What matters most is entirely subjective. For some couples, it’s the food. For others, it’s the view, the vibe, the number of people who can be there, or the fact that they can party until 2am without a sound limiter.
We’re not here to tell you what should matter. But after swooning over hundreds of venues and sharing countless real weddings over the last 10+ years, there are a few things that consistently come up. Things that might not be the most exciting part of the planning process, but will make everything easier: for you, your suppliers, and your guests. Which, let’s face it, makes for a better experience all round.
So where’s it worth focusing your time, energy (and yes, potentially a little more of your budget)? And what might you be able to compromise on? Let’s take a look.
If this one feels obvious, that’s because it is — but time and time again, it still gets overlooked.
Choosing a venue that’s difficult to get to or far away from any accommodation is a guaranteed headache for you and everyone else. If you can get ready on-site or within a short drive, believe us: that’s a huge win. And if you’re asking guests to travel a fair distance, or if there’s a gap between ceremony and reception locations, consider organising transport. No one wants to be navigating country lanes with a dodgy signal and a half-charged phone battery.
Remember, it’s not always about finding the “perfect” location. It’s about making the location you love work for the people you love.
Sure, your venue might technically hold 100, but should you really try to squeeze all 99 of your guests into the same room for dinner? Not if you want them to breathe, move, and actually enjoy the space. The same goes the other way – 40 guests in a room built for 120 can feel sparse, and the atmosphere might suffer.
When it comes to layout, we believe it matters just as much as capacity. Think about flow: from ceremony to drinks, from dinner to dancing. Ideally, it should feel seamless — no awkward transitions, no bottlenecks, no dead zones where guests disappear for half an hour and miss the speeches. Talk to your venue and ask how the space is typically used, what has worked well in the past, and what really hasn’t.
It’s also worth asking how the venue handles seasonal shifts or changes in weather. Is there a decent plan in place for rain, shade, and ventilation if it’s 30 degrees or higher? Can the ceremony move inside if needed, and still feel just as special? You don’t need to let the weather rule the decision, but knowing there’s a solid Plan B will save you a huge amount of stress later on.
This one is very personal.
You might fall for a venue because it’s already completely your vibe — and you barely need to touch it. Or you might find yourself considering one that’s in the right place, at the right price, with the right capacity… but the interiors aren’t quite you.
That’s when it gets a little tricky. Because yes, you can transform a space with lighting, flowers, fabric, and furniture. But that all takes time, money, and creative energy — and unless you really love the challenge, it might be worth choosing a venue that feels closer to your vision from the start.
You don’t need to find your “perfect match.” But you do want to feel something when you walk in. So, if you’re having to convince yourself you can “make it work,” it might be time to hit refresh on the venue search.
Budget chat isn’t sexy or glamorous (to most!) — but it is non-negotiable. Therefore, work out what you can afford to spend, and what you want to spend, from the outset. Those are often two very different things, FYI. From there, make decisions that align with your actual priorities, not what you think you should prioritise.
We know, we know – it’s easy to get swept up. Yes, the designer shoes are b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l — but if you’re more excited about a second round of wood-fired pizzas at 10pm, spend the money there. No judgment either way. Just ensure that the spending aligns with what matters most to you.
Packages exist for a reason — but that doesn’t mean they work for everyone. If you’re someone who wants to choose your own florist, create a culturally specific menu, or serve your wedding cake as dessert because that’s when it will actually get eaten, ask about flexibility.
More and more venues are offering tailored options. Some include recommended suppliers, others have exclusivity agreements, and a few give you total freedom (usually with more legwork involved). The key is to understand what’s on offer — and whether it fits how you want the day to feel.
Some venues are fully exclusive — no other events, no on-site guests, and no other couples waiting to check in as you check out. Others might have shared areas or host multiple weddings across the same weekend.
While this isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, it is something to be aware of — especially if privacy, peace, quiet, or uninterrupted use of the space really matters to you.
There are always other factors in play — accessibility, sustainability, noise restrictions, accommodation, logistics. Some will matter to you, some won’t. That’s the whole point.
What it all boils down to is choosing what feels right and letting go of the things that don’t. Because when you’re clear on your priorities, the rest of the wedding planning becomes so much easier — and ultimately, the day itself is far more likely to feel like you. Meaning you can ultimately settle into it with ease — and so can everyone else.