So you are now engaged and ready to start looking for Modern Wedding venues in Hertfordshire but have discovered there are so many things to consider first. Making your guest list and securing your venue is a great place to start as once your date is secure you can begin planning the theme for your big day. There are of course a number of different venue styles available around Hertfordshire such as barns, stately homes, castles, hotels and golf clubs and you need to choose the venue that reflects your personality and vision. This blog is focused on the things you may need to consider before choosing the location that is perfect for you. When you are newly engaged, sometimes the excitement can take over and you feel like you should start planning everything at once and it is possible you may make decisions in haste that you could end up regretting.
MODERN HERTFORDSHIRE WEDDING VENUE CONSIDERATIONS
Make your guest list
You may have had your dream venue in mind for a while. Possibly before you even got the ring! However, will your guests fill your chosen venue? Have you got a large guest list that won’t fit into your dream suite? Start by making your guest list and then you can instantly eliminate some options. Once you know your estimated number of guests, you can start searching for venues with the correct capacity.
Date availability
Many venues get booked up to 2 years in advance with the Summer period being the most popular. If you do nothing else in those first few weeks after getting engaged, check the availability of your chosen venue and put a deposit on it. If you have had your heart set on a particular venue, you would be devasted if it wasn’t available when you had planned. All venues have a wedding coordinator so it is worth booking an appointment with them so that you can have your questions answered and take a tour of potential venues.
Ceremony type
Are you planning on holding the ceremony in a church and then travelling to the venue or will you have a civil ceremony at the venue? This will help you decide on the location of your venue as you don’t want to be spending a long time travelling between a church and a venue.
Guest capacity
You will need to make sure that you choose a venue that can comfortably accommodate all of your guests. Are there rooms available if your guests choose to stay overnight and do they offer a discounted rate for your guests? Make sure you are clear about how the spaces work. For example, does the ceremony room needs converting into the wedding breakfast room? Where will your guests wait in the meantime? Is there enough space if there happens to rain on your wedding day?
Bridal Suite
What does the bridal suite look like? Imagine the space you will need to get ready with your bridesmaids and consider the fact that you will be having bridal preparation photographs taken in this room. Does the room meet your expectations for this? Will there be extra guest joining you in the evening and will the space accommodate these additional people?
Architecture
Many of the wedding venues around Hertfordshire are barns, country houses and manors. In this respect, the exterior can still appear traditional but with some venues being renovated inside, you will get a more modern and contemporary feel.
Exclusive use
Some venues have multiple suites available for weddings so it is possible that there could be another wedding taking place on the same day as yours. Many venues offer exclusive use meaning that you have access to the venue and the grounds without bumping into different wedding guests or even another bride! How do you feel about the possibility of bumping into another bride on YOUR big day or seeing guests that are attending a different wedding? Having exclusive use eliminates this risk and means you and your guests can wander freely around the venue and grounds.
Top 3 Modern Wedding Venues in Hertfordshire
In Hertfordshire, you can find some breathtaking buildings in which to hold your wedding. Whether your vision is a grand stately home, country manor, converted barn or hotel, you will certainly find a lot of options available to suit your theme. Many brides are looking for something a little different, that perhaps stands out from weddings they have been to before. It is quite possible that the venue you fall in love with is more traditional than you had planned but that’s OK. We will be featuring a blog on ‘How to have a modern wedding in a traditional venue,’ in the next few weeks. We will discuss how you can add contemporary touches to traditional venues so that you can have a modern wedding you have always dreamed of. We have found our top 3 modern wedding venues in Hertfordshire that suit different quantities of guests and are well located for your guests that might be travelling.
Located in St. Albans, Sopwell House is a beautiful Georgian country house with beautiful, clean architecture that will give you a lovely backdrop to plan your modern-themed wedding. There are different options for a smaller or larger wedding party and you receive a dedicated wedding planner to help you through the process. Sopwell House is licenced to hold a ceremony for up to 300 guests so this is a great option if you are planning on inviting lots of guests. With 128 rooms and various suites, you will have plenty of flexibility to plan something whether it is grand or intimate. The 12 acres of grounds mean that there is plenty of space for you and your guests and there is also an option for an outdoor ceremony. There is a spa with a swimming pool on-site if you were wanting to relax the day before/after your wedding.
The Grove, located in Watford is a luxury and contemporary choice for a wedding. There are a number of different suits to choose from with unique and quirky features that are sure to make a statement on your big day. Some of our favourite modern rooms include Amber, which is the largest room and a statement in pure glamour. Ivory which has a modern interior and opens up onto a private terrace and for something a little quirky, The Potting Shed which is filled with natural light and unique features. Some of the rooms are also dog-friendly so even your dog can enjoy your wedding day with you!
Offley Place is a luxury country house located in Great Offley, Hertfordshire. Whilst a traditional venue from the exterior, the Hestor ballroom which can accommodate up to 250 has a modern appeal with large glass windows and roof making it a fantastic choice for a modern wedding. You have the option to hire the venue for exclusive use and are assigned wedding planners to help you at every step of your wedding planning journey.
Hopefully, this has helped you a little with how to find Modern wedding venues in Hertfordshire and given you some idea about the venues that are available.
If you would like us to capture your wedding day, why not contact us to find out if your wedding date is available?
