Location, Transport and Entertainment

Finding a venue is in our experience about the hardest bit. If you want a church wedding; half of your job is done as they are so often atmospheric and ancient. If you don't - don't despair! You can do so much on the internet (read: at work) - so you only need to visit those venues you are REALLY serious about (in fact we only saw one, and booked it, and it was perfect!). Check out registered venues in your chosen area on the General Register Office website (where you can search by postcode). Also, consider holding the wedding ceremony and the reception in the same place; cutting down on travel costs and traffic jam / bridal stress.

Ancient and Unusual Buildings

When choosing venues why not support historic buildings (often struggling to survive) - churches and chapels in use, old industrial buildngs, historic houses, town halls, small independent pubs and art galleries. Old buildings have their own unique atmosphere - magical - most importantly - leaving less for you to do! You can then decamp to a local hotel, with all the required creature comforts - or even hire in caterers yourself and hold the reception in your chosen venue. For a database of historic wedding venues try:

English Heritage

National Trust

or the Historic Houses Association website.

The National Trust and English Heritage are large, national organisations which nevertheless rely on the generosity and support of their members to keep them afloat: you can support their - and other charities' - work by getting married in one of their properties.

And while we are on the subject - did you know that VAT is payable on repairs to listed buildings but not on new build? This creates a dangerous incentive not to repair but to demolish the beauitiful and the ancient - add your name to the 10 Downing Street petition and help keep wedding venues atmospheric.

Economic Options

If you can't afford a flashy hotel - who cares! The main thing is that you love the person you are marrying; everything else is irrelevant. Really. We have been to some LOVELY weddings done simply at local venues. Can't find what you want? Try to persuade the owners of your favourite ancient pub or historic building to get a licence. The application must be made by them to the local authority and there is a fee but the process is straightforward, and wedding ceremonies might also prove a much-needed source of income for that bulding. Cater for guests in a local village or church hall (where, importantly, you can decorate to your own taste) and consider also inner-city bars Eg in the City of London (as opposed to the West End), many of which offer cheap hire rates at weekends to draw in trade. And you really don't have to cater for your guests if you can't afford it - hire or beg a room in a pub and have a cash bar for a party (better perhaps start this one late in the day...).

Country Retreat or Urban Spalsh?

Getting married in a town or city is ideal as public transport (usually) does your job for you. But don't feel guilty about taking people to out of the ways places and rural areas - you are giving valuable support to what might be struggling local economies. Encourage people to make a weekend of it; give them details of local attractions (historic houses, nature reserves, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and info. about where to stay (local farms, small B&Bs, many of which use local, sometimes organic, produce). Your guests will remember your wedding as a few days spent in a part of the country they would never have dreamed of visiting - or perhaps even known about - otherwise. Holidaying at home is one great way to help the planet and the British economy.

Are the ceremony and reception venue close to each other; or are you organising transport for people between the two, and home again? This is an excellent opportunity to cut fuel consumpton and emissions. Where possible give guests details of public transport so they can find their own way. However (as we know from experience) for a country wedding this simply isn't possible. (And why don't so many buses run in rural areas - surely there is more of a need?)

What about coach hire? Hiring one bus for everyone may be the best environmental option. But have you considered a horse and carriage? It may be a cliche but it has absolutely no environmental impact - go on, be daring! Lift sharing is another option; you could ask people to let you know on the invitations if they have a place in their car, and then give the lift-less their details. (Email is always handy here.) Are the venues close enough to walk to? You'd make a pretty procession that's for sure (but don't forget to ask the maids and ushers to bring umbrellas!).

Calculate your impact with the Carbon Neutral Company's online calculator (then you can offset by planting trees).

For info about green honeymoons...check out our GIFT LIST and honeymoon page.

The friendly people at Huntstile Organic Farm in Somerset have got it all worked out, from local organic food to courses in sausage-making, they can hold receptions in the medieval farmhouse for up to 50 guests, or in the farm garden events marquee for up to 100. We love their Rustic Weddings ideas; now who wouldn't want to be delivered to church on a tractor?

Back to Nature?

We love the idea of an open air party - a wedding festival! - and are really grateful to Andy Hope for letting us know about his Solar Powered venue! This marquee holds up to 1,000 people comes complete with lighting, PA system and an expert technical team. Check out the wonderfully-titled 'Croissant Neuf' Solar Powered Venue for more info.

We've also had an email from the people at Cafe Seren who run "An ethical licensed cafe, stage and cinema, powered by the wind and sun. Available for festivals, weddings, community and social events." - sounds just the ticket!