The Art of Venue Selection: How to Choose a Unique Space for Your Event
Selecting a unique venue for your event can transform an ordinary occasion into an extraordinary experience. Whether you’re planning a corporate gathering, a wedding, or a special celebration, choosing the right unique venue can create lasting memories and set your event apart. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential considerations when selecting a distinctive event space.
Contents
Understanding Unique Venues
Identifying Your Event Requirements
Types of Unique Venues
Location and Accessibility
Unique Features and Opportunities
Practical Considerations
Logistics and Planning
Budget and Cost Considerations
Legal and Safety Considerations
Summary
Understanding Unique Venues
A unique venue is more than just an unusual space – it’s a location that adds its own character and story to your event. Understanding what makes a venue truly unique will help you make an informed choice:
Characteristics of Unique Venues:
- Historical significance or heritage status
- Unusual architecture or design
- Distinctive features or atmosphere
- Unexpected or unconventional use of space
- Exclusive or limited availability
Function Fixers Tip: Look beyond the obvious ‘wow factor’ – the most successful unique venues combine distinctive character with practical functionality for events.
Identifying Your Event Requirements
Before beginning your search, clearly define your event needs:
Key Considerations:
- Event Type:
- Corporate events
- Weddings
- Product launches
- Art exhibitions
- Fashion shows
- Private celebrations
- Attendee Profile:
- Number of guests
- Demographics
- Special requirements
- Expected behavior patterns
Function Fixers Tip: Create a detailed brief of your requirements before venue hunting – this will help venue finders identify truly suitable options rather than just visually striking spaces.
Ask the professionals
Planning a memorable corporate event requires careful consideration, especially when you’re managing multiple business priorities and tight deadlines. As event calendars fill up quickly throughout the year, securing the perfect venue becomes increasingly challenging. This is where professional venue finders become invaluable – they’re not just time-savers, they’re strategic partners who can transform your corporate event from conventional to extraordinary.
With years of experience and established relationships across the events industry, venue finders like Function Fixers can secure unique spaces you might never discover on your own, often at better rates than going direct. They understand that a successful event isn’t just about finding a room – it’s about creating an experience that enhances your brand, engages your audience, and leaves a lasting impression.
Function Fixers have helped countless organisations create exceptional corporate events, with one standout success being a spectacular gala drinks reception for 600 guests at Madame Tussauds – London’s world-famous wax museum.
The brief was distinctive: source a unique venue for a gala drinks reception that would create an unforgettable experience for 600 guests while providing excellent transport connections and amenities. After the client had explored several conventional venues without success, Function Fixers was appointed to create a targeted shortlist and provide comprehensive event planning support.
The chosen venue, Madame Tussauds, proved to be the perfect match that exceeded all expectations. Located in the heart of London’s Marylebone district, with excellent tube connections and convenient access to major rail stations and airports, the logistics were seamless. The event was such a resounding success!
A professional venue planner like Function Fixers can transform your corporate event planning experience. Here’s why:
- Time and Cost Efficiency: Venue planners can quickly identify available dates and suitable venues, saving you countless hours of research. Their industry connections often unlock exclusive packages and deals that aren’t available to the public.
- Local Knowledge: Planners maintain an extensive portfolio of unique venues, from iconic attractions to contemporary galleries, each offering distinctive features that can elevate your corporate event.
- Experience-Based Insights: Having orchestrated numerous corporate gatherings, planners can advise on crucial elements like guest flow, presentation logistics, and creating the perfect atmosphere that maintains engagement.
- Tailored Recommendations: Whether you’re planning a board meeting or a company-wide celebration, planners match venues to your specific requirements, considering factors like budget, desired atmosphere, and branding opportunities.
- Negotiation Skills: Experienced planners leverage their relationships to secure enhanced packages, including catering, audiovisual equipment, and entertainment options at preferential rates.
- Stress Reduction: By managing venue selection and logistics, planners free you to focus on other important aspects like content planning and stakeholder communications.
- Risk Mitigation: Planners ensure all considerations are addressed, from technical requirements to backup plans, helping your corporate event run flawlessly.
Types of Unique Venues
While London offers an array of extraordinary venues like Madame Tussauds, venturing beyond the capital can unlock even more distinctive event spaces that leave lasting impressions. For instance, the historic Brighton Sea Life Centre – the world’s oldest operating aquarium – provides a mesmerising backdrop for corporate events, where guests can mingle among gracefully swimming sea creatures in a Victorian architectural masterpiece. These unique venues outside London not only offer excellent value but often provide easier accessibility for regional teams and can help support sustainability goals by reducing travel distances. Plus, they frequently come with the added benefit of more flexible booking options and dedicated local support teams who know their venues inside out.
Popular Categories:
- Heritage Venues:
- Historic mansions
- Castles
- Ancient buildings
- Period properties
- Cultural Spaces:
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Theatres
- Libraries
- Industrial Conversions:
- Warehouses
- Factories
- Power stations
- Breweries
Function Fixers Tip: Consider venues that naturally align with your event theme or brand values – this can significantly reduce decoration and styling costs.
Location and Accessibility
The most unique venue must still be practically accessible:
Location Factors:
- Transport links
- Parking facilities
- Local accommodation
- Surrounding area amenities
Function Fixers Tip: For particularly unusual or remote venues, consider arranging transport for guests – this can turn the journey into part of the experience.
Unique Features and Opportunities
Evaluate special features that could enhance your event:
Distinctive Elements:
- Architectural features
- Historical elements
- Natural surroundings
- Unusual spaces
- Photo opportunities
Function Fixers Tip: Ask about any restrictions on how you can use unique features – some heritage properties have strict preservation guidelines.
Practical Considerations
Even the most unique venue must meet basic event requirements:
Essential Facilities:
- Restrooms
- Kitchen facilities
- Storage space
- Power supply
- Climate control
Function Fixers Tip: For unusual venues, always conduct a detailed technical survey – you may need to bring in additional facilities or equipment.
Logistics and Planning
Unique venues often require extra planning:
Key Logistics:
- Setup and breakdown times
- Access for suppliers
- Equipment loading areas
- Storage facilities
- Staff facilities
Function Fixers Tip: Create detailed floor plans and timing schedules – unusual spaces often require creative solutions for traditional event elements.
Budget and Cost Considerations
Unique venues can have specific cost implications:
Budget Factors:
- Venue hire fees
- Additional equipment needs
- Special licenses
- Insurance requirements
- Staff costs
Function Fixers Tip: Factor in all potential extra costs – unique venues often require more supplementary services than traditional event spaces.
Legal and Safety Considerations
Ensure all legal requirements are met:
Key Requirements:
- Venue licenses
- Insurance coverage
- Health and safety compliance
- Risk assessments
- Capacity restrictions
Function Fixers Tip: Always check the venue’s experience with your type of event – inexperienced venues may need extra support with compliance issues.
Summary
Choosing a unique venue requires balancing distinctive character with practical functionality. Key takeaways include:
- Define your requirements clearly before beginning the search
- Consider both the venue’s unique features and practical necessities
- Evaluate accessibility and guest comfort
- Understand all logistical implications
- Account for additional costs unique spaces might incur
- Ensure all legal and safety requirements are met
- Plan for any additional facilities or equipment needed
- Consider the venue’s experience with similar events
- Check all restrictions and guidelines
- Allow extra time for planning and setup
Remember that while a unique venue can make your event memorable, it must still serve its primary purpose as a functional event space. The key is finding the perfect balance between distinctive character and practical functionality.
