The City Vs. The Country – Where Should You Have Your Wedding?
Emily & Matt at Euridge Manor – Rebecca Searle Photography
Your wedding day should be one of the most special days of your life, no matter where you choose to host your celebration. Despite this fact, there are some locations that will lend themselves to your vision better than others, whether that means having a grand, opulent wedding on a country estate, or a chic, intimate elopement in a city hall.
Finding it tricky to settle on a location? Here are a few things to consider when deciding between a city or country wedding.
The Venue
Whether you’re leaning more towards the city or country, there are a great many different kinds of venues to choose from. Think about the scenery you envision for your wedding ceremony and reception. Perhaps you dream of saying “I do” with a striking mountain backdrop, or with a view of a vast, serene ocean. Alternatively, you might favour extravagant architecture, in which case a cultural landmark in the city might be the perfect location for your nuptials. Consider the desired atmosphere you want to create at your wedding to discern which destination is right for you.
Some couples find that a countryside venue is more accessible for their guests. A city venue may be more compact or spread over multiple floors, which can feel troublesome for young children and older relatives to navigate. At a countryside venue, you tend to have lots of space that you’re free to make use of as you wish. Just remember to consider the time of year that you’re getting married – a big outdoor space might work well in the summer, but you may find the warmth of a city hotel more inviting in the colder months.
Transportation
Consider which venue is easiest for your guests to get to. If minimising the carbon footprint of your wedding is important to you, you’ll want to consider how far your guests will have to travel to reach your location, as well as the transport links available. If you’re having a city wedding, the majority of your guests will be able to hop on a bus or catch a train, which can make your day considerably more sustainable.
Similarly, what do the transport options look like for your suppliers? If the majority are city-based, it may make more sense to host your wedding nearby and forgo the extra transport costs. Alternatively, countryside weddings can easily make use of stunning items from local artisan craftsmen, eliminating the need for long-distance transportation – think stunning wildflower bouquets for a rustic barn wedding, or painted seashells and pebbles for an ocean-inspired celebration.
Your Budget
City venues are generally more pricey than countryside ones. However, how much you spend will depend on the size of your wedding and how lavish you want your venue to be.
For a large wedding with all the bells and whistles, a countryside location will allow you plenty of room to bring your vision to life, at potentially a fraction of the price of a city location. On the other hand, micro weddings and elopements are more affordable options that can be beautifully executed both in the countryside and the city. Hoping to go all out on something luxurious for your special day? There are endless grand city venues for ambitious couples to choose from.
Don’t forget that your wedding location should be one that feels special to you as a couple. Once you’ve figured out your budget, shop around for the venues and suppliers that might suit your needs both in the city and out in the country – you may just stumble across the perfect venue that feels right for you.