You’ve Chosen Your Wedding Venue—Here’s What to Do Next

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the biggest milestones in the entire planning process. It’s the moment everything starts to feel real. But once the venue is booked… what comes next?

Whether your wedding is in 6 weeks or 2 years, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to keep your planning on track and stress-free.

1. Finalise Your Wedding Date and Timeline

Most couples choose the date when they book their venue, but now is the time to confirm the details.

✔ Ceremony time

✔ Reception start and end time

✔ Access times for suppliers

✔ Any venue restrictions or requirements

A solid timeline helps every other supplier plan properly. We will sit down with you when you book to discuss all of these timings and everything will be in your contract. We'll then sit down with you two months before your Wedding to discuss final details...exciting!

2. Set Your Budget

With your venue cost locked in, your remaining budget becomes much clearer.

Now allocate funds for the other major categories:

Catering (yum!)

Photography & videography

Floristry

Music & entertainment

Attire

Venue Decor

Transport if you need it

Hair & makeup

Cake

Stationery

Your budget is your roadmap—update it early to avoid surprises later.

3. Book the Key Suppliers First

The most in-demand suppliers can book out 12–24 months in advance. After booking us, prioritise:

Photographer & Videographer

Celebrant/Registrar/Officiant

Band / DJ / Live Music

Venue Dresser / Florist

4. Start Your Guest List and Send Save the Dates

Now that you know your venue’s capacity, finalise your guest list.

Then send Save the Dates, particularly if:

You’re marrying in peak season

Guests will be travelling

You’re planning a weekday or destination wedding

This ensures people block out your date early.

5. Plan Your Decor & Style

With the venue chosen, you can define your theme more clearly:

Colour palette

Floral style

Ceremony setup

Table decor

Lighting (fairy lights, candles, uplighting, lanterns)

Signage and stationery styling

This is also the time to create mood boards to share with suppliers.

6. Buy Your Wedding Attire

Wedding dresses often take 6–12 months to order and fit.

Grooms’ and wedding party outfits also need time for shopping and alterations.

Start early to avoid rush fees and stress.

7. Arrange Accommodation and Transport

If your guests are travelling to Knutsford and intend to stay, you need to book:

Rooms for yourselves

Hotel blocks for guests

Shuttle buses or transport

This is also when you’ll plan how you’re getting to the venue on the day.

8. Build Your Wedding Website (Optional)

A website makes life easier for everyone:

RSVP portal

Travel info

Accommodation options

Schedule

Dress code

FAQ

Gift list

It cuts down on repetitive messages and keeps guests well-informed.

9. Meet With Our Team

Once you’ve booked major suppliers, schedule a planning meeting approximately two months before your big day to review:

Table layout

Ceremony spaces

Menu / Drinks packages

Supplier access times

On-the-day schedule

Any restrictions (candles, confetti, noise limits)

This ensures everything is aligned well in advance.

10. Keep Everything Organised

From now on, use:

A digital planning spreadsheet

A shared folder for contracts

A checklist of deadlines

A Pinterest board or mood boards

Organisation = calmness in the months ahead.

Final Thoughts

Choosing us as your venue is the first big “yes”—after that, the pieces start falling into place. By securing your key suppliers early and building out your timeline, you set yourself up for a smooth, enjoyable planning journey.

And remember, we are experts at what we do, our job is to ensure your day goes without a hitch (excuse the pun)! If you need help, recommendations or simply need us to calm you down in the build up...we are always on the end of an email or on our socials.

One big top tip...once you've booked in, come to any Open Days we may have, that way you can see the barn dressed and get some ideas!

Just remember, this is going to be the best day of your life and it's about you two. Take your time and enjoy it, all of it.