Are we going venue mad?!

This post will look at venues available for weddings, and look at which is better – traditional or unusual. After watching an episode of BBC 3’s ‘Don’t tell the bride’, I was surprised to discover the varied venues that were considered. In this particular instance (or moment of insanity), the groom picked Spelthorne Leisure Centre pool in Staines, planning an underwater wedding.

(Image taken from getsurrey.co.uk)

I think it’s fair to say that this was a day that the bride and groom and the guests would never forget, but does an unusual venue make an event any better? Or are we better off sticking to tradition?

Bowdin et al (2011) states that the event manager can ‘exploit the surroundings and characteristics of the venue to enhance the event experience’. This means that a successful events manager must be resourceful and make the most out of the venue.

Stylist magazine uncovered another weird and wonderful venue – The Treehouse.

(Image taken from stylist.co.uk)

This amazing treehouse is located in Scotland overlooking Loch Goil. It accommodates 24 people for intimate wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships. Definitely different, but it seems to me like more of a childrens fantasy then a serious wedding venue. The bride and groom would have to compromise on numbers if they decided on a venue like this with such a small capacity. However this venue is only for the actual ceremony not the wedding reception so more guests could come later in the day.

Goldblatt (2008) emphasised the importance of the entrance and reception area of an event in establishing the event theme. Although Goldblatt was not directly referring to weddings, this thought process is still applicable. In my mind a wedding should be a traditional and classy event, and not an excuse to hire out a crazy venue! Although the guests would obviously know they were at a wedding, but the theme of the venue can set the tone of the day. For example bridal website rebelliousbrides.com gives advice on how to put on a Moulin Rouge themed wedding, and in my opinion thats an amazing theme for a birthday, but definitely not for a wedding.

(Image taken from lisaludesigns.com)

However wedding website forbetterforworse.co.uk sells this experience by claiming that your wedding day is special anyway so why not opt for a more unusual venue to make the day ‘bigger and more special’. I suppose it all comes down to the happy couple and their personalities.

Another side of this debate is cost. The fact that traditional venues such as Sudeley Castle in the Cotswold Hills do not disclose the price unless you enquire tells you that it will be pricey. Although if you have money to splash then it looks well worth it.

(Image taken from weddingvenueprices.com)

Maybe the wedding industry is simply establishing itself in the 21st century, or maybe couples are getting more adventurous, either way it seems that the new trend is to wed in the most unusual venue possible. Personally I would rather stick to tradition, but you never know what they will come up with next!