Your Wedding Venue: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing It

Congratulations on your engagement! This is one of the most exciting moments of your life. You probably already have a thousand ideas running through your head, from the dress to the cake. But before diving into all those details, there's one decision that changes everything: the celebration venue.

Think about it carefully—your wedding venue isn't just a backdrop; it's the stage where the most important memories of your big day will be created. It defines the atmosphere, influences the budget, and determines much of the logistics. Choosing the perfect place can seem like a huge task, but don't worry! I'm here to help you, like a big sister who's been through this, to break down all the options so you can find that magical place that seems made just for you.

In this guide, we'll explore the pros and cons of the most popular venues, from the comfort of a hotel to the charm of a fairy-tale castle. I'll give you practical advice, talk about costs, and help you visualize what type of celebration fits best with your style. Ready? Let's find your dream venue!

Hotels: Comfort and Elegance All in One

Hotels are undoubtedly one of the most popular options for celebrating weddings, and it's easy to understand why. They offer a comprehensive solution that greatly simplifies planning.

Advantages:

• All-inclusive packages: Most hotels offer wedding packages that cover catering, staff, tables, linens, and sometimes even decoration. This reduces the number of vendors you need to coordinate.
• Guest accommodation: This is a huge advantage, especially if you have out-of-town guests. They can stay at the same venue as the celebration, avoiding transfers and worries.
• Experienced staff: Hotel wedding coordinators are used to organizing hundreds of events. Their experience is a lifesaver to ensure everything goes perfectly.
• Guaranteed Plan B: If you planned an outdoor ceremony and it rains, hotels always have elegant indoor halls and spaces ready to be your stress-free backup plan.

Disadvantages:

• Less exclusivity: Your wedding may not be the only event taking place at the hotel that day. You might run into other guests or conference attendees.
• Less customization: By offering closed packages, there may be less flexibility to customize details or hire external vendors, like your favorite caterer.
• More conventional aesthetic: While there are hotels with lots of character, many have more neutral and corporate decor, which can be limiting if you're looking for a very specific or rustic style.

Costs: The price varies greatly depending on the hotel category and city. A wedding package at a hotel can range from €80 to over €200 per guest. The great advantage is that the price is usually closed and clear from the beginning. If you'd like to learn more about budgeting this aspect, we recommend reading our guide on wedding cost per guest.

Estates and Farmhouses: Rustic Charm and Exclusivity

Estates, farmhouses, or haciendas have become the dream of many couples. They offer a rustic atmosphere, surrounded by nature, and a sense of exclusivity that's hard to match.

Advantages:

• Total privacy: On your wedding day, the estate is just for you and your guests. This exclusivity creates a much more intimate and personal atmosphere.
• Spectacular setting: They're usually surrounded by fields, vineyards, or beautiful gardens, offering an idyllic backdrop for photos and the ceremony.
• Flexibility: Many estates allow you to bring your own vendors (catering, decorators, etc.), giving you total control over your wedding's style and budget.
• Versatile spaces: They generally have outdoor areas for the ceremony or cocktail hour and indoor spaces, like halls with wooden beams or old wine cellars, for the banquet.

Disadvantages:

• More complex logistics: Since it's not "all-inclusive," you'll have to coordinate more vendors. This can mean more planning work (or the need to hire a wedding planner).
• Location: They're usually on the outskirts of cities, which means guests will need transportation. It's also important to think about nearby accommodation options.
• Plan B: Make sure the estate has an indoor space large and beautiful enough in case of bad weather. Sometimes, "Plan B" involves renting a tent, which means extra cost.

Costs: Renting an estate can cost from €3,000 to over €15,000, just for the space. On top of that, you need to add catering (which can range from €100 to €250 per person) and the rest of the vendors.

Castles and Palaces: A Fairy-Tale Wedding

Who hasn't dreamed at some point of getting married in a castle? It's the perfect option for couples looking for a romantic, majestic wedding straight out of a fairy tale.

Advantages:

• An unforgettable setting: It's impossible to deny the "wow" factor. A castle offers a historic and magical atmosphere that will leave your guests speechless.
• Dream photographs: Every corner, from the battlements to the stately halls, is a perfect setting for spectacular photos.
• Sense of exclusivity: Like estates, many castles offer exclusivity for your day.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: It's usually one of the most expensive options. The space rental, along with vendor requirements (they often have their own), can blow up the budget.
• Logistics and accessibility: Many castles are protected historic buildings, which can mean restrictions on decoration, music volume, or accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
• Remote location: They're often located in rural areas, which requires careful planning of transportation and accommodation for guests.

Costs: The rental can start at €6,000 and exceed €20,000, not including catering and other services. It's an option for more generous budgets.

Gardens and Outdoor Spaces: Freshness and Nature

If you're nature lovers, a wedding in a botanical garden, park, or natural space might be the ideal option. They offer a relaxed, fresh atmosphere full of life.

Advantages:

• Natural decoration: The beauty of the setting itself reduces the need for elaborate decoration. Flowers, trees, and the landscape are the stars.
• Relaxed atmosphere: Outdoor weddings tend to be more informal and fluid, allowing guests to move around and socialize more freely.
• Incredible light: Natural light is magical for photographs, especially during sunset (the famous "golden hour").

Disadvantages:

• Total weather dependency: Weather is the most unpredictable and stressful factor. You always, always need a solid, prepared Plan B, like an elegant tent or nearby hall. To learn more about the pros and cons of each option, check out our guide to indoor versus outdoor weddings.
• Service logistics: You'll need to rent absolutely everything: from chairs and tables to portable bathrooms, electrical generators, and kitchens for catering.
• Guest comfort: You have to think of everything: Will it be too hot or cold? Are there mosquitoes? Is the ground comfortable for walking in heels? It's important to anticipate details like umbrellas, fans, or blankets.

Costs: It can be deceptive. Although the space rental may be affordable, adding up the cost of all the necessary infrastructure (tent, furniture, etc.) can make the final budget similar to or even higher than an estate.

Beaches: The Romance of the Sea

Getting married with the sound of waves in the background is the dream of many bohemian and romantic couples. A beach wedding is synonymous with a relaxed atmosphere and unbeatable views.

Advantages:

• An unbeatable natural setting: The sea, sand, and sunset create a naturally romantic and photogenic setting.
• Laid-back atmosphere: It encourages a more relaxed dress code and a festive, vacation-like atmosphere.
• Less is more in decoration: With a good floral arch and some simple details, the landscape does the rest.

Disadvantages:

• Permits and logistics: You'll need municipal permits to hold a ceremony on a public beach. Plus, the logistics of getting all the furniture and equipment onto the sand is complex.
• Weather is a risk: Wind can be a major enemy (for hair, decoration, and sound), and heat can be uncomfortable for guests. And, of course, rain.
• Lack of privacy: If it's a public beach, prepare to have unexpected spectators.

Costs: Permits may be economical, but the logistics of setting up a beach wedding (transportation, tents, furniture) and specialized catering can significantly increase the cost.

Other Charming Venues for Your Wedding

Beyond the classics, there's a world of original possibilities:

• Charming restaurants: Ideal for intimate weddings. You guarantee high-quality gastronomy and a cozy atmosphere. The cost is usually per person, similar to a hotel.
• Wineries: If you're wine lovers, a winery is a unique venue. It offers a beautiful vineyard landscape and the opportunity to do a wine tasting as part of the celebration.
• Museums or art galleries: For more cultured couples, getting married surrounded by art is a sophisticated and original option. They usually have time and decoration restrictions.
• Private or social clubs: They offer exclusivity and often impeccable facilities (golf courses, sea views...). Access is usually limited to members or requires sponsorship, which can affect the guest list.

Comparative Table of Wedding Venues

Choose with Your Heart (and Your Head)

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the first major decisions you'll make as an engaged couple. My big sister advice is that, beyond trends, you choose a place that speaks about you, that reflects your story and your personality.

Make a list of your priorities: Is guest comfort more important, total customization, or having a stunning setting? Visit several venues, feel the energy of each one, and visualize yourselves there on your big day. Do you see yourselves saying "I do" in that garden? Dancing until dawn in that hall?

Don't be afraid to ask everything: about Plan B, about restrictions, about hidden costs. A good venue will give you confidence and peace of mind. And remember, there's no perfect venue, only the perfect venue for you.