How to choose the perfect wedding location in Switzerland A list of five key aspects that you should consider when choosing a location

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Finding the ideal wedding location isn’t always easy. To help you in your search, wedding portal Zankyou has compiled a list of five key aspects that you should consider when choosing a location.

Wedding decoration

Location

  • Geographical location and accessibility: Although many couples choose a location close to home, others decide to celebrate their wedding further afield, sometimes even abroad. Whatever location you choose, it must be easily accessible for all guests. It is much easier for guests to travel to the location if there are several different means of getting there. If this is not the case, you should consider whether it would be worth providing transport yourself.
  • Nearby accommodation: Wedding guests often come from far away. It is important that you organise or at least recommend accommodation for them. Contact a nearby hotel or other type of accommodation and, if possible, negotiate a special rate. It’s worth trying your luck, particularly if you are having your reception in a hotel.
  • The distance between the various event venues: Having your ceremony and reception at the same venue gives you one less thing to worry about. We would encourage all couples looking for two different locations to keep the distance between the event venues as short as possible. Always inform your guests about the distances involved and tell them how to get from one venue to the other.

Venue

  • Total area: What makes this location special? How big is it? How many rooms are available? Is there an outdoor area, such as a garden? Prepare your questions beforehand based on your wishes and expectations and ask them when you visit the venue. 
  • The outdoor and indoor area: View a number of rooms and visit different locations. This will help you to find the right venue for your wedding reception. Try to imagine where you would eat, dance and celebrate with your guests. You may need multiple rooms at a location to organise the perfect celebration.
  • The right location for your ceremony: If you’ve decided on a religious ceremony, then you probably already know which church, chapel or other location it’s going to be held in. If you are having a civil wedding, consider whether or not the ceremony and reception should be held at the same location. In the case of registry office weddings, for example, there are designated halls or gardens.
  • Alternatives if the weather is bad: Unfortunately, when it comes to weddings, the weather doesn’t always cooperate. A sudden downpour during a garden wedding can quickly ruin your big day. You’re therefore well advised to explore possible alternatives right from the outset and ask what would happen if it rains at an outdoor venue.
Fiore-di-pietra-wedding-2

Guests

  • Capacity: No matter how big or small the venue is, it’s important to find out whether there is a stipulated minimum and maximum number of guests. When visiting the location, discuss its suitability for the number of guests you are planning to have. Try to adapt the number of guests to suit the location rather than the other way around.
  • Cancellations: If you have already discussed guest numbers, you should find out what would happen if a number of guests cannot attend due to cancellation. Would you be refunded the money you paid for these guests?
  • Confirmation of wedding guest numbers: You should provide the exact number of guests to your wedding location as soon as possible. Early responses from guests help not only with table arrangements, but also for planning the food.
Wedding in our garden ,Grand Hotel Kronenhof

Extras

  • Consumption: Sometimes there are all-inclusive prices for drinks, sometimes not. Find out exactly what is included in the service charges and what may be added on – the key word here is corkage. Work out an approximate final cost and ask what additional services the locations offer and how these affect the price. The same applies to other items that you bring yourself, such as a cake or drinks.
  • Decoration and lighting: Does the location provide a decoration service or does this have to be organised? If the location provides a decoration service, can you also bring your own decorations? Are extra charges applied? You should also ask whether you can bring your own wedding planner, even if there is already a decoration and lighting service on site. It’s also good to know whether there are specific guidelines with regard to decoration and lighting.
  • Table arrangement: When setting up the tables and rooms for the celebration, make sure that you have a wide range of options for your seating arrangements. Every couple is unique – so too are their families and friends and the way in which they celebrate together. It should therefore be possible to create an arrangement that suits your specific needs.
  • Security: Want to avoid uninvited guests turning up at your wedding? Ask about a security service. If there is none available, ask if it is possible to organise one yourself. Security isn’t, of course, absolutely essential.
  • Parking: It is up to you to organise transport for your guests. You should, however, also look at options for public transport and parking spaces. If there isn’t enough parking available, you’ll need a Plan B.
  • Cancellation insurance: While it is only natural to be filled with optimism and anticipation when planning a wedding and to hope that everything will go according to plan, you should at the same time be aware of cancellation policies and consider taking out cancellation insurance if your costs are very high. You should always expect the unexpected and may find yourself with no choice but to cancel at the last minute. Should the worst happen, getting your money back would at least be some consolation.

Exclusivity

  • Multiple events: Find out whether there are any other events being held at the same time at your preferred location. This could potentially be a major issue. Discuss as a couple beforehand whether you would mind other celebrations taking place at your location at the same time.
  • Privacy: If you are sharing the location with another party, make sure that everyone knows the boundaries and that you and your guests have adequate privacy. A wedding is an intimate celebration that should not be disrupted by other events.
  • Curfew: Every location has a schedule, especially if there are multiple events taking place on the same day. You should therefore ask whether or not there is a curfew. Even if there is no curfew, it is worth considering and discussing in advance how long your celebration might go on for and what would happen if it runs over the agreed time.