Planning A Village Hall Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding in a village hall is a great way to save money and have creative control over your big day. However, it can also be a lot of work. You'll need to think about everything from the guest list and timings to the food and drink, as well as decorations. You'll also need to consider the location and whether there is enough accommodation nearby for your guests. It's a good idea to hire a helper for the day to take care of any problems that arise and to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Location: consider where your guests will stay and how they will get to and from the venue

When planning a village hall wedding, location is a key consideration. You'll need to think about where your guests will stay and how they will get to and from the venue. Are there enough hotels nearby for all your guests? If so, are those hotels wedding venues? If they are, and there's a wedding on the same day, you'll need to check if there will be rooms available as they often reserve them for wedding guests.

If your guests are staying in multiple locations, you might want to consider hiring a vintage bus to transport them to and from the venue. This could be a fun and unique way to ensure everyone arrives together and on time. However, if the village hall is in a remote location, this may be more challenging and you'll need to think about alternative transport options.

Another option is to hire the village hall for the entire weekend, allowing your guests to stay onsite. This can create a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, with guests able to mingle and celebrate over a longer period. It also eliminates the need for transport to and from the venue, making the logistics simpler.

Additionally, consider who will be your point of contact on the day for suppliers and coordinators. Unlike hotels, village halls typically don't have wedding planners, so it's essential to designate someone to oversee the setup and ensure everything runs smoothly. This could be a hired helper or a particularly organised friend or family member. By doing so, you can focus on enjoying your special day without worrying about the logistics.

Drinks: decide whether you want to provide drinks or allow guests to bring their own

Village halls are a great option for a wedding venue, as they allow you to choose the timings, guest numbers, food and drink, and pretty much everything else you want. However, most village halls don't have a wedding planner, so it's important to consider who will be the go-to person on the day for suppliers setting up and making sure everything runs smoothly.

Drinks are an important part of any wedding, and there are a few options to consider when planning a village hall wedding. One option is to allow guests to bring their own drinks, which can save you money on your bar bill and make for a cheap night all round. If you choose this option, make sure you have somewhere to keep the drinks cool. Another option is to hire a mobile cocktail or prosecco bar, which can add a touch of elegance to your wedding. If you do hire an outside bar, be sure to check their drinks prices in advance. Finding good outdoor caterers can be tricky, but it opens up a whole different avenue of food and drink options.

If you decide to provide drinks yourself, you'll need to consider what type of drinks you want to serve and how much you'll need. You may also want to set up a bar area in one of the side rooms of the village hall, if there is one. This can be a great way to create a dedicated space for guests to mingle and enjoy their drinks.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to provide drinks or allow guests to bring their own comes down to personal preference and budget. Consider the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that best fits your vision for your wedding day.

Catering: finding good outdoor caterers can be tricky, but it opens up a whole different avenue of food

One of the trickiest aspects of planning a village hall wedding is finding good outdoor caterers, but it also opens up a whole new world of food options. You can save a lot of money on your bar bill by allowing your guests to bring their own drinks, but you'll need to allocate somewhere to keep them cool. You could also hire a mobile cocktail or prosecco bar, but make sure you check their drinks prices beforehand.

When it comes to food, you can choose from a variety of outdoor caterers, from gourmet food trucks to local restaurants offering catering services. To find the right caterer, start by asking for recommendations from friends and family who have recently gotten married or attended a wedding with great food. You can also search online for caterers in your area, reading reviews and looking at photos of their previous work.

Once you've found a few potential caterers, it's important to schedule tastings to sample their food and ensure it meets your expectations. This is also a great opportunity to discuss your specific requirements and vision for the wedding menu. Be sure to ask about their experience with outdoor catering and what equipment they will need from you.

On the day of your wedding, it's a good idea to have someone on hand to meet suppliers as they arrive and direct the caterers to their setup location. This person can also answer any questions that may arise and ensure everything runs smoothly. You can hire a helper for the day or ask a particularly organised friend to take on this role as their wedding gift to you.

Decor: you'll have a lot more to think about, so make sure you have a plan for who is going to do it

Village hall weddings are a great opportunity to get creative with decor, but it's important to have a plan for who will be setting up and coordinating on the day.

One option is to hire a helper or wedding planner to oversee the setup and be a point of contact for suppliers. This person can ensure that tables are set up correctly, direct caterers, and answer any questions from florists. This will allow you to relax and enjoy your wedding day without having to worry about fielding phone calls or solving problems.

If you'd prefer to keep costs down, you can ask a friend or loved one to take on this role. You can also ask friends and family to help with the setup the day or night before the wedding. As a thank-you, you could host a picnic breakfast at the venue the morning after the wedding.

When it comes to decor, you'll need to think about flowers, table settings, and any other details that will transform the space. Consider whether you'll be able to set up the day before, or if there are perishable items that will need to be done on the day. Allocate these tasks to someone who isn't in the bridal party so they can focus on enjoying the day.

Finally, don't forget to plan for where drinks will be stored and served. You could hire a mobile cocktail or prosecco bar, or simply ask guests to bring their own drinks. If you go with the latter option, make sure there's somewhere to keep the drinks cool.

Helpers: hire someone or ask a friend to be on hand to meet suppliers, tell caterers where to set up, and answer questions

When planning a village hall wedding, it's important to remember that most village halls don't have a wedding planner or coordinator. This means that you'll need to consider who can be the go-to person on the day to meet suppliers, tell caterers where to set up, and answer questions.

You could hire a helper for the day to take care of these tasks. This person would be responsible for meeting suppliers as they arrive, telling caterers where to set up, and answering any questions that might arise. They can also ensure that tables are set up correctly and that everything runs smoothly. The last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day is fielding phone calls from suppliers or solving problems.

Alternatively, you could ask a friend to be your helper for the day. This could be a wedding present from an organised friend. You can also ask loved ones to help with set-up the night before, and thank them with a picnic breakfast at the venue the next morning.

If you're bringing in outside caterers, it's a good idea to check their drinks prices beforehand. You could also consider hiring a mobile cocktail or prosecco bar to add a special touch to your day.

Frequently asked questions