How to choose the perfect venue for your wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most important in your life. Of course you want it to be perfect, but it’s not only your Big Day, but a day that all your family and friends are looking forward to. There is so much to arrange, but get the main ingredients right from the start, and all the other things will fall into place so you can focus on the fine detail that make a good day into a great day.

Traditionally the wedding ceremony was held in a church or registry office, with the Wedding Breakfast at a hotel or other hostelry. These days, more and more people are choosing to hold their wedding in castles, stately homes or historic buildings to really make it a day to remember for the rest of their lives.

But how do you choose the perfect location for your wedding, and how can you make sure the day is a triumphant success? We have a wealth of experience in holding memorable weddings at all the Chartridge venues, so perhaps we can help by highlighting some of the critical issues that will ensure your day is the success you’ve always dreamed about.


The Venue will create the atmosphere for the whole day. Modern contemporary buildings may be functional, but can never create that ambience that will make your Big Day very special. If you have deep pockets, then a magnificent historic castle takes some beating, but there are venues that offer individuality and style, but at a realistic cost. A former 14th Century Monastery, such as Hitchin Priory or an 18th Century stately home like Lydiard House provide a picturesque backdrop, yet are complemented by sympathetically designed modern facilities.

The Setting is just as important as the venue. A city centre location may be convenient, but a little research will uncover stylish, rural venues that are only a short journey from major metropolitan centres. Chartridge in Buckinghamshire and Hitchin Priory in Hertfordshire are only 40 minutes from Central London. Like stately Lydiard House in Swindon, they all provide a tranquil environment set in acres of lovingly tended beautiful gardens, freedom from traffic jams and loads of free parking. What better setting for those unforgettable photographs of your special day, and a perfect haven for those guests who want to take a peaceful stroll during the interludes throughout the day.

Accommodation should not only be suitable for a special occasion but be flexible. Apart from the safety aspect, there’s nothing worse that people crammed shoulder to shoulder in a small room. Equally, a more intimate gathering in a large, bare function room does little to add to the conviviality of the occasion. If the numbers fluctuate, make sure that the venue has the flexibility to cope. For example if you’re having a party in the evening for friends who didn’t attend the ceremony you’ll need a bigger room than for the Wedding Breakfast.

The décor can make a big difference. Of course flowers and covered chairs add style, but what about setting a theme for the day to make it different. The reception room can be decorated out in the style, and you could even invite your guests to dress accordingly. Personalising the day means everybody can join in the mood and make it a day they’ll always remember.

Some guests may have to travel long distances, so you want them to enjoy the occasion without being exhausted after a tiring journey. Make sure the venue has plenty of well appointed bedrooms on site they can book. Staying overnight also means your guests can drink to your future happiness with a glass or two of bubbly and not have to worry about driving, and you can even make it a relaxed weekend away for friends and family.

When it comes to the Wedding Breakfast do you want à la carte or table d’hôte? Is the chef open to discuss the menu and tailor it to what you would like or is there a set menu from which you cannot deviate? If you want a Wedding Breakfast to remember, Chartridge venues are renowned for their high quality cuisine. All our chefs are experienced in a wide range of cuisine styles, and are noted for superb presentation. We do have set menus, but our chefs also use flair to create individual dishes from locally sourced meats and fresh grown produce. Even the breads and gateaux are baked by hand on site to give that that really personal touch.

So you’ve booked a beautiful venue set in stunning grounds, agreed the menu, ordered the flowers and decorations, booked the photographer, and all those other little details that are so important. But the one thing that can completely ruin the day is poor service. That’s never a problem when you book a Chartridge venue for your wedding. You will have your own personal event manager, supported by a team of highly trained staff all of whom have wealth of experience managing weddings. We know how important your Wedding Day is, so let us take away the headaches and worries and do all the behind-the-scenes tasks that ensure everything will go smoothly on the day.

Whether you’ve booked Chartridge, Lydiard House or Hitchin Priory, you can rest assured that the venue will be charismatic, the setting delightful, the food superb, and the service impeccable so your Wedding Day is a resounding success and a memory you will treasure for the rest of your life.

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