Author: CharlotteS

When it comes to finding that perfect wedding venue, there’s a lot to consider, and it’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make on your wedding planning journey. 

To save you from the overwhelm, here are our top tips for finding somewhere that just feels right…

 

Honour your personal style

Does a luxury wedding venue feel right up your street, or are you a country pair who spend more time in Barbours than ball gowns? Whatever your personal style, finding a venue that feels right for you means choosing somewhere that reflects who you are as a couple. 

It’s helpful to work out a wedding vision together, based on your shared tastes, passions and even hobbies. The decor, architecture and local area all play a part in the feel of your wedding, and can set the tone for everything else – take a browse through Pinterest and look for some inspiration. 

 

Define your tribe

While making a guest list can be fraught with politics, it’s a helpful way to narrow down your potential pool of wedding venues. If you’re looking to throw a huge party, then a ballroom is a must – but if you’re after a more intimate affair, then why not look for a boutique wedding venue that feels like a home away from home.

Wedding memories made around the table can be some of the most cherished, so checking out the seating options at a venue can help you to get a feel for how the space will look when it’s full of your family and friends, and make sure there’s room for the layout that works best for you.

 

Location, location, location

Choosing a location that’s special to you can make your wedding venue feel extra meaningful – perhaps you spent a romantic weekend away at the coast, or you went for your first date at a cosy country pub? A venue that reflects your journey together can be a wonderful way to reminisce on how far you’ve come. 

If you’re looking for a separate reception venue to head to after your ceremony, making sure it’s close to a registry office or town hall can help your day to run all the more smoothly (after all, no one wants to be herding guests in a wedding dress!). 

 

Stay a while

We may be biased, but for us, a wedding venue which also offers accommodation is a fabulous way to help your guests really let their hair down. 

Booking a hotel wedding venue with plenty of room for your loved ones to stay gives everyone more time to dance the night away, less stress about taxis, and is perfect for guests with young children too. 

 

Make it special

Your relationship is unique, so your wedding venue should be too. Those little extra touches can go a long way, so ask your wedding venue how they can make your day a little less ordinary. 

After all, it’s a day you’ll remember forever, so why not go all out!

Here at The George in Rye, our optional extras include midnight munchies, port in the Sitting Room, pre-wedding pictures and a day-after brunch – all part of making your day as personal and memorable as possible.

 

Check the small print

It may not be romantic, but checking what’s included in your wedding venue package is an important part of finding the perfect spot for your big day. After all this planning, you want the day to be as stress-free as possible, so make sure your chosen venue is able to take care of all of the things you’d rather not have to worry about; from food and drink through to chairs and crockery. 

At The George in Rye, our wedding package includes a stay in the Bridal suite, a personalised three-course menu, canapes and drinks, as well as a dedicated Wedding Coordinator, a Master of Ceremonies and a one-to-one wine and menu tasting session with our Chef. 

 

Go with your gut

Ultimately, choosing a wedding venue is a bit like choosing a home – you can check out all of the practical elements, but in the end it’s about how it makes you feel. 

Make sure you book a guided tour of the venue you’re interested in, and see if you can envision your special day taking place there. If it feels right, then it probably is!

 

If you’re looking for a venue that feels like home, why not book a viewing at The George in Rye – we’d love to show you how we can add that extra bit of magic to your wedding day.

In our experience as a wedding venue with an on-site restaurant, one of the most enjoyable parts of the wedding planning process for our couples is undoubtedly choosing the food! With a special meal firmly at the heart of any big celebration, there’s a lot riding on picking the perfect dishes for your big day. 

Here are our top tips for getting it spot on…

 

Serve up a story

Your wedding food is one of the many ways to set the tone for your special day, as well as to incorporate elements of your personality and story as a couple. Perhaps you have special memories of freshly-caught seafood by the coast, or cosy nights in eating your favourite dessert by the fire… whatever makes a menu feel personal will help your wedding to feel that bit more ‘you’.

If you’re keeping things casual at your wedding, classically rustic dishes can provide that laid-back feel; or if you’d love a luxurious experience, then small plates and upmarket ingredients add a memorable touch of elegance. 

 

Consider your diners

Part of the fun of food is that we all experience taste differently! While it’s of the utmost importance that you love the food served at your wedding, you also want your guests to savour every bite just as much. 

Choosing dishes that you know will please their palates is part of making everyone feel welcome and loved, so thinking about who will be enjoying your wedding breakfast will help to choose a menu that everyone is delighted with.

Check your guestlist for any dietary requirements too, so that your menu makes vegans, vegetarians and those with allergies feel just as catered to. Incorporate a few child-friendly options keeps any younger guests happy, and lets the parents off the hook too.

The most well-planned wedding days tend to feature a regular interval for food; welcoming guests with canapes is a lovely way to tease what’s to come – as well as lining any hungry stomachs before the drinks are poured! 

 

Keep the drinks flowing

Your drinks menu should be crafted to complement your meals, keeping guests happy and hydrated at every part of your day. 

Here at The George, our standard wedding package includes cocktails for the arrival party the night before your wedding, as well as reception drinks, wine at the wedding breakfast, Chapel Down Brut Reserve for toasting, and teas and coffees to perk up anyone who may be flagging! 

 

Bon appétit

You wouldn’t book a wedding band without listening to them play first, so in our opinion, a tasting is just as essential.

Once you book a wedding package here at The George in Rye, we’ll arrange a private tasting experience with our Chef, who will walk you through your culinary choices. You’ll be able to select the perfect dishes without being hurried, and ask any questions you may have (as well as being treated to a thoroughly delicious feast!). 

 

Check what’s included 

Checking whether food is included in your wedding venue’s packages can be a key element in planning your wedding – a wedding venue with an on-site restaurant is generally best equipped to wow your guests with a fine dining experience.

With private dining in the Long Room, your guests will enjoy chef-prepared food from a personalised menu, as well as a wine list chosen by you. Our wedding packages include canapes and a three-course wedding breakfast.

 

Love the locals

At The George in Rye, we love delighting our wedding guests with seasonal and locally-sourced menus that they’ll be talking about for years to come. Honouring the seasons and working with local suppliers is part of what we do here – it means that you get to enjoy quality dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and your guests get to experience a taste of the Sussex coast. 

Some say that cooking is ‘love made visible’, so it’s an honour for us to add a little extra romance to your special day through thoughtfully-prepared dishes. 

 

Eat, drink and be married

If you’d like to find out more about booking a wedding or a reception meal at The George in Rye, we’d love to walk you through your options. 

Request a brochure today, or arrange a guided viewing to see why so many happy couples have chosen us for their special day.