You should also enquire about venue capacity and pricing before viewing a venue to ensure it meets your requirements and budgets. Whether you can host the ceremony at the venue, if they have outside ceremony options or if you have to use an approved list of vendors also tend to be deal-breaking questions that should ideally be asked before booking a viewing.
Discover more about why Holmewood Hall is the perfect place to host your wedding by contacting our team today. You can also book a virtual viewing right here.
