Wedding venues

[purplefizz26]

Aibu to just turn up at potential venues (mainly hotels) we like the look of and ask to have a look around?
DP and I have taken a last minute extended bank hol weekend and have decided to spend some of it knuckling down trying to organise our wedding.
Obviously we havnt been able to make appointments etc, so are places likely to be fussy if we just turn up? We clearly wont expect guided tours and detailed discussions, maybe a brochure, price guide and a quick wander round by ourselves? Just to get a feel for the places!
We dont have much time away from the kids or work and just want to make use of this time off!
Any advice or tips anybody might have would be handy too!!

We always used to let people have a mooch round but we were a small hotel. Sometimes it's worth just giving a quick ring and asking as there may be weddings in progress if you go on the bank holiday- maybe not so much Tues/weds.

Not weddings, but I have organised other events and I always call in advance. The hotels would like the opportunity to put their best face on, plus if they already have a wedding on you might not get to view all the facilities and then you've wasted your time.

Hi hotel manager here. Go & have a look around & if your treated well unexpectedly then your guaranteed excellent service when you do book your appointment/wedding. That being said hotels are busy & you may not get the person you need to speak to or see everything you need to.

A general look around is great but stay open minded and don't just go by the web page. I've discovered some excellent venues despite their awful website.

The more hotels/venues you look around the better idea you'll get of what to ask/deals/unexpected ideas.

Yeah you can give it a go, just bear in mind that some rooms might be in use for other functions so you might not be able to view everything you'd like to - but if that happens anywhere you particularly like you could arrange another time to go back

Fab thanks guys!

Mine's on a farm next year, a proper working farm with tractors and a combine harvester (yes, I know they are often owned by farming groups not individual farmers) I will arrive by Combine, stick that in your limousine (tail)pipe and smoke it.

We've visited the venue, family and workers are super nice and they have close ties to the lady registrar. They have done a sampling menu for us just last Tuesday evening, strapping farm lads delivering a cracking array of goodies.

Wellies are likely to be necessary as it takes place in September and any rain is likely to lead to mud, but who cares, it's all part of the fun.

If you go in the morning they might be setting up for weddings etc so you get to see what it looks like.

If the wedding coordinator/sales team arent in, ask to speak to the Duty Manager - they will usually be able to establish which function rooms are in use/vacant, be able to show you some, know where the brochure is filed on the computer to print you a copy, and wohld usually be able to take your details and email them to the wedding co ordinator.