Help needed! What type of venue?!

Hi Clare - huge congratulations - Exciting isn't it!!

I also hated that I had no control over mainly the food side of things. I searched and searched until I found somewhere perfect that allowed self-catering so I can get caterers to do my hot buffet and myself and family will also add to that with cold nibbles, it has brought the cost down so much.

I'll warn you now, you'll have to send email after email, phonecall after phonecal etc for what seems like forever to find the venue for you.

I was looking at everything from hotels to castles to stately homes for my evening reception. In the end we booked an old church, it's perfect and we knew it as soon as we stepped foot inside and saw the grand room.

Get googling and good luck.

Why not go on your local councils website to find a list of all the local venues that are registered to hold a ceremony. That way you can get married and possibly have your reception with BBq in the same place. You will be amazed at all the places that have been approved. Then get on the internet have a look at them, short list some go and have a look at the ones you like and then you might suddenly work out that you like such and such type of venue ro def dont want something like one of them. It took a lot of research and time to find our venue but once we had it the whole day kinda planned itself. Good luck and am sure there will be others on here with some ideas close to where you are

Thanks for the replies.

I know it will be a lot of work to find the right place, but am hoping that once this big decision is made everything will be much easier and more enjoyable after that!

Hi Clare,

I'm with you 100% about the lack of control over food and drink. I found that very fustrating, The only real way around it is to avoid the commerical wedding venues, find your own building and then get your own caterers. I had the most amazing piece of luck and now have a 500 year old barn, which I'm extremly happy about. Hopefully you can find something similar? I was seriously considering renting a field off of one of the farmers and just putting up a marquee, until I had my piece of luck.

I had my heart set on Tewin Bury for years before he finally asked me to marry him, it was a bit big for me, but may well be suitable for yourselves, but you may have the same problem with the food.

I did look at St Albans Registry (I am very close to Welwyn) and that looks like a very nice registry office. I did look at Hemel Hempstead Registry too, that has really nice grounds, but it was a bit far for me. I've virtually made my mind up now to get married at Hertford Castle. Watford, which is also near you, I've been to before for someone elses wedding. I didn't like personally.

Sammy

Thanks Sammy, I'm hoping to go and visit St Albans registry office soon and maybe the town hall too and think that getting out there and visiting venues will help us work out what we do and don't want. The castle/barn idea sounds fantastic, you must be so excited! Good luck with the rest of your planning.

Hi C,

The link below lists all the licenced venues in Hertfordshire hope that helps

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/comdirectory/register/marriages/where/bwedven3y/