Beginning the search for your perfect wedding venue 
can be overwhelming, but it helps if you have an idea of the type of venue you are looking for. What style of wedding do you want, and what season will you be marrying in? Do you need accommodation or are most of your guests local? Knowing the answer to these questions will help to determine the types of venue you should shortlist.
Here are four popular wedding venue types along with their pros and cons:
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Chic urban hotel
An upmarket hotel in the centre of a city is a great choice for elegant and sophisticated wedding receptions. Hotels venues are usually big enough to hold a large number of guests, and they are used to catering for extra guests arriving for the evening reception once the main wedding breakfast is over.
The facilities are usually good at a hotel, and in the centre of the city transport links will be good for guests that need to get home. There will also be onsite accommodation for you and your new hubby as well as any guests that want to stay over. Hotels make perfect wedding venues whatever the weather, and the reception rooms should be tastefully decorated.
The possible downsides of having a city hotel wedding are that you are unlikely to have exclusive use of the venue; as well as other residents there may be additional functions taking place. Food and drink are often relatively expensive, and noise restrictions will determine when the party has to end.
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Romantic stately home
For a whimsical, fairytale wedding, nothing beats the romance of a stately home. Often set in stunning scenery, this type of venue makes the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos, and the interior and furnishings will mean that little extra will be required in the way of wedding decorations. Stately homes are a superb choice for cosy winter weddings. Depending on the facilities at the venue, you may be able to use your own suppliers for catering.
Because stately homes are usually located out of town, guests will have to arrive by car, and unless the venue has accommodation, many will need to look for a local hotel. Stately home venues may not be able to cater for as many guests as hotels, and there may be some restrictions on photography, confetti throwing etc. Stately homes can be very expensive to hire, and may not have such good facilities as a hotel.
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Marquee in the garden
If you dream of a carefree outdoor wedding, surrounded by blossoming trees, a marquee in the garden could be the ideal choice for you. Marquees provide a blank canvas for your wedding theme, and can be arranged in any way you wish. You will have more flexibility with the catering, and alcohol will be cheaper without the corkage charge.
Spring is the best time for a marquee wedding, although they can also work in summer and autumn. In winter they require heating and flooring which can be costly. Whatever the season you will need to hire everything from the sound system to the toilets and you will have to transport everything to and from the site.
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Tropical beach
For the ultimate casual, fun wedding, a beach makes the perfect venue. You don’t have to spend hours on decorations, the natural beauty of the sea and sand will be enough. If you don’t live near the beach, you and your guests can combine a relaxing holiday with the wedding, and you can take a swim between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast.
Your catering options are limited on the beach, and unless you have an indoor venue as well, you may be restricted to an informal barbeque. Travelling to the beach, as well as accommodation when you get there, might prove too expensive for some of your guests, and if the weather is unseasonable you need to be sure you have somewhere to shelter.