When to book your wedding venue
When to book your wedding venue - how far in advance do you really need?
When it comes to wedding planning, securing a venue is the decision that everyone tells you not to waste time on. If you’re picturing the dream outfit, the dream cake and (ideally) the dream groom, you won’t want to fall short at your venue choice because there’s no availability left. But how far in advance should you book a wedding venue? Can you still secure the perfect venue in a hurry? Read on to find out.
When to book your wedding venue
Booking the venue is usually the first step in wedding planning before making other arrangements. Most couples are advised to book their wedding venue at least a year in advance. Popular venues, or venues with special features, may have long waiting lists and as a result, get booked up at least 18 months in advance.
When you’ll need to book your wedding early
Peak season: If you’re planning a summer wedding, or have your eye on a particular bank holiday weekend, you’ll need to book in advance: these are the dates that get snapped up first.
Complex plans: Need more time to coordinate elaborate entertainment or work out when to book your wedding catering? You’ll want to have your venue booked early to coordinate arrival and set-up times- just remember to check your venue’s policies and restrictions before spending on wedding decorations.
What happens if you book your wedding venue at the last minute?
Booking your venue later in the day doesn’t have to spell disaster. There are some perks to booking your wedding venue last-minute:
- Many venues hold last-minute availability or open up dates due to cancellations. This means you could still secure your dream venue, but you’ve got to be willing to gamble on a spot opening up.
- Weekday or off-season weddings can help you book the perfect venue without heavy competition. Whilst planning around annual leave and babysitters might make things a bit more difficult, an off-season wedding is your best bet if you’ve left booking a wedding venue a bit late.
- Whilst your wedding venue choices may be more limited, a later booking will give you greater flexibility with dates. Planning in advance can be tricky, especially when trying to coordinate other people’s schedules. A later booking gives you a clearer view of the dates that work best for you and the wedding party.
Wedding venue booking by season
Spring Weddings (March – May)
Spring weddings are typically considered the best of both worlds. The weather can be bright and the blossom blooming, though you may still encounter the occasional rain cloud. But with Spring comes the promise of fresh flowers and lush green gardens- perfect for an outdoor wedding.
Top tips for booking a spring wedding:
- Check out venues with plenty of outdoor space, like gardens or parkland, but with indoor options to keep you safe from last-minute showers
- Find out which flowers are blooming in your venue so you can pick bridesmaid dresses and bouquets to match.
- Book 12-18 months in advance
Summer Weddings (June – August)
Summer is the peak wedding season, with Saturday weddings between June and August booked as far as two years in advance at some venues. Summer weddings are the best guarantee for good weather and maximum guest attendance.
Top tips for booking a summer wedding:
- Get in early: outdoor wedding venues will be quickly snapped up!
- Check out different venues: Unique wedding venues are often lesser-known than their more popular counterparts, but no less charming, and usually more affordable- even in peak months.
Autumn Weddings (September – November)
Autumn weddings have grown in popularity over recent years, especially as English summers have stretched on into late September. Sun or otherwise, the golden leaves and earlier sunsets are a romantic wedding venue backdrop.
Top tips for booking an autumn wedding:
- Plump for parkland: Pick a wedding venue with plenty of deciduous trees so that you can enjoy built-in confetti and autumnal picture backdrops.
- Dress for your venue: If you still want to enjoy an outdoor venue, consider a dress with sleeves to keep you warm on milder evenings.
Winter Weddings (December – February)
Winter weddings are a less popular choice, with the colder weather limiting your options for photographs outdoors. However, Winter weddings have their perks: an off-peak wedding means you don’t need to rush to book; some couples can secure dates as little as weeks to months in advance.
Top tips for booking a winter wedding:
- Check in with your guest list: Whilst Winter wedding venues tend to have a lot more flexibility (making it easier to book your chosen date), you’ll want to check that your nearest and dearest are available to attend.
- Look for venues with beautiful indoor spaces: Period architecture, high ceilings and grand exteriors create an unforgettable backdrop, no matter the weather.
Festival-style dance party
A festival-style engagement party brings a lively, high-energy atmosphere where you and your guests can relax and enjoy yourselves. This style of celebration works especially well for couples who love music, dancing, and spending time with friends.
Festival-style engagement party ideas:
- Street food stations or sharing platters
- DJ or live band
- Decorative lighting and colourful signage
- Open seating areas
Sunset drinks and canapes
For couples who prefer something elegant but understated, sunset drinks and canapés offer a beautiful way to celebrate. This format works particularly well if you’re planning an intimate wedding, as it focuses on conversation and shared moments rather than a large-scale party.
Sunset drinks engagement party inspo:
- Classic cocktails and light bites
- Soft evening lighting
- Intimate seating
Engagement party decoration ideas
Decorations can transform an engagement party. Simple design choices often have the greatest impact, especially when they reflect your personality or embody a certain theme.
Some popular engagement party decoration ideas include:
- Statement displays: Balloon arches, floral welcome signs, or neon “Just Engaged” signage
- Romantic lighting: Fairy lights and warm ambient lighting for added atmosphere
- Personalised touches: Custom cocktail menus, photo displays, or engagement storyboards
- Photo-worthy backdrops: Floral walls, decorative arches, or styled corners make a beautiful place to take photos together
Choosing a stylish venue can also provide built-in backdrops, where the space itself contributes to the overall look and feel of your celebration.
Choosing the perfect engagement party venue: what to look for
Finding the right venue for your celebration is important; you’ll want a space that feels welcoming and can be adapted to suit your needs. When searching for your dream engagement party venue, keep these features in mind:
Look for flexible event spaces
Venues that offer flexible layouts are particularly helpful: spaces that include both indoor and outdoor areas will give you the chance to explore different ideas for your celebration, from garden drinks receptions to lively indoor parties. This also makes it easier to adapt your plans to the season or the weather, meaning unexpected summer showers won’t dampen your mood.
Consider your guests
Your engagement is all about you, but if you want to celebrate with the people that matter most, you’ll need to consider your guests when planning your engagement party. Keep in mind practical details, like parking availability, convenient transport links, and easy access to the venue: this will help your guests focus on celebrating, rather than getting lost on the way! Venues that provide clear directions, accessible facilities, and nearby accommodation options are a great way to make sure your guests relax and enjoy the event from the moment they arrive.
Plan the atmosphere
The best engagement parties have guests moving between drinks, conversation, and music throughout. Choosing a venue that supports this kind of atmosphere will help your party flow naturally, and give you an idea of the vibe you’d like to have at your wedding. Don’t forget to ask your venue for local recommendations for DJs, musicians, and entertainers- this will make it easier to organise entertainment that suits your style.
Engagement party planning tips
Planning an engagement party doesn’t need to be complicated. Bear these simple tips in mind:
- Keep your guest list manageable: Engagement parties are an opportunity to celebrate with close family and friends, so a more intimate guest list helps simplify planning.
- Choose a simple format: Drinks, light food, and music provide a natural flow for guests to socialise and celebrate together.
- Plan your entertainment: A DJ, live musician, or activities like a photobooth are great ways to keep you and your guests entertained.
- Don’t overcomplicate it: The most important thing is that you and your loved ones have everything you need to celebrate together. Don’t spend too much time worrying about elaborate theming or complex plans- prioritise what makes you happy.
Host your engagement party at RMS Events
If you’re looking for engagement party venues in Hertfordshire, RMS Events offers a beautiful backdrop. From relaxed celebrations to stylish evening gatherings, we have versatile indoor and outdoor engagement party venue spaces, with flexible layouts that will allow you to create a celebration that’s truly unique to you.
We work with a trusted network of local providers, so we can help you bring your engagement party ideas to life. Whether you want to make the most of our stunning parkland or our classic Art Deco architecture, our team will help you to create an effortless and memorable event.
Recently engaged and looking for the perfect place to celebrate? Get in touch with our team to plan your engagement party or begin planning your wedding in an unforgettable, historic setting.