Booking your wedding venue is arguably the biggest decision you’ll make following your engagement, so it’s something you should go into with your eyes wide open. There are so many factors to consider – location, capacity, ability for your guests to stay on site, and how you can style the space to suit your love story. That’s why we’ve stolen away the amazing team at Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel to get their insights into everything a couple should know before they book their wedding venue.
You might want to grab a pen and jot this all into your wedding folder now…
How far in advance
should you book your
wedding venue?
When it comes to your venue, the rule to remember is: The earlier the better. The more organised you are, the best chance of holding your wedding at your ideal location and at your ideal time of the year! At Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, most couples are booking 12 months in advance to secure their spot.
Not only is this a good rule to follow in relation to booking your venue, but also in relation to securing your other key wedding suppliers. Plus, it also means you can give your guests as much notice as possible – which is key if you have wedding party members flying in for your nuptials. The lead up to your wedding is such an exciting time and you want to prepare, experience and enjoy it along with your nearest and dearest. Not blink your eyes and the day is already there!
Is it better to
host your wedding
on the weekend
or a weekday?
Saturdays were once the key day of the week to hold your wedding – but that’s certainly changing! Thursday or Fridays are great days to consider as they are less busy in terms of members of the public being around in parklands, beaches and bays like the one Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel is set on – meaning your outdoor ceremony and photographs won’t feature any rogue beach-goers! Hosting your wedding on a weekday also means that parking is less of a struggle for your guests.
Other benefits of a weekday wedding include being able to book very in-demand suppliers (for example your wedding stylist, favourite caterer and band). You also then have all weekend to recover following your celebrations – which if you’re planning on an open bar, will be an absolute lifesaver for your hangover!
As weddings bring a wide network of family and friends together with most having some guests coming from overseas, the day of the week doesn’t really matter to those travelling. And for those seeking time off work, as soon as a ‘wedding’ is mentioned it’s a great excuse for a day off or a holiday! Many make their wedding a staycation anyway. Yes, more people are generally going to be available on a Saturday or Sunday, however with the nature of the workplace changing and flexible hours, your nearest and dearest will be able to make it work for your big day.
…wanting to book a weekday wedding at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel? Click on this text to head to their website.
What is the difference
between standing and
sitting capacity at a
wedding venue?
At Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, our seated capacity is 200 and standing capacity is 300. The concern with a lot of cocktail style weddings is will there be enough seating and will there be enough food? Our team can confidently say YES to both questions as we have a broad range of customised and styled furniture to provide many seating options, as well as extensive canapé and food-experience station options to entertain and feed your guests until the early hours of the morning!
Should you be aware
of a wedding venue’s
styling limitations?
Lucky for couples saying ‘I do’ at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, the beauty of the venue’s spaces are that they all have their own character and style. They are already dressed up beautifully with their own features, props and lighting that enhance the overall presentation and atmosphere of the venue. Not much needs to be added at all to dress up the venue – so you can save on your wedding styling budget! The venue is also a photographers dream with stunning location and backdrops around every corner.
We do always recommend though, that brides and grooms come to the venue to discuss with their Wedding Co-ordinator what their vision is for the day so that we can help bring it all to life!
Do wedding packages
help make your wedding
planning easier?
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel packages are all food & beverage inclusive, with complimentary bump in and bump out where we assist with set-up and pack down of your entire wedding festivities. Note: The bump in and bump out are often mammoth activities so we really recommend outsourcing this element of your big day! This element of inclusive wedding packages are worth their weight in gold purely to save you from stressing around the wedding.
The beauty of Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel packages is that they can also be bespoke and created in conjunction with any special requests the couple has. Your dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator is by your side throughout all the planning answering queries, pointing you in the right direction and giving advice. We also make sure we can provide the basic styling elements like tea lights, table numbers, menus and wishing well to assist in providing those essential elements. We provide packages for Ceremony, Pre-Reception, Reception and Recovery celebrations the next day. With also being a boutique hotel, you and your friends can make a real weekend out of your nuptials!
Should you book a
wedding planner associated
with your wedding venue?
Your Wedding Co-ordinator at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel plays huge a role in being your Wedding Planner!
Wedding stylists are a good resource for those clients that are interested in a more themed and styled wedding ceremony and reception. Wedding Stylists can take the headache out of sourcing the elements to bring your vision to life or even give you inspiration and ideas if you don’t know where to start.
By Katie Stow
Communication Manager of One Fine Day
//
Images all from Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel.
