When it comes to wedding planning, picking a venue is usually the first place to start. The venue can set the tone for the preparations that follow including décor and theme, making it a crucial decision! But where to start?

Gina Bacconi’s Wedding venue checklist:

1) Save the date!

2) Guest count –if you’re having a dinner, how many will be attending? How many will be attending for the drinks reception afterwards?

3) How to get there – how convenient is travel to and from the venue? Are there facilities for guests to stay overnight?

4) Weather – this is the UK, make sure you’ve put in place provisions for rain!

5) Caterers – Some venues have in-house caterers, some outsource this to a select list. In either case, make sure they can tailor a menu to your tastes and that you’re covered from dinner all the way into evening drinks.

With all this in mind, here’s our pick of the finest places in the country to say “I do”:

One Marylebone, London

one-events.co.uk/marylebone

Our pick of the Central London locations covered by seasoned venue experts, One Events, One Marylebone caught our attention for its location and grandeur. Grade I listed beauty meets contemporary décor inside, giving the venue strong potential for a glamorous Central London wedding, all within a stone’s throw of Regent’s Park! Being a larger venue of One Event’s portfolio, there’s room for up to 350 for dinner, and a further 150 on top of that for a post-dinner drinks reception (and of course, the all-important dance floor!).

OXO2, Level 2 OXO Tower, London

oxo2.co.uk/weddings

Chic with huge potential for customisation, OXO2 is our choice for a modern location with unparalleled riverside views of London. Event management and catering are covered by Create Events London who can boast 40 prestigious locations in London, specialising in bespoke weddings and using seasonal ingredients to inspire their menus. Southbank and Central London leave you with no shortage of hotels, so your guests can party with you far into the night.

Cowdray park, Midhurst

walledgardencowdray.com/weddings

London may spoil you for choice, however, escaping from the city presents you with a host of choices which make for a relaxing wedding weekend. Cowdray is home to a few wedding venues but our favourite is its exclusive walled garden: a true hidden gem in the heart of the South Downs. With one or two select caterers linked to the venue, you’ll be able to pick your perfect menu plan. Historic and picturesque, Cowdray is the ultimate romantic venue.

Babington House, Somerset

babingtonhouse.co.uk/weddings

Why not turn your wedding weekend into a rural getaway at the same time? Part of the prestigious Soho House group, Babington boasts extensive grounds and 33 luxurious bedrooms so guests can crash out after a night of partying, with more space down the road at the picturesque Talbot Inn. Babington provides the ultimate country escape as well as a gorgeous house and grounds for a wedding. With space for 90 at dinner, Babington is one of our more intimate locations, with potential to host more at a drinks reception.

Kew Gardens, London

kew.org/venue-hire/kew-gardens

Torn between romantic country setting and the city glamour? Why not have both? Kew Gardens presents you with a complex of conservatories and spaces for you to choose and transform, each capable of hosting up to 200 guests. From the more boutique style Cambridge cottage, a former royal residence, to the grand Grade I listed Orangery, Kew’s venues offer flexibility and choice in an idyllic setting all within easy reach of London. Undecided? Kew also offers a multi-venue package to give variety to occasion, taking you from the ceremony all the way through to the evening dance.