I’ve helped investors buy and sell almost every type of hotel, pub and licensed leisure venue during my career, yet wedding venues, which are often highly profitable, consistently seem to fly under the radar.

There are several reasons for this. A bride and groom can panic if they find out the venue for their big day is changing hands which means the marketing and sale process has to be done very discreetly. We recently sold the Rampsbeck Hotel (pictured) in Ullswater, for example, for £2.7 million in an off-market transaction. Staff communications also need to be handled sensitively – many people worry about their job security during a sale though, in fact, staff are protected under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment). As a result, it is not as easy to talk openly about the big advantages wedding venues can offer as both a business and an investment as it is with other types of asset.

So what does make a wedding venue such a good choice? They are generally extremely attractive or period properties, are very well maintained and, given the nature of the business, highly organised. Bookings are made and deposits paid well in advance of events, so the forecast of trade is very visible and transparent. The long notice period also makes staffing and stock ordering easier than for other types of business.

The wedding market remains strong and, while still a slightly seasonal business, the increased popularity of weekday and winter weddings has further strengthened trade.

Given all these points, a well-run wedding venue can be a highly profitable business and an excellent investment.

Further information

Contact Savills Commercial or view Leisure & Licenced Trade.