There are a number of questions you need to ask yourselves. There may have to be compromises but let's start here:
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How many guests do you think you will have?
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Do you want the venue local to where you live?
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Do you want the venue close to the place you are having the ceremony?
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Is the ceremony to take place at the same venue as the reception?
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Do you want the venue to provide the catering?
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Is the setting important e.g. do you want extensive grounds for photographs?
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Do you want you and/or your guests to stay at the venue?
Once you have sat down and answered these questions, you have the main criteria to then judge potential venues against. The final criteria is of course, budget. You should have set a budget prior to asking these questions and now it it is time to see if that budget is realistic!
Remember that the budget is flexible and cost savings can be found.
Other options
These include:
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A small ceremony and a meal afterward followed by a large, more informal evening reception?
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Rather than have a sit down meal, would a hot buffet be equally welcome?
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Perhaps, instead of an evening reception, you might just want a large afternoon tea with plenty of sandwiches and cake!
