Tying the knot: Your complete guide to planning a wedding at Nottingham Venues
Choosing the perfect venue
First and foremost, one of the most important parts of planning a wedding is the location of your venue. It can be disheartening when you find the perfect venue but the location is miles away from your local area. That’s why it’s always important to look for venues that are in an area that is suitable for you, that are easily accessible, and that are not going to take hours to get to.
If you’re reading this blog, there is a large chance that you’re in or around the Nottingham area. We have you covered if you are looking for your perfect wedding venue in Nottingham. Take a look at our venues below to see how we can provide your dream wedding.
At Nottingham Venues there are two venues to choose from, the East Midlands Conference Centre, ideal for large weddings and then there’s The Trent Building, idyllic for smaller more traditional weddings.
Our Conference Centre is popular for multicultural weddings as the venue can hold up to 800 guests. Decorated to your taste, you can have full control of the set-up and kitchens, tailoring this space and making it your own. Our large banqueting suite backs onto a large garden, suitable for any outdoor celebrations or barbecues. There are lots of choices when it comes to this venue.
Our iconic Trent Building is a popular choice for alumni of the university. Its lakeside views and historic architecture are perfect for a more traditional setting. Step back in time with oak-panelled rooms that lead to the Great Hall, where a civil licence enables you to tie the knot. Relax and enjoy the serenity of the Senate Chamber for your wedding breakfast, where the boating lake can take photos—unforgettable memories in stunning scenery for your special day.
Planning and logistics
We all know there is a budget when it comes to planning a wedding and our team will help you manage this and keep you on track. There is a set fee for hiring each space. Depending on the date and time of year these prices can vary, however, we can help you budget in other areas of your day by recommending suppliers we work with.
We can help with table settings and work with you to find the best table plan to suit you, ensuring the guest list is managed and up to date. Although we are unable to help with the legalities and paperwork for your Nottingham wedding, we can help advise you on where to go if needed.
We understand the weather can be a significant factor when planning a wedding and that it doesn’t always go to plan. We will try and help where possible; luckily, both of our venues are inside with some outdoor space, so you don’t need to worry so much about it impacting your day.
Designing your dream wedding
There is no need to stress when it comes to planning your big day. We have event planners in-house to help with all the logistics and planning. They will advise you on preferred caterers, menu choices, suppliers, flower arrangements, lighting atmosphere and room layouts.
They will keep regular contact with you leading up to the big day to ensure things are arranged and on schedule. If you have any questions at any time, there will be one dedicated person handling your wedding, so you know exactly who to ask.
They are professionals who can give you all the information you need about the venues and make suggestions on how to make the space work for you.
Photography
After all the hard work planning your dream wedding you want to capture everything in its entirety. That’s why it’s important to look at hiring a photographer to capture every moment of your special day.
Look at gathering a couple of photographers and their portfolios before making a final decision, (unless you’re extremely lucky and already know a photographer personally). Have meetings with these photographers and tell them exactly what you want out of their work. Having meetings lets you get to know them on a personal level, and gives your gut instinct more room to work around.
Once you’ve made the final decision on photographers, sometimes it’s best to take a visit with the photographer to the wedding venue. You may wonder why but it gives them and yourself a good vision of possible photos and setups for large group shots.
Food & Drink
We have our chefs that work in the Conference centre for big events and at the Orchard Hotel (next door) and have lots of menus to choose from. Our menus include barbeques, afternoon teas, buffets and 3-course formal sit-down meals. We can even create bespoke menus to suit your taste. Should you wish, there is an option to rent out the kitchen and arrange for external suppliers to come and cater for you.
In the Trent Building, the University catering team has some delicious menus to choose from with different price points to suit any budget. With choices of a three-course fine dining wedding breakfast, a Carvey style menu, hot & cold buffets, or a fine dining selector.
Sustainability within your wedding
Choose eco-friendly vendors
When looking for vendors you can make sure that they prioritise sustainability. For example, florists who use locally sourced, seasonal flowers and caterers who choose organic and locally sourced produce. You can always ask your vendors about how they maintain sustainability with what they provide.
Minimising waste
It is always important to consider how the waste at your wedding can be reduced. In recent times, many people have opted to send out digital invitations instead of physical copies. This massively reduces the waste of paper etc. Also, consider renting your decorations instead of buying and throwing away materials. It’s also important that the venue you pick has bins placed in convenient locations to stop the chances of littering.
Tips for a smooth wedding experience
Your dedicated event planner will finalise everything with you a week before the big day, including timings, what to do if you need help on the day, any last-minute changes, and your guest list. Our top tip for having a smooth wedding is to be organised, talk to your event planner regularly, research suppliers and décor ideas and stay in the moment as much as possible on the actual day. It does go by in a flash!
Your wedding day at Nottingham Venues promises to be a magical experience filled with love, joy, and cherished memories. By following the steps and insights provided above, you will be well-prepared to plan and execute a seamless wedding that reflects both your style and the beauty of Nottingham University’s campus. As you embark on this remarkable journey, remember to embrace every moment and savour the journey towards becoming newlyweds in one of England’s most enchanting cities.
