How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Venue

Not all wedding venues are created equal.

You could visit ten different spaces and feel completely different about each one - even if they look similar in photos. So what actually makes a venue great?

Here's what to look for beyond the pretty pictures.

Your Venue Defines Your Guest Experience

Think about your wedding from your guests' perspective:

Location and access: Is the venue easy to find? Is there parking? Will elderly guests or those with mobility issues be comfortable?

Accommodation: Will guests need to book hotels? Is there on-site accommodation? How far will they need to travel?

Weather backup: If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, what happens if it rains? Does the venue have a beautiful indoor option?

Facilities: Are there enough bathrooms? Is the bar easily accessible? Can guests move freely between ceremony and reception spaces?

Comfort: Is there heating or cooling? Covered areas? Comfortable seating?

A truly great venue thinks about all of this. When visiting potential venues, imagine yourself as a guest. Would you enjoy being here for 6+ hours?

At Leonards Hill Estate, we've thought through the guest experience carefully. Our on-site accommodation means no one needs to drive after celebrating. The Shed has a full cooling system and the Pavilion has fans for summer comfort. We have multiple covered areas for unpredictable weather. And our bar staff set up water stations throughout the day to keep everyone comfortable.

These details might seem small, but they're what turn a good wedding into a great one.

Couples at a summer wedding captured by Ada & Ivy Photography

Your Venue Can Make or Break Your Photos

Your photographer will work magic anywhere, but certain venues make their job easier - and your photos more stunning.

Natural light: Venues with large windows, outdoor ceremony options, and unobstructed sky create better photos than dark indoor spaces

Diverse backdrops: The best venues offer variety - gardens for portraits, architectural features for drama, intimate corners for candid moments

Golden hour access: Can you easily step outside during that magical hour before sunset when light is perfect?

Privacy: Will your photos include random tourists or other events in the background?

When researching venues in Daylesford or anywhere else, look at real wedding galleries shot at that venue. Do the photos make you swoon? That's your answer.

At Leonards Hill Estate, couples love our variety - ceremony under the Grand Tree, cocktail hour in The Shed, portraits throughout the gardens, and The Homestead for getting-ready photos. Multiple backdrops, all in one private location.

A March wedding couple captured by Ada & Ivy Photography

How to Choose the Right Venue

With all this in mind, here's how to approach your venue search:

1. Know Your Non-Negotiables

Before you visit a single venue, sit down with your partner and write out what you absolutely need:

• Guest capacity?

• Location or region?

• On-site accommodation?

• Indoor and outdoor options?

• Specific inclusions?

Be honest about what's a "must-have" versus "nice to have."

2. Set Your Venue Budget

Typically 30-40% of your total wedding budget goes to venue and catering combined. Work out what you can comfortably spend before you start visiting - it'll save you from falling in love with something out of reach.

3. Do Your Research

Search for venues in your preferred location and create a shortlist. Check real wedding galleries (not just styled shoots), read reviews, and look at Instagram tags to see real weddings at each venue.

4. Visit in Person

Photos lie. Always visit before booking. Walk the grounds, imagine your day unfolding in the space, picture your guests there. Ask all the questions:

• What's included in the hire fee?

• What are the payment terms?

• What happens if we need to postpone?

• Are there noise restrictions or curfews?

• How many events do you host per day/weekend?

5. Read the Contract Carefully

Don't just skim it. Understand exactly what you're committing to, what's included, and what costs extra.

6. Trust Your Gut

When you find the right venue, you'll know. It should feel exciting, not stressful. You should be able to picture your wedding day there. The team should feel like people you want to work with.

If you're having doubts, keep looking.

The Bottom Line

A great wedding venue isn't just beautiful - it's functional, comfortable, well-equipped, and run by people who genuinely care about your day.

It's a space that makes sense for your guest count, your style, and your budget. It's somewhere that feels special to you, not just somewhere that looks good on Instagram.

When you find it, you'll stop comparing it to other venues. You'll just know.

Ready to see if Leonards Hill Estate is your venue?

Come visit us. Walk the gardens, peek inside The Shed and The Pavilion, chat with our team. We'll show you around, answer all your questions, and help you imagine your day here. No pressure, just genuine conversation about your wedding vision.

Book a tour and let's see if we're the right fit.

Looking for the perfect wedding venue in Daylesford? Leonards Hill Estate offers stunning grounds, on-site accommodation, thoughtful inclusions, and a team that genuinely cares about making your day special.