Planning any sized event comes with its own unique challenges and obstacles. One of the largest decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding is the venue. Your venue sets the tone for your big day, so it’s important you get it right. With so much to take into consideration, it can be quite overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to find the perfect place to say “I do”.
One thing that we try to emphasise to all our couples is the importance of deciding upon a budget, and then doing your best to stick to it. Your budget should be established before you properly start researching potential venues for your day. This doesn’t include Pinterest scrolling, which is most definitely still allowed. In all seriousness, budgeting really helps narrow down your options and prevents you from overspending. From here you can create a shortlist of realistic venues that you can afford.
If you have a specific date in mind, make sure you check the availability of your shortlisted venues. If you can, do your best to be flexible during this stage. You may find that your accommodation has a vacancy but your outside caters do not. This can cause some upset so, it’s important you check the availability of all your suppliers before you book anything. You may find that booking during an off-peak season or perhaps mid-week could save you money and increase the likelihood of your supplier availability aligning.
Here at Blackstock Country Estate, we have a team of in-house caterers who have all the talent in the world. Using only the finest ingredients, locally sourced where possible, the team will work with you to produce a bespoke menu to suit your taste, budget and theme. All this is complemented by the very best of service from our amazing front-of-house team. Having a venue with an in-house catering team eliminates the potential risk and stress of dates not matching.
One thing you need to remember is that it’s your wedding. If you fall in love with a venue and you believe it is the one for you then you shouldn’t change your mind to accommodate others. However, you may want to think about the location of your venue in relation to where your guests will be coming from. If the majority of your guests are travelling a fair distance to be at your wedding, consider a venue near a hotel or transportation hub.
Here at Blackstock Country Estate, we are fortunate enough to have a variety of luxury onsite accommodation. Nestled in the Sussex Countryside, our beautiful selection of cottages will make for the perfect location to house your close friends and family for the night. The cottages are only a short walk away from the dance floor, making the walk back to their beds that little bit easier.
Another thing you need to take into consideration is how many guests you’re inviting. This way you can choose a venue that will comfortably fit you and your loved ones.
Here at Blackstock Country Estate, we are licenced to hold wedding ceremonies for up to 120 guests. We have 2 beautifully restored barns, perfect for your special day. The Granary is a converted traditional barn, capable of seating guests for your wedding breakfast. The barn boasts a wealth of rustic features, including a sandstone floor and an exposed beam vaulted ceiling. The Tudor Barn features a wealth of ancient oak structural timbers, arching over a surprisingly expansive space which provides room for dining, dancing and all sorts of entertainment. Here your ceremony and evening celebrations will take place.
No two wedding venues are the same. Every venue will have things you love and that are done differently from others. It’s important you’ve decided on the overall style and aesthetic for your day. This way you can reflect on these choices in the venue. If you’re looking for a beach wedding then Blackstock Estate may not be the right option for you. However, if you’re anything like us, you would’ve always dreamt of marrying in a charming rustic venue in the heart of the beautiful countryside. If that’s the case then you might find that Blackstock Country Estate may be the perfect place to say “I do”.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule tours of your top picks. This is critical for an event as significant as your wedding, so you know how the venue feels. You can only get so much from photographs. In our opinion, you need to have a chance to see the space in person and get a sense of the atmosphere. This way you can decide whether it fits you and your partner’s needs and vision for the day.
Hopefully, the topics we’ve touched on in this blog will help you get started on finding the perfect place to say “I do”. We wish you all the best in the planning of your wedding.
If you have any questions about our beautiful Sussex venue and what we have to offer feel free to get in touch. We understand this may be a stressful time being in the midst of planning your wedding so we are more than willing to offer our opinion and help out wherever necessary. Give us a call on 01323 848 006 or fill out our contact form. A member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible, we look forward to hearing from you xx
