Wedding venues

The venue as the foundation

We choose the venue first, because it limits or eases everything else: how many guests will fit, where they will dine, how they will get there.

A good venue does half the work: it already has character, light and a backdrop, and less decor is needed.

Our role

We know the venues personally: we know where the evening light falls, where the wind blows and which access road a coach does not like.

For your brief we select two or three venues and send candid notes on each - the pluses and the minuses.

Old Tbilisi

In old Tbilisi a wedding is often held in a restored historic house or a restaurant's inner courtyard. Wooden balconies and stone walls bring the photos to life.

Such places are usually small, and the number of guests is limited. You cannot drive a big coach into the narrow streets.

In return, guests walk from the hotel and end the evening with a stroll through the old town.

Tbilisi terraces

From rooftop terraces you can see the city, the Mtkvari and Narikala. At sunset this is the best backdrop for a ceremony.

A terrace always needs an indoor alternative - wind and rain happen in the city too.

Noise rules are stricter here because of neighbours. We confirm the time music must end in advance.

Around Tbilisi

Half an hour from the city there are venues in nature: by a lake, at the edge of a forest or near Mtskheta.

It is a compromise between city and region: guests stay at the hotel, while the wedding is out in nature.

Getting back at night is easy, and transport is planned as a single run.

Kakheti chateaux

Kakheti is the wine region, and many chateaux have dedicated wedding spaces: a terrace over the vineyard, a cellar, a garden.

A chateau's advantage is that the kitchen, the wine and often the rooms are all in one place. That simplifies logistics.

The drive from Tbilisi is one and a half to two and a half hours, so guests often stay the night.

The Alazani Valley

The view of the Alazani Valley with the Caucasus is one of the best-known wedding backdrops. The terraces of Sighnaghi and nearby estates look straight out over it.

The view is best on a clear day, when the mountains are visible. In summer haze often hides them.

So we choose the ceremony time when the light is soft and the view clearest.

Kvareli and Telavi

Kvareli and Telavi have estates with a rich history and wine houses. Some of them stand in old parks.

A wedding here is calmer than in Sighnaghi, and guests can also be offered a cellar tour.

For a two- or three-day wedding Kakheti is ideal: the ceremony one day, a wine tour the next.

Kazbegi

In Kazbegi the ceremony takes place against Mount Kazbek, often on a hotel terrace or out in nature.

The drive from Tbilisi is up to three hours, over the Jvari Pass. In winter it may close.

The weather changes in seconds. An indoor space must always be close by, and we advise guests to bring warm clothes.

Gudauri in winter

A winter wedding in the snow is special: white mountains, a fireplace, mulled wine. Gudauri's hotels are ready for it.

In winter the road and weather risks are greater. We plan arrival and departure days with a margin.

In ski season rooms fill up early, so we start booking much sooner.

Borjomi and Bakuriani

The Borjomi gorge is known for its forests and mineral water. Old parks and historic buildings make a romantic backdrop.

Bakuriani is a mountain resort with soft green slopes. It is cool here for a summer wedding.

Both suit a family, calm wedding, without much noise.

Batumi

In Batumi the sea and the city come together: a ceremony on the shore, dinner on a restaurant terrace, the evening on the boulevard.

The city has an airport, and guests fly straight in. From some countries there are direct flights to Batumi.

In summer the city is crowded. Late spring and September are often a better choice.

The coast out of town

South and north of Batumi the coast is quieter - pebble beaches, a mountain backdrop, fewer people.

Hotels here are often smaller, and a wedding takes over the whole place.

For a seaside ceremony the wind is the main factor. We adapt the decor and sound to it.

Imereti

Imereti is a less-known but beautiful region: green hills, local wine, ancient churches.

Kutaisi airport is connected by European low-cost flights, which is convenient for guests.

In Imeretian homes a wedding happens together with the host family, and guests remember it for a long time.

Capacity

A venue's capacity comes in two numbers: seated and standing. A Georgian supra is seated, so the first number is what matters.

Room must also be left for dancing and a band. Often a venue that "holds a hundred" holds a hundred without dancing.

So we always check capacity with a floor plan: tables, stage, dance floor, buffet.

Indoor and outdoor

The best venue has both: the ceremony outside, dinner inside, or the other way round.

If there is only outdoor space, we check whether a marquee can be put up and how long it takes.

In summer heat, shade and ventilation matter as much as a roof does in rain.

Exclusivity

Some venues host one wedding a day, others several events. This must be written into the contract.

If the venue has other guests too - hotel guests, for example - we find out which space will be yours alone.

On Saturdays popular Kakheti chateaux often have two events. A weekday avoids that.

Noise and finishing time

Many venues have a time when the music must stop - often because of neighbours or other hotel guests.

If you want to dance late into the night, we choose the venue by that time, not the other way round.

In some places the time can be extended for an extra fee. We write that into the contract.

Catering: in-house or external

Chateaux and restaurants usually have their own kitchen and do not allow outside caterers.

A private villa or garden often has no kitchen. There the caterer comes in fully, with equipment.

These two options change the budget and logistics differently. We work this out at the very first stage.

Your own wine

Some venues allow you to bring your own wine, some only with a service charge, some not at all.

If you want a special wine - from a friend's cellar or with your own label - we check before booking.

At a chateau the best choice is often its own wine: it was made right there, and that is a story.

Staying on site

A venue where guests stay overnight makes the wedding much calmer: no night transport is needed.

Chateaux and mountain hotels have rooms, but often not enough for every guest. We house the rest nearby.

We book the best room separately for the couple, for the wedding night and for getting ready.

Access road and parking

The road to some beautiful venues is narrow or unpaved. A coach cannot get up, and the last stretch is planned by minibus.

We check the road back by daylight - the lighting, the bends, the phone signal.

Parking matters if some guests are coming in their own cars.

Accessibility

For older guests and wheelchair users, stairs and stone paths are obstacles.

When choosing a venue we check where the steps are, whether there is a ramp and how far the toilets are.

Where needed, we arrange the ceremony so that everyone can reach it easily.

Power and equipment

A venue out in nature often lacks enough power for sound, lighting and the kitchen.

In that case we bring a generator and place it away from guests so it causes no noise.

Internet in the mountains and villages may be weak. If you need a live stream, we test it in advance.

Toilets and facilities

An open-air venue must have enough toilets for every guest. This small thing is forgotten most often.

Where needed, we arrange comfortable mobile toilets, with lighting.

A separate quiet space for parents with small children is always appreciated.

Mtskheta

Mtskheta is Georgia's ancient capital, half an hour from Tbilisi. Its old churches are on the UNESCO heritage list.

Many Georgian couples hold their church wedding here, and there are several venues nearby for dinner, with a river view.

Mtskheta is good for those who want a historic backdrop without travelling far.

Decor rules

Every venue has its own rules: open flames, candles, confetti, nails in the walls. Some of these are prohibited.

In historic buildings the restrictions are especially strict. We send this list to the decorator in advance.

We find out when decor can be brought in and when everything must be cleared at night.

The venue manager

Every good venue has a manager who is on site on the wedding day. They are our coordinator's partner.

We meet them in advance and go through the day's running order together, minute by minute.

That way two people know everything on the wedding day, and no question reaches you.

Photo spots

A good venue has its own photo spots: rows of vines, an old wall, a view. So you do not need to travel far for the photo session.

We show the photographer the venue before the ceremony, or they arrive the day before.

The best hour for photos is before sunset. We protect that hour in the running order.

Close to a church

If you are planning a church wedding, the venue should be close to the church so guests do not travel long.

Many villages and towns have an old church nearby. We clarify the church's conditions separately.

The convoy from the church to the venue is a traditional part of a Georgian wedding.

Public places

In a public place - a park, by a historic monument, in a church courtyard - a ceremony often needs permission or is not allowed at all.

At religious sites respect comes first. A photo session is often possible, an event is not.

We apply for permission, and if it is impossible we find a similar view at a private venue.

The viewing checklist

On a viewing we check: the light at the ceremony hour, sound, wind, toilets, the kitchen, power and the road.

We ask who will be responsible on the venue's side on the day and when decor can be brought in.

We record everything in photos and video and send it to you if you cannot come yourselves.

Booking and deposit

A venue is booked with a deposit. Refund terms vary - we read them before signing.

On a popular date a venue will not wait. Once the choice is made, we confirm the booking straight away.

In the contract we set out the exact space, the hours, the number of guests and what is included in the price.

Two venues in one day

Sometimes the ceremony is in one place - a church or a spot with a view - and dinner in another.

The journey between them is part of the day's running order: transport, time and guests waiting.

If the journey is longer than forty minutes, we plan light food and drinks for guests.

Common mistakes

Choosing a venue from photos alone, without checking the light at the right hour or the noise rules.

Capacity without room for dancing. An open-air venue without an indoor alternative.

A venue in nature without checking toilets and power. We check all of this on the viewing.

What we need from you

The estimated number of guests and the preferred region or character - city, vineyard, mountains, sea.

The date or season and where guests will stay.

Photos of venues you like, even from another country. That way we understand the character better.

Price

A venue's price depends on the season, day of the week, number of guests and service. Some venues charge hire, others a minimum spend on the menu.

We add nothing to the venue's price. It is a separate line in your spreadsheet.

When comparing several venues we show all costs in one spreadsheet, so the full cost is visible.