12 reasons why you should use SquareMeal to book your wedding venue

Finding the perfect wedding venue is one of the most significant (and often most stressful) decisions you’ll have to make when planning your special day. From having to cross-reference capacities, requesting countless brochures and flicking back and forth between a dozen different websites, the process can be exhausting and time-consuming.

Trust us, we get it. With more than 35 years of industry experience, SquareMeal is one of the UK’s most comprehensive venue directories, bringing together thousands of wedding venues across the UK on one easy-to-use platform.

Whether you're dreaming of a grand country estate in the Cotswolds, a sleek riverside venue in the capital, or a coastal space by the sea, SquareMeal allows you to research and compare a wide variety of spaces with ease.

So, what makes SquareMeal the best choice for booking a wedding venue? We build our listings with couples in mind, putting the most important information right at your fingertips. You can easily browse through capacities, room options, and on-site facilities, with need-to-know info - such as whether a venue is available for exclusive hire, or licensed for civil ceremonies - placed right at the top.

More than that, you can use advanced filters to narrow your search by location, venue type, and budget, with essential criteria such as whether a venue is pet-friendly or comes with on-site accommodation, making it easy to browse through all your non-negotiables.

That way, you can ensure that you’re only ever looking at venues that genuinely fit your brief. SquareMeal has plenty more to offer, from a Rewards programme that lets bookers earn points for a confirmed booking, as well as a free venue-finding concierge service that connects you directly with venues.

With all of the above, and plenty more to offer, we’ve rounded up the top reasons why SquareMeal should be your first stop when searching for your perfect wedding venue. So you can start your wedding venue search today!

1. Browse thousands of wedding venues across the UK

No matter your style, location, or the size of the guest list, SquareMeal brings together thousands of venues across the country so you're sure to find something well-suited to your occasion. Looking for a city-based wedding venue, or to take your celebration out to the countryside for a whimsical woodland wedding? We make it easy to compare venues across different regions, types and styles, with everything all in one convenient place.

For example, couples searching for an idyllic country house with elegant ballrooms and exceptional in-house catering may turn to Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire. Stock Farm Barn is ideal for those looking to add a rustic feel to their celebration, boasting large-scale spaces and outdoor spots for an al fresco reception.

2. Find clear and essential information in one place

The Grove, Hertfordshire, clearly displays its different rooms and capacities, helping you narrow down your search for ceremony and reception spaces

One of the most frustrating parts of venue searching is having to find all the basic details. How much does it cost? Are there minimum spends? Is there space for all your guests? At SquareMeal, we ensure our listings are as easy to use as possible, with all the information laid out clearly for you.

Each listing presents the most important information in a clear, at-a-glance format. You'll find standing and seated capacities, catering options, on-site facilities, room hire formats, and notes on whether exclusive hire is available. Additional details, such as disability access, bridal changing facilities, and the possibility for late night extensions, are also clearly flagged, so you're never left guessing. 

A venue such as The Grove in Hertfordshire, for instance, clearly outlines its variety of spaces and their respective capacities, helping couples quickly determine whether a location can accommodate their ceremony or wedding breakfast.

3. Use handy filters to refine your venue search

Easily browse by venue type, such as outdoor wedding venues in Kent, which includes Leeds Castle, The Spa Hotel, Winters Barns and Lympne Castle

Once you’ve narrowed down your location, our filtering system allows you to refine your search further, whether that’s by guest capacity, budget, venue style or other key features. This allows you to eliminate unsuitable venues early on, keeping a tight and relevant shortlist. For example, if you're looking for an outdoor wedding venue in Kent, then all you have to do is tick the 'outdoor' box, and our search function can help you narrow down the relevant options.

4. Save all your favourite venues in one place

Found a venue that's caught your eye? Rather than bookmarking in your browser (and hoping you can find it again later), SquareMeal allows you to save it in your very own shortlist. All saved venues are stored in one place, making it easy to revisit, compare, and even share your options - making it easy to get your partner's opinion on a space before booking.

5. Browse wedding brochures and high-quality photographs

Woodlands Hotel in Hampshire, showcases high-quality imagery of its different spaces, as well as attaching a brochure and wedding packages to its listing

Before committing to a visit, it's worth getting a sense of a venue's scale and style. SquareMeal listings feature a large selection of high-quality photography, allowing you to check out spaces before setting up a visit. It's especially useful for couples planning a destination wedding, cutting down time on travelling to a venue that may not meet your expectations.

We also encourage our venues to add wedding brochures, so you can quickly browse through wedding packages and layouts before you make a full enquiry.

6. Earn rewards for a confirmed booking

As well as helping you to book your dream wedding venue, SquareMeal has its own Rewards programme, allowing you to earn back money for every confirmed booking - including your wedding. All you have to do is sign up and let us know once your booking is confirmed, and you'll receive 500 points (equivalent to £5).

It's an easy way to earn a little something back - and it can easily add up if you're booking multiple events to celebrate your marriage. You can earn points for booking a space for your engagement party, or your hen do, as well as the big day itself. 

7. Discover venues through our editorial guides and newsletter

SquareMeal also helps guide you throughout the planning process. The in-house editorial team produces an extensive collection of planning content, curating venue guides as well as offering its top tips and tricks to make your wedding planning more streamlined.

Don't have time to search? Sign up to our wedding newsletter for all our latest guides delivered straight to your inbox.

8. Easily find out a venue's last-minute availability and special offers

Explore upcoming offers and last-minute availability at Careys Manor in Hampshire, and Ansty Hall in Warwickshire.

Those looking to get things moving can make the most of last-minute availability wedding venues. Our venues can showcase any availability for weddings in the next three months, so you can easily make an enquiry and speed up your wedding planning process. 

Elsewhere, listings can showcase any ongoing special offers. Careys Manor, for example, is offering couples a free overnight stay the night before their wedding, alongside a £500 bar tab for weddings that take place in the next few months. Get in touch with a venue to find out more about their relevant offers.

9. Access our free wedding venue concierge service

Feeling overwhelmed by the whole process? We get it. Finding the perfect venue can feel daunting. That's why we offer a free venue-finding concierge service that can help you create a shortlist. Simply fill out our straightforward online form with your requirements - date, guest numbers, preferred location, budget, style of venue - and our team will come back to you with tailored recommendations.

Whether you're looking to host a grand reception for 300 guests or an intimate dinner for just 30, the service is designed to match your brief with the most suitable wedding venues. Most importantly, it's entirely free to use!

10. Get in touch with venues in just a few clicks

Explore the spaces at Devil Dyke Farm in East Sussex, before sending an enquiry to request pricing for your specified date

Once you've found a wedding venue that interests you, we've made it as easy as possible to request further information. Each listing features a dedicated form where you can fill in your preferred date, approximate guest numbers and contact information, then add a personalised message or use the default template for a quicker submission. 

The best part? These forms go directly to wedding coordinators or event planners at the venues, so you don't have to worry about your message getting lost amongst the masses. You can rest easy that your enquiry is with the right person from the outset.

11. Easily find out about upcoming wedding open days

Browse through upcoming wedding open days and showcases, with events across the country, such as Barton Hall Hotel & Spa in Northamptonshire, Apton Hall in Essex, and Shuttleworth House in Bedfordshire

As well as showcasing a huge variety of wedding venues on our website, we also offer a space where venues can share their upcoming wedding showcases and open days. You can browse through events that are taking place in the next few months, with all the need-to-know information including how to RSVP. Find one near you and easily start your wedding venue search.

12. Trust other couples who have booked their big day with us

We get it, you want to hear from other couples who have booked their big day with us! Countless couples have used SquareMeal to find their dream wedding venue, and you could too! Browse through reviews and testimonials on a wedding venue's listing to find out more about what made their day extra special.

Now that you've decided to use SquareMeal to book your wedding venue, you'll be looking for the perfect space. Our guide on how to choose a wedding venue rounds up everything you'll want to think about when starting the planning process, from style and season to logistics and location. Get venue searching now!