For some people their entire wedding is catered around a venue, perhaps a place where the couple met, or somewhere significant to them, maybe the place of their first date, or where they got engaged. Others however, find that they start with a blank page. Either way, choosing a venue is one of the most important decisions in planning a wedding.

However, with such an array of venues on offer it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Here we outline some of the different venue types.

One of the first things to bear in mind in the venue selection process is that a wedding tends to have two parts, the actual ceremony and the reception. Some venues obviously cater for both elements, others require separate venues to be sourced.

One of the most traditional venue options is a Church wedding. In recent years churches have become more receptive to welcoming couples from different backgrounds to get married and as a result, it is no longer a requirement for the couple to have regularly attended that church in order for them to be married there. With a variety of churches across the country, ranging from the picturesque village church to an inner-city contemporary church there is bound to be something to suit the couple’s taste!

Choosing a church wedding requires a reception venue to be sourced separately. Consequently some important factors may include choosing a reception venue that is easily accessible from the church or arranging transport for guests.

Country houses and stately homes are another popular venue choice. Often the allure of this venue type is the charm and character they present. Some venues offer exclusive use of the house and grounds for the day and offer the flexibility to hold the ceremony in the gardens or within the house depending on the weather and the couples preferences. Alternatively a few have churches within their grounds or very close by, enabling the couple to choose a traditional church ceremony if they prefer.

Well established venues are also likely to have a list of preferred suppliers which they have previously worked with and can therefore take the stress out of the wedding planning. This means that it may not be necessary to source caterers, DJs or transport separately and thus the couple can select a ‘complete wedding package’. Another additional benefit of choosing a stately home or country house wedding venue is that many offer on-site accommodation for the bridal party and guests.

The allure of saying ‘I Do’ overseas has become increasingly popular in recent years. With many people choosing to jet off to a sunnier climate.

However, there are several key considerations that need to be factored into account before committing to that dream destination. Firstly it is absolutely vital to undertake thorough research regarding the legal requirements and restrictions, as they vary significantly by country. It follows from this that it is also necessary to ensure that the marriage is legally valid in the UK as well as the country it was conducted in.

Some couples want to avoid all the formality associated with a traditional wedding and instead would rather a venue as unique as they are. In recent years there has been an increasing variety of businesses offering their services as a wedding venue, with options as diverse as boats to towers, wildlife reserves and zoos.

Whilst it can seem an arduous task to select that dream wedding venue, by investing time to research the various options available and considering how this fits in to the overall wedding plans such as budget and number of guests it can become a lot easier to find that dream venue.

Some venues will also offer a wedding planner to help discuss the various options available to the couple, and to talk through any questions that may arise.

Whatever venue choice is selected, it is sure to be a truly unforgettable day.