Words: Anna Kibbey Illustration: Jacqueline Bissett
FINDING A VENUE
Your first decision – and it might be an easy one – is whether or not to have a religious ceremony. A non-religious civil ceremony (that’s one with no religious references at all) can take place anywhere that has a marriage licence; religious ceremonies, of course, must take place in a church. Although there are rumblings of a change in the law, for now outdoor weddings aren’t recognised as legal. If you’re set on an alfresco wedding in the UK, a gazebo might be your best bet – they’re classed as ‘permanent structures’ and can be licensed. If you want a humanist ceremony, it’s worth noting that you’ll also have to make it legal in a register office.
Dull as it sounds – it’s not all rose petals and champagne – logistics should be the most powerful force determining your venue choices. If you’re set on a civil ceremony and have a broad range of ages and mobility levels on your guest list, keeping it all under one roof – at a hotel, say – is an appealing option. If you’re getting married in a church, you’ll be moving somewhere else for the reception. If guests are staying over, rooms on site will make you very popular with parents of young kids and your senior guests.
Browse Square Meal's list of wedding venues.
WEB OF IDEAS
Once you’ve identified a rough location for your ceremony and reception, it’s time to compile your list of venues. The internet is your best friend at this point. A vague idea of numbers is all you need for your initial research on a website like, say, squaremeal.co.uk/weddings – where you’ll find pictures, capacities, maps and links to get you started.
When you’re making enquiries, you’ll need your dates – peak Saturdays get booked up well in advance so flexibility will help. Once you’ve established availability, the venue’s wedding co-ordinator will arrange a showround.
THE 10 SEATING PLAN COMMANDMENTS
- Thou shalt not split couples up on different tables – it’s contrived and (almost) no one will thank you.
- Thou shalt not match make.
- Honour thy mother and thy father and the state of their relationship – divorced parents can host a table each.
- Thou shalt not have favourites – if one set of parents is on the top table, both should be.
- Thou shalt not break friends up too much – each guest should know half the people at their table.
- Remember the kids – highchairs and goodie bags.
- No elderly guests right next to the speakers – or on tables that are going to be moved after the meal.
- No kids too far from the bathroom.
- Thou shalt not over-style your table plan – readability from a few paces is more important than stunning visual impact.
- Thou shalt not finalise your table plan until the day before the wedding – you’ll always have a last-minute drop-out.
This article was first published in Square Meal Weddings, 2015