Finding a wedding venue can be a daunting process, due to the very nature that the majority of hotels out there are having to diversify to compete and to raise profit margins. With that in mind, not every wedding reception venue will offer a beautiful surrounding nor the greatest catering. So, making personal visits to each potential wedding venue can be a time consuming process, as on some occasions some venues may need revisiting to get a feel for a place. I have compiled a wedding venue check list,;

1. Obviously, check from the outset that the wedding venue is available for your wedding date. No point dragging your partner around to venues if they're already booked out.
2. Will your wedding be the only wedding being held at the venue? After all, if you're looking to cut costs, it may be the case that you could share the wedding flowers being issued for another wedding.
3. Do they allow confetti to be thrown at the closing of the evening?
4. Is there an outside area for congregated smoking, or even a meeting point to watch a fireworks display?
5. Would the wedding venue allow the erection of a marquee?
6. Do they cater, or would you need to outsource the catering?
7. Can guests stay at the hotel and have breakfast supplied?
8. What would be the checkout time the next day?
9. What are the photographic locations like? I.e. do they have a grass bank to walk along or have nice looking building to photograph in front of.
10. The most important question for your check list, the costs? After all, it is your special day so costs won't be the intrinsic factor, but everyone has a budget!

With the check list in mind, I have scoured the internet and have experienced visits wedding venues, Northamptonshire of base for my sister's wedding and for my impending friends wedding.

The Hunting Lodge Hotel

The Hunting Lodge Hotel is a lovely hotel, that offers an "oasis of tranquillity" and truly is an ideal spot to have a wedding venue. Northamptonshire have many hotels that could offer the wedding venue functionality, with large corporate chains, 'The Hilton Hotel, 'Travelodge' and 'Premier Inn' that offer wedding functions yet don't offer personalisation and a truly welcoming experience. The Hunting Lodge Hotel truly offers all your need if you're after "wedding venues Northamptonshire".

Rockingham Castle

Rockingham Castle organise your wedding or reception with the emphasis on arranging the day that you want and not following a pre-set programme, flexibility is the key to achieving this. Civil wedding ceremonies & partnerships, with a maximum number of 100 guests (seated) can be held in the Great Hall and Panel Room between 10am and 6pm. If you are considering a church blessing, the beautiful Rockingham parish church, St Leonard's, stands in the castle grounds just a short walk away. Consent for the use of the church is by separate arrangement with the parish vicar.