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A Belvilla holiday is different from others. For instance large groups can also rent a holiday home and have a fantastic stay in a castle or a farm. We even offer boats moored in the most beautiful ports and canals in the Netherlands. Do you want to stay on a private island with your own small boat at your disposal? No problem and it's even affordable!
likely to be two parts of your wedding to organise – the wedding ceremony and the wedding reception. As regards the ceremony, a church wedding is still the favourite choice for many couples, and most have a particular church in mind. In this case, the reception must be planned around the ceremony location. Factors such as ease of transport from service to reception will be important when planning your church wedding.
If, on the other hand, you're thinking about a civil wedding, you have the option of choosing a venue that will host both your wedding ceremony and your wedding reception. If this is what you are hoping for, you will need to choose a venue that is licensed for marriage ceremonies. This may come with a higher price tag than non-licensed wedding venues, but has the benefit of minimising the amount of travelling involved for you and your wedding guests.
How many guests?
The type of wedding you have will depend partly on how big it will be, so here are some things to think about before approaching wedding venues:
Venue capacity: It may sound obvious but many venues will not be able to magic up extra space from nowhere if you add 20 extra guests at the last minute. You should have a good idea of numbers before you start looking at venues.
Seated or standing wedding reception? A formal meal will obviously require more space than a stand-up buffet, so a venue whose seated capacity is 100 might well be able to accommodate 200 for a canapé reception. Which do you want?
Entertainment facilities: Bands and other entertainment can take up a large amount of space, as can a dance floor, so decide when and where you want the entertainment to take place, and check with the venue that this can be done in the space available.
Which wedding venue?
Any number of buildings can make a perfect wedding reception venue, but here are some of the most popular options:
Historic wedding reception venue. Castles, country houses and stately homes are among the locations many dream of for their big day. If your budget can stretch to it, this offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the use of a stunning building.
Hotel wedding reception. There are so many different types of hotel that there’s likely to be something for everyone, from traditional to ultra-modern. Having accommodation on the spot is, of course, a big plus.
Marquee wedding reception. If you have access to spacious gardens or other outdoor space, a marquee could be worth considering. Many people are surprised at how pricey it can be to hire a marquee for their wedding, but the plus side is that you can take control of wedding catering and could save a considerable amount by providing your own alcohol.
Sports or social club wedding reception. Different types of club premises can be perfect for a wedding reception. Do plenty of research and you could find one that’s in a stunning location, too. For example, some sailing or rowing clubs have picturesque waterside views, and can often be hired at a reasonable price, certainly compared to other popular wedding venues.
Restaurant or pub wedding reception. Food and drink are among the main ingredients for a successful wedding reception, so where better to head than to a lovely restaurant or pub? Bear in mind that you’re more likely to find a good match if your wedding party is smaller, and if you’re lucky you might even be able to escape the heavy costs that are often quoted as soon as you mention the ‘w’ word!
Wedding venue checklist
Before signing on the dotted line, check the detail and small print.
Wedding fees. Exaggerated costs, such as a hefty corkage fee or drinks prices, might mean compromising on other aspects of the wedding. Vote with your feet if you feel it’s not worth it.
Wedding venue staff. Are the staff experienced and professional? Flexibility is also important. Are they willing to adapt to your needs? This will be a major factor in how smoothly your day runs.
Wedding venue facilities. Is the venue suitable for guests with a disability, and can it provide appropriate seating for the elderly and/or young children?
Wedding guest accommodation. Is there a reasonable range of accommodation within easy access of the venue? When you set up a free wedding website with Wedding Path, it includes a useful Wedding Map Page that tells you – and your wedding guests – about available accommodation near your wedding venue.
Wedding transport. Is there enough parking for guests who drive, and decent transport links for those who don’t?
Wedding venue restrictions. Does the venue impose limitations that could negatively affect your plans? Some stipulate no loud music after a certain time, others don’t like confetti or candles, and certain (usually historic) venues forbid high-heeled shoes for fear of their flooring being damaged.
Wedding photography. Plenty of natural light in your venue will mean better pictures. You might also want to check that there are plenty of appealing outdoor spots close at hand. For advice on choosing a photographer who will make the most of your wedding venue, read this useful Wedding photography article.
Wedding decoration. Are table linen, flowers, place cards and other decorations included in the quoted price, or will you have to provide your own?
Wedding extras. Check the availability of extras such as a cake stand and cake knife. Many wedding venues will lend you these, but having to hire them separately adds to your hassle and your wedding expenses.
Will you find the right entertainment by hiring the one that answers the phone first or the one that has the lowest price or would you select one just because they live in your hometown? These are actually several things you should consider before selecting your entertainer:
1.Is the entertainer experienced in providing services for your event type? This question can't just be answered in a yes or no question either. You'll want someone who knows the ropes. How much experience do you want your entertainer to have? Consider getting a list of references from previous clients.
2.Who will actually be the entertainer at your event? Often times with larger multi-operational companies you won't actually know who your entertainer is until that night. Is this something you're willing to accept? Always ask this question when shopping for entertainment and make sure it's laid out clear and concise in your contract.
3.What type of equipment do you deserve to have at your event? Imagine not being able to understand announcements or even worse hearing a hiss or buzz during your event. Imagine having part of your beautifully decorated event contain an eyesore of wires and beat up equipment. Another important face is just because an entertainer charges top dollar doesn't always mean they'll bring top dollar equipment to your event. Getting a picture of their setup is a must!
4.What additional services are included other than just playing music
? Will you need a master of ceremonies (emcee) at your event, a coordinator, or even someone to interact and participate with your crowd? Is your entertainer willing to step up to the plate and deliver those services? These can be important things to ask before your event. You'd hate to hire an entertainer who can't entertain.
5.Is your entertainer and elegant public speaker? Do they speak in complete sentences without stuttering and using um and uh? Public speaking is said to be one of the number one fears in the United States. If someone isn't good at speaking in person odds are they won't be able to speak in front of your crowd. This is a very important aspect of the entertainer can be over looked.
6.Is backup equipment provided and immediately available? As you know all electronics are man-made and with all man-made products they can fail. So it's important that your entertainer have not only backup equipment but also a backup plan. Ask your entertainer for their backup plan.
7.What happens if the entertainer is ill or otherwise cannot attend your event? These details should be laid out in a written contract form with EVERY service provider. Always lay these things out prior to your event to prevent any situations later on.
8.Is your entertainer insured? Every legitimate business has insurance. This may not seem important upfront, but heaven forbid something were to happen at your event. Are you willing to hire an entertainer without it? Ask your entertainer for his proof of property AND liability insurance.
9.Are there any hidden additional charges or expected necessities from your entertainer? For example, are you required to pay a service charge for stairs at the reception hall? Or are you required to pay for their dinner? Will they need to take smoke breaks? If you're entertainer doesn't cover these issues in their sales pitch perhaps you should ask them.
10.How much input will you be able to give on your music selection? This can also be a very important question when you're shopping for entertainment. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences when it comes to music. Will your entertainer be able to cater to those tastes or will they stick to their own routine. Also does your entertainer offer online music planning?
With so much riding on the success of your event your entertainment should never be over looked. There should be several factors that come into play rather than just price when shopping for your wedding entertainment. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions as the entertainment will have a direct impact on the entire success of your reception.
Some people plan their whole day around their dream wedding location, while others start with a blank page. Either way, choosing your wedding venue is one of the most important wedding planning decisions you'll make.
Reception & ceremony
The first thing to take into account when choosing a wedding location is that there are
