At least one year before the big day: that’s how early you need to start looking into what is perhaps the most important of all the countless things you have to think about when you’re planning a wedding, i.e. the location. It’s the most important aspect not only because it has an impact on the success, atmosphere and style of the event, but also because it’s the biggest expense so it takes up a sizeable chunk of the budget.
Therefore, if you don’t already have your eyes on a specific location where you’ve always dreamed of celebrating your wedding, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your requirements, ask for some quotes and begin to book tours of potential venues that you’ve picked out.
This short guide will help you to get your ideas in order and narrow down the vast number of options before you, so that looking for a location doesn’t turn into an odyssey.
Grab a pen and some paper and start jotting down your needs in the following fields:
Many people already have a very clear idea what the atmosphere will be like at their wedding. Some want to immerse their guests in a world of elegance and luxury, while others prefer rural, pastoral settings or timeless places that look like something out of a fairy tale, such as an old castle. There are also those who want every last detail to be imbued with references to a particular theme.
If you’re still not sure, think about your personality and tastes, without worrying too much about the expectations of your friends and relatives. After all, the person who should feel most at ease is you, so you can make sure you have an unforgettable day. If you’re fond of simplicity and a modern atmosphere, an old villa or castle is unlikely to be the right solution for you. You’ll probably prefer a hotel or restaurant with a minimal style.
However, some venues combine different styles and atmospheres. That’s the case here at Corte Leonardi, where elegance, tradition and modern facilities all fit flawlessly into a rural yet highly refined setting surrounded by vineyards.
Another thing you need to bear in mind is which season it’ll be when you get married, because it’ll have an immediate impact on the list of possible locations. If you’ve opted for a winter wedding, you’ll have to rule out all of the places that don’t have plenty of room inside.
In the summer, most people prefer somewhere that has both indoor and outdoor spaces. If you intend to have your meal outside, it’s always best to have a back-up plan in case it rains or the weather is bad.
In that respect, Corte Leonardi is an ideal location all year round because it has large indoor halls with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that are perfect for winter weddings and at all other times, not to mention large, picturesque areas where you can eat outside.
The budget is the third most important factor, because it can obviously mean the choice is restricted to certain locations. There’s no point picturing every single detail of the venue of your dreams without first narrowing down the selection to the places you can actually afford. With that in mind, we’d advise you to draw up a list of places that suit the style and season of your wedding, then start asking for detailed quotes.
You’ll soon see that the services included in a quote can vary enormously from one place to the next, even if the prices are similar. You might not realize that when you book a venue for a ceremony, not all owners will provide lighting and audio systems or the other equipment required for the event, including tables and chairs. That means that you might get excited about what seems like a very reasonable quote, only to later discover that you’ll have to arrange not only the catering but also everything else.
At Corte Leonardi we like to be transparent about all of the items listed in our quotes and our service includes painstakingly planned details that can make a big difference. For instance, indoor and outdoor lighting is usually included in the price for the location, as are tables, chairs, use of the kitchen and two rooms (one of which has its own bathroom) where the bride and groom can get changed. We normally also provide a car park attendant, a bathroom attendant and a member of staff to supervise the event in general. On request, we can increase the number of attendants.
It almost goes without saying that capacity must be on your check-list of features for the ideal location: if you plan to invite hundreds of guests, that instantly limits the number of options.
At Corte Leonardi, there are two halls that can each accommodate up to 250 guests. With such a large indoor capacity, it’s an ideal choice for winter weddings.
If you’re getting married in a church or town hall and you’ve already chosen the place where the ceremony will take place, you’ll have to select a reception venue that isn’t too far away so that you don’t subject your guests to a long, boring drive: try to keep it to no more than 30 to 40 minutes. You’ll need the ceremony and reception venues to both be available on the same day, so start looking into it well in advance. If you have a civil ceremony, it is possible to hold it in your chosen location.
Corte Leonardi is in the countryside just outside Modena. It’s within easy reach for everyone who gets married in Modena town hall, one of the churches in the city, or any of the towns in the Province of Modena or the eastern part of the Province of Reggio Emilia.
Unless you’ve chosen a restaurant or hotel that will provide a food service for you, you’ll need to hire a catering company. One key thing you need to do on this front is find out if the location you’re considering can provide some of the equipment, thus helping to cut costs. For example, does the villa that you’ve chosen have a kitchen that the catering staff can use? This will have an impact on the type of meal that you can serve for your guests, whether that’s a buffet or a banquet. Don’t rush to any decisions, because it’s the thing your guests will remember most about your wedding!
When you pick a location, you should take into account all of the possible requirements of your guests. If they don’t live locally, they might need a place to stay overnight, so you could opt for a hotel or somewhere else that can provide accommodation.
Even if you don’t have to worry about where your guests will be staying, think about how they will be travelling: if they won’t have a car because they’ll be getting to the area by train, it’s best not to make things complicated by asking them to travel around in the countryside or places with poor public transport links.
If all the guests have cars and the location isn’t in an urban area, it’ll be essential to have a large car park. We’ve gone to great lengths on this front at Corte Leonardi, which is strategically located just a short drive from Modena but surrounded by green countryside. There’s plenty of room in our large, secure parking area even for receptions with lots of guests.
If there are any older people or families with children among your guests, you should also take their needs into account. The former will need a location that’s accessible, while the latter will definitely appreciate somewhere with plenty of room where the children are free to play and run around, instead of having to sit still at the table all day long.
If you want your wedding day to be truly unforgettable, you could decide to offer your guests an original experience that they’re unlikely to get the chance to enjoy anywhere else. The location of the ceremony can play a crucial role in this respect. For example, you could choose a wedding in a vineyard, a rural wedding, or even a wedding with a historic theme in an old castle or a location with artistic and cultural treasures.
Alternatively, you could offer your guests a memorable experience such as a show or a trip to a special place. For instance, at Corte Leonardi you can organize a tasting session and guided tour of the Balsamic Vinegar Museum and the old ACETAIA, where your guests can find out how Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is made and savour its unmistakable aroma. It’s a truly unique experience and an amazing opportunity to get to know the local culture and traditions better, especially for guests from other parts of the world.
Contact us to find out more or to request a personalized quote.
