Choosing a venue is one of the most thrilling parts of planning your destination wedding in France! You get to see a variety of magical establishments, from grandiose vineyards to charming chateaux set deep into the countryside. While this process has its ups and downs and might make you stressed out, all the effort will be worth it since you’ll be celebrating your most significant moments in a place that has truly touched your heart.
However, amid your research, you’ll definitely notice that wedding venue inclusions and exclusions vary. This can make your decision much more challenging in the long run, especially if you’re planning your wedding from a distance. This is where we come in to help!
This guide will give you a detailed look into the most common French wedding venue inclusions and exclusions, covering services, amenities, and special considerations. Ultimately, you’ll know exactly what to expect when booking a venue, leading you to a seamless and memorable experience.
What Does a Wedding Venue Provide?
Not all wedding venues provide the same services and amenities, which is why they have fluctuating prices. Still, some inclusions can be found throughout all establishments.
Some of the essential wedding venue inclusions are basic amenities such as tables, chairs, basic table linens, podiums, and even lighting equipment. Naturally, all of these are subject to change if you plan on getting your own decor, but you can always count on them if you’re taking the simple route.
Additionally, all French wedding venues offer common services like event planning support and on-site coordination. Although it’s not the most preferred option, you can decide to plan your destination wedding in France on your own with a little help from your chosen venue. Note that this coordination only applies to your celebration day, meaning you won’t have any assistance before that. Of course, your venue will always be available for information and any kind of questions you have.
What is the difference between a dry hire and a wet hire?
When you’re sifting through wedding venues, you’ll probably notice that ‘dry hire’ and ‘wet hire’ get thrown a lot, often making couples confused about the difference between the two. So, let’s clear them up!
Dry-hire wedding venues are event spaces without any special services and amenities included. Think of this as a blank canvas – you have the freedom to paint it however you like. With this in mind, dry-hire venues are highly flexible and also cost-effective. Still, if you go for this option, you should know that you’re responsible for all other services, such as decor, catering, bartending, audio-visual equipment, and more.
What are the benefits of wet hire wedding venues?
On the other hand, wet-hire wedding venues are all-inclusive event spaces covering everything you need. They are considerably more practical and usually have predictable costs, meaning you’ll know exactly how much you pay for the provided services. Still, given their luxurious status, wet hire venues are much more expensive, and some couples may even find them limiting. Luckily, these event spaces often provide customizable packages, allowing you to bring vendors from the “outside”.
With this in mind, whether you decide to go for wet or dry-hire event spaces is completely up to you. Take note of the wedding venue inclusions for both options and go for the one that works best for you.
What is Usually Included in a French Wedding Venue Booking?
Interestingly enough, not only do wedding venue inclusions vary between different establishments, but they also differ between countries. Since you’re planning your big day in France, you’re most likely interested in what’s usually included in a venue booking.
Generally, some of the standard venue inclusions are the event space and basic setup (tables and chairs). Everything else, including the catering, photography, decor, etc., falls under your responsibility. In other words, you should hire your own vendors or choose the ones provided by the venue i.e. opt for a wet hire venue.
Key Features and Amenities to Look For in a French Wedding Venue
As you can imagine, the common French wedding venue inclusions are pretty basic and don’t even scratch the surface of the planning process, apart from providing an event space. Luckily, you rarely find venues with only these services and amenities. On the contrary, they are much more sophisticated and offer convenient add-ons. Here are some you should definitely keep an eye out for:
Catering facilities, parking, and restrooms are essential amenities, meaning your wedding is unimaginable without them. Think of the horror of not having a place where your guests (and yourself!) cannot relieve themselves! That said, all of these aspects should be ticked off when browsing wedding venues.
Do French wedding venues provide audio and lighting systems, or should I bring my own?
Then, you should consider additional amenities. For instance, not all venues are equipped with professional audio and lighting systems, meaning you’ll have to bring them in yourself. In this case, it’s best to consider venues that already feature these inclusions so you don’t have any additional costs. This also applies to the decor since you’ll have access to furnishings that perfectly fit the venue’s style. However, you’re also free to hire your own decorator and design the space as you see fit.
Unique Features of French Wedding Venues
What to Consider When Selecting a Venue for a French Destination Wedding
When the time comes for you to choose your wedding venue in France, you should consider certain aspects beyond style and availability.
Firstly, you’re planning a destination wedding in France, meaning your guests will fly into the country to celebrate with you. If you’re not hiring transport services for them, they should easily find your venue. With that in mind, ensure the location is accessible, but also scenic and possibly breathtaking. Fortunately, most venues are located in astounding settings, so you needn’t worry about this part.
Secondly, see whether your preferred venue features everything you’re looking for in terms of services and amenities. In addition, they should also comply with the local regulations, which is of utmost importance if you’re handling the planning all by yourself.
How do language barriers affect planning a destination wedding in France?
Most importantly, ensure that any language barriers are covered with your venue. This is one of the biggest challenges when planning a destination wedding in France, making the process twice as time-consuming. In these cases, you should always look for coordinators who are well-versed in English and will understand exactly what you’re asking for. Alternatively, opting for a wedding planner is the more convenient option, especially if you’re going local. Not only does language pose no problem for them, but they might even be able to snag you some VIP perks!
How French Wedding Venues Handle Accessibility Needs
When looking into wedding venue inclusions, you have to pay mind to accessibility needs, especially if some of your guests have limited accessibility. For instance, if the venue isn’t so easily navigable, provide buggies or wheelchairs so your guests can move without any issues. You should also consider ushers (if available) to make their experience as enjoyable as possible. Also, remember that not all disabilities are visible, such as those related to sight and hearing. If you have any guests who have vision problems, try placing them as near as possible so they can clearly see the celebration’s magic. On top of that, ask if your wedding venue can provide hearing aids for those who have auditive issues or even an interpreter.
However, all of these aspects should be covered as soon as possible. When you’re making the initial inquiry with your choice of wedding venues, ask whether they can cover all of these needs. Be sure to be as precise as possible to avoid any further issues in the long run. Naturally, if they can’t accommodate them, you should look into other options. Fortunately, most French wedding venues are very friendly for people with accessibility needs, so you most likely won’t run into any major obstacles.
What is Excluded in a French Wedding Venue Booking?
We’ve talked a great deal about wedding venue inclusions – now, let’s focus on the exclusions. As you’ve probably gathered, not all venues offer decorating services, specialized catering, and transportation. In some cases, you may even find venues that don’t feature state-of-the-art lighting, video, and audio equipment, so you should rent them. For that reason, we advise you to be as thorough as possible when inquiring about a certain venue. It’s important to know all the details from the start so you know how much of your budget goes into additional services.
While on the topic, note the additional costs that may come at the last moment. French weddings are known to last for hours, way past the venue’s curfew. In case your celebration runs for this long, you’ll need to cover overtime costs. That said, be sure to ask about the price, clarifying just how much you’re “allowed” to go overboard.
Common Special Considerations for French Wedding Venues
Lastly, wedding venue inclusions also cover special considerations, some of which we already mentioned. Accessibility needs are paramount, typically including ramps, elevators, and accommodations.
However, local regulations and venue restrictions must be taken into account as well. While weddings in the heart of Paris are truly magical, they come with noise restrictions since you can’t blast throughout the entire night. In contrast, venues in the countryside typically don’t have these restrictions due to their remote locations. With that said, if you’re dreaming of a celebration that will last late through the night, you already know what kind of venues you should keep an eye out for!
Why Understanding Wedding Venue inclusions and Exclusions is essential for a Stress-Free Booking Process
Understanding wedding venue inclusions and exclusions is pivotal for a seamless booking experience. By taking into account your and your guests’ needs, you’ll clearly know what kind of venues are suitable for you. When making your inquiries through the FrenchWeddingStyle directory, ensure you’re as detailed as possible to avoid unexpected and sometimes rather unpleasant surprises. In the meantime, browse our countless wedding venue options – the perfect one is waiting for you!
