Covid-19 Wedding Venue Viewing Guidelines

At various stages of the pandemic, show-rounds at wedding venues have been restricted government guidelines. Here's some guidance on getting the most from venue viewings during Covid restrictions.

Are venue viewings currently possible?

Even during total lockdowns, venue staff were creative, putting together video show-rounds and finding ways to open as soon as local and national restrictions allowed it. However, your venue may currently be affected by staffing shortages or having more than double the amount of weddings to fit into their schedule, so arranging a viewing is still a challenge at some venues.

If you would like to view a venue please consider the following:

Start online: look at picture galleries, reviews, and take a virtual tour if possible, so that you only view venues you really like. Lots of venues offer Live venue tours on Facebook, so check their social media to see if this is available too.

Only arrange an in-person viewing once you are confident the venue fulfils your needs. 

Avoiding travelling to the venue by public transport where possible, try to maintain two-metre social distancing and stay alert to risks.  

If visiting during periods of restriction or in winter months, remember that the venue may be lacking its usual atmosphere. 

Arranging a venue viewing

Email (rather than call) your venue to see if they are offering appointments. You can find email links to most UK venues online here.

Look online, watch video venue tours and speak to your venue to ensure that the venue is suitable for your needs. In-person viewings should be the last stage in the selection process, rather than at the start of short-listing.  

Minimise the number of people attending the viewing and only attend with members of your own household or just the two of you to ensure the safety of all. If you are wanting other people to join, such as a parent or sibling, check in advance if the venue is happy for these people to join the tour.

Remember to take pictures of the venue to be able to easily visualise the space after the tour. We also recommend asking if the team have measurements of the space so you minimise the need to visit again.

Attending a viewing

In line with government guidance, anyone experiencing coronavirus symptoms should be staying at home, to help prevent further spread of the disease. You should take extra precautions to keep yourself safe if you are in the high-risk category.

Travelling to and from your viewing

Wherever possible, use your own transport or walk. If you need to use public transport, arrange a viewing time outside of peak travel hours. Arrive on time; not earlier and not later. This allows the person showing you round to meet you on arrival.

What to take to the viewing

Take a list of questions so you get the most out of the viewing and to ensure you cover everything in one viewing. Take photos or videos so that you don’t need to come back again to check details and colour schemes. You will also want to bring your own tape measure if there are dimensions you want to check.

Wearing a face mask shows consideration to the venue staff and is required by law in some indoor settings. 

Remember

Be careful to follow social distancing measures carefully, keeping at least 2 metres from the person showing you around. Don’t touch anything, and if you do, wash your hands afterwards.

Use your imagination! If you are visiting while the venue is otherwise closed, your venue won’t have its usual atmosphere and may be lacking its usual sparkle. This is just a temporary state; it will come to life with the sounds, laughter and happiness of your guests on your wedding day.   

Sign up to our newsletter and follow Guides for Brides on Facebook and Instagram to receive regular COVID-19 updates.