So your knight in shining armour has proposed;  you have the biggest, shiniest diamond ring on your left ring finger – time for the big planning to begin!

Keep the following tips in mind when hunting for the perfect wedding venue:

1. A lot of wedding venues are already booked for months in advance – it is important to decide if you’ll be choosing your wedding date around the wedding venue… or choosing your wedding venue to suit your ideal wedding date. The latter option would of course not necessarily mean that you’ll be getting married at your first choice wedding venue!

2. Be sure to ask what the minimum and maximum numbers of guests are that can be accommodated at the venue. You do not want your intimate wedding party to get lost in a reception hall more suitable for a wedding party of 200 guests! Neither do you want your 200 guests to be cramped into a small reception hall with no room left for a dance floor…

3. When it comes to the basics, it’s very important to know exactly what is included in the venue hire and what not. For example, will the tables and chairs have table cloths and seat covers? Do they have seat covers in your preferred choice available? If not, what will the extra cost involved be?

4. Enquire about their staff versus guests ratio. Will there be enough waiters and barmen to cater for your wedding party? Once again, is this included in the venue hire or do you have to pay per staff member?

5. Who will be in charge of ensuring smooth running on your big day? Be sure to discuss your requirements with this individual(s). It is very important to feel comfortable with the person(s) managing the wedding venue.

6. A lot of venues have a “no candle” policy for the reception area.  If you’re dreaming of a wedding reception with a thousand flickering candles, be sure to enquire if it’s allowed!

7. If you’ll be using the venue’s sound system (the microphone and speakers in the chapel, or the sound system at the reception) ask the venue to have everything checked before the wedding.

8. If you have specific food or drink requirements, do not forget to discuss that with the wedding venue. If, for example, you know that your guests are more red wine people than whiskey people, be sure to mention that. That way your guest won’t be disappointed by a bar running out of stock.

9. Some venues have very strict cut off times. Make sure that you start your wedding ceremony early enough to accommodate this. The last thing you want is having to send your guests home while they’re still having the time of their lives!

10. Finally, if the bride will be getting ready at the venue, make sure that the room on offer is big enough (you don’t want the bride, mother of the bride, maid of honour, bridesmaids and photographer falling over one another!) and that it’s light enough to have the bride’s make-up and hair done properly. 

Article courtesy of For Ever After Bridal Directory (www.foreverafter.co.za) - where you will find everything from the day you get engaged, right through to your honeymoon!