From our friends at Wedding Bee. Choosing the perfect wedding venue for your big day is almost as big of a decision as selecting the wedding dress. After all, this is the place where all of your matrimonial memories will be made. But deciding on a wedding venue has to go beyond optics and aesthetics. It also needs to be functional and efficient. For example, being equipped with a kitchen if you’re considering catering, or having the right amount of parking spaces for your guests. Basically, it should have everything you could possibly need and want for your special day (and at the right price).
Touring potential wedding venues is the next step when it comes to making your selection. But, except for rare circumstances, don’t ever assume you can just show up and look around! Book an appointment with the venue first after making sure that your potential wedding date is available. Next, make sure you visit the venue with a list of discussion topics so you know exactly what to ask in order to make the most of your visit. Luckily, we have the perfect list of questions to ask at a wedding venue tour.
The Basics
How many people does the space accommodate?
Are you handicapped accessible?
How many bathrooms are there?
What’s the walking/driving distance from the ceremony location?
Is public transportation an option?
Is there parking available? Is it free or do guests need to pay?
Can I have my ceremony here, too? Is there an additional cost?
Are there changing areas for the bride, groom, and/or wedding party?
What kinds of restrictions do you have? (noise, alcohol, etc.)
How many weddings do you host per day?
What’s your outdoor space like?
How’s your electricity? How are the acoustics?
Do you have liability insurance?
Is there a point person available to me on the day of the wedding?
About Food and Beverage
Can we hire outside vendors?
Do you have an “in-house caterer” or a list of approved or recommended vendors we can use?
Is there a kitchen available if I hire my own caterer?
Do we have to use your approved vendors or “in-house caterer”? If not, are there any guidelines we need to meet when bringing others in?
Can we bring in our own alcohol, such as wine, beer and spirits?
Is there a corkage fee?
Is there a food & beverage minimum?
What’s the tax and service charge?
Are you licensed to provide alcohol service?
Can I bring in a cake from an outside baker or do I have to use a cake made on-site?
About the Entertainment
Can your space accommodate a DJ or live band or any other entertainment?
Does your space have a dance floor?
What time can my vendors come in to start setting up? When do they have to leave? Is there a curfew on noise/music?
About the Decor
Are tables, linens, chairs, plates, silverware, and glassware provided, or will I need to provide my own?
Can I bring my own decorations?
Is there a problem with rearranging the space?
Is your staff involved with setting up and breaking down the space?
About Payment
What is the rental fee and what’s included in that price?
How many hours does the rental fee include, and is there an overtime fee if I stay longer?
How much is the deposit?
How do you structure the payment schedule?
What is the cancellation policy?
When is the last possible date to make changes to our reservation?
Choosing a wedding venue is definitely one of the hardest decisions when it comes to your big day. But by having the right questions prepared, you should be able to select the right place for your perfect wedding.