WEDDINGS What now? Breathe...

Award winning Wedding Planner and venue stylist Paula Burns, helps you to take the anxiety out of your planning.

There are so many big decisions to make when planning a wedding and choosing a venue is by far the biggest one you will make.

Many couples cannot wait to start experiencing the grandeur of beautiful wedding spaces and imagining themselves right at the centre of things on their special day.

But as special as this experience is, there are many things to consider when making your visits and finally coming to a decision.

Providing you have done your homework, your visits should be narrowed down based on your budget, vision for your day and all of the things that are important to you.

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So for instance, if your budget is on the more conservative side, you may be inclined to explore package options, where everything is included. But be aware that these packages could be quite standard and may limit you. Or a blank canvas may be your preference, as this type of venue will allow you to bring in as little or as much as you desire. One thing you should be aware of if your do choose this option, is that you will be responsible for bringing everything together; this means additional work for you or your wedding party. That is of course if you don't have a wedding planner!

It's easy to get carried away with fairytale mansions & castles with acres of grounds, but prices will be on the higher side for these types of venues. These types of venues are ideal if outside space is a big factor for you.

My suggestion is not to rule out venues that aren't typically in the wedding bracket. These type of venues tend to be a lot more flexible in terms of what you are able to do, and give you the opportunity to put your own stamp on your day. Remember, what worked for someone else, won't necessarily work for you. Take some time to write a full list of all the activities you would like to take place as part of your experience. Then discuss this list in detail with the venues when you visit.

As more and more couples seek out the quirky & unusual, venue options continue to grow more and more every year, so never under estimate how long this process could take.

You will find so much more about how to choose a venue in my Ultimate Guide to Starting your Wedding Plans which you can download from the shop on my web site www.paulaburns.net. You will find information about venue types, pros & cons of each type, as well as how to stay on top of venue restrictions.

Until next time, enjoy your planning and... don't forget to breathe x