By Emma Morley

Last updated 14:20, Thursday, 06 November 2008

Finding your dream venue should be one of the first things you think about when organising your wedding.

• View more pictures...

The Princess Selandia in Barrow.

And whether you are looking for a traditional or contemporary venue there are lots to choose from in Cumbria.

There are nine register offices where civil ceremonies can be held and more than 100 approved venues – ranging from castles and country houses to museums and a ship – in which you can hold a civil ceremony and a reception. There are also dozens of other venues for receptions only.

Your starting point should be to draw up a list of the things that are most important to you both. Prioritising them will help to make sure that you are both happy with the type of venue you are looking for – it may be a marquee, a traditional country house, a contemporary hotel or a register office.

Getting married abroad may also be something you want to consider.

Once you have done this you can start to narrow it down by seeing what is available and visiting the venues.

If you can’t agree on the type of venue it might be a good idea to visit a range of venues to get a feeling for what they offer.

If you are having a civil ceremony you need to check that the venue has a civil licence.

It is a good idea to visit the venue at different times of the day as well.

When you visit a venue, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions – here are some to get you started:

n Will there be other weddings taking place at the venue on the same day?

n What is included in the price? n Make sure you get a written quotation with all the details before you commit yourself.

n Is it big enough for the number of guests you hope to invite?

n Is there overnight accommodation?

n How much room is there for parking?

If the venue isn’t big enough for you, enquire about the possibility of a marquee in the grounds.

Also think about what the venue offers in terms of locations – inside and outside – for photographs.

If you decide that you want something a bit different then there are several venues in Cumbria that you may want to consider.

The Helena Thompson Museum on the outskirts of Workington will give you a sense of history. The Grade II-listed building, formerly known as Park End House, was built as a residence for a steward in the service of the Curwen family, Lord of the Manor of Workington.

It was bought by Helena Thompson in 1934 and gifted to Workington as a museum on her death.

For a nautical-inspired wedding, The Princess Selandia, which is permanently moored at the Town Quay in Buccleuch Dock at Barrow-in-Furness, is a floating entertainment complex that is licensed for weddings.

If celebrating your day at the races appeals to you, Carlisle Racecourse and Cartmel Park Racecourse at Grange-over-Sands are licensed for civil ceremonies.