You’ve booked your wedding venue viewing… now what?

You’ve Booked a Venue Viewing – And we can’t wait to meet you both but before we do, Here Are a Few Things to Think About Before Your Visit.

Booking a wedding venue viewing is exciting – it’s often the moment your wedding plans start to feel real. Before you arrive at any venue (including Upthorpe Wood), it helps to have a loose idea of what you’re looking for. You don’t need all the answers – just a few thoughts to guide the conversation and help you get the most from your visit. Just remember….This isn’t similar to buying a house, no need for straight faces, the more you give us, the more help we can be.

One of the first things we’ll ask at Upthorpe Wood is “which package are you considering?” Choose from 3 day weekend hire, day hire or 2 hr ceremony hire. All work completely differently so for us to give you the correct information, we’ll need to know your wedding package choice.

With three barns, a woodland glade, and the freedom to choose your own wedding suppliers, there are lots of ways your day can work. Having a rough idea of what you’re leaning towards helps us keep your viewing focused, relevant, and relaxed – without overcomplicating things.

It’s also worth thinking about what your ideal wedding day actually looks like: *Are you imagining something informal and flowing, or more structured and traditional? *An informal seated meal in the dining barn, or a laid-back picnic-style feast outdoors? *Would you like entertainment during the day as well as the evening – acoustic music, lawn games, DJs, or dancing under the stars?

*And are you planning a legal ceremony or a celebrant-led wedding in the woodland glade? There’s no right or wrong here – just what feels right for you.

Most importantly, ask us questions. A venue viewing should feel like a conversation. The more you share your ideas, thoughts, and even uncertainties, the more helpful we can be. The more you give us to work with, the better we can help you picture how your day could unfold at Upthorpe Wood.

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A Handy Viewing Checklist

Save this list or bring it with you to your viewing:

Your Wedding Style

• Do we see our day as informal or more traditional?

• Would we like a woodland ceremony or a barn ceremony?

• Do we want the day to feel relaxed and flowing, or more structured?

• Do we have an idea of which month or date we prefer?

Ceremony Options

• Would we prefer a legal ceremony here, or would we prefer a celebrant?

• What happens if the weather changes on the day?

• How does the woodland barn transition into the rest of the day?

Food & Drink

• Can we choose our own caterers?

• Would a seated meal, sharing feast, or picnic-style food work best here?

• Which would we prefer?

• How does the bar work, and what’s included?

The Flow of the Day

• How do the three barns work together across the day?

• Where do guests go between the ceremony, meal, and evening party?

• Can we use outdoor spaces during the evening?

Entertainment & Atmosphere

• Can we have live music during the day?

• What works well for daytime and nighttime entertainment?

• Logistics, how do these work in a woodland venue?

Personal Touches

• How much freedom do we have with styling and décor?

• Can we include things like memory tables, guest books, or games?

• Are there any restrictions we should be aware of?

End of the Night

• Where do we stay on the night of the wedding?

• How does the evening wind down?

• What time does the music and bar finish?

  
  

One Last Tip

Come with ideas, come with questions, and come exactly as you are. A viewing at Upthorpe Wood is about helping you decide if the space feels right for your ideal wedding day. As a DIY venue, your day can be as extravagant or simple as you wish!