So you’ve found the perfect location for your special day, but now you need to get a little more specific. You’ll need to know the right questions to ask your wedding venue. After all, your wedding day is one of the most memorable and exciting days of your life, but organizing all the logistics can be stressful.
There are so many details to consider when booking a venue, from catering options to lighting and even audiovisual equipment. But don’t panic! The key is preparation. Your venue should have experts on hand to give you information about their services. Plus, asking the right questions will help you avoid any nasty surprises, and will make you feel confident that this is the right place for you and your guests.
So make sure that you’re fully prepared for your big day with the below list of questions to ask your wedding venue.
Essential Questions
When looking for a wedding venue, there are several essential things to consider. These include the ceremony, timing, accessibility, pricing, payment, cancellation, and availability. Here are some questions about wedding basics to ask if you want to ensure that your wedding will be a success:
- What dates are available?
- How long can I reserve a date for?
- Does the venue have a license for civil or religious ceremonies?
- What fees are included?
- What forms of payment are available?
- How much does it cost to have both the ceremony and reception at the venue?
- How many hours will I have the space for?
- What are overtime fees?
- How much is the deposit?
- What are the cancellation and refund terms?
- How many people does the space fit? Is there a minimum number of guests?
- Do you have a cocktail hour space?
- What package is available for rehearsal dinners or morning after brunch?
- Do you have an insurance policy?
- How many restrooms does the space have?
- Does the venue have disability access?
- Do you have a getting ready space?
- How many weddings do you have per day?
- Is the venue available to hire exclusively?
- Is there a smoking area?
- Are there any additional charges?
Logistic Questions
It’s also important to know what logistical questions to ask your wedding venue to understand how things will run on your special day. It’s essential that you determine a basic up plan, indoor/outdoor space, parking, accommodation and any restrictions. It’s also a good idea to talk about how you want to handle any last-minute details. After all, it’s best to plan ahead in order to avoid any surprises!
- Do you have a rain plan in case the event is held outdoor?
- Do you provide any provisional covered areas?
- Do you have a back up plan for a power outage?
- Is there parking on site or nearby? If so, is there an additional charge?
- Do you have a valet service?
- Is public transport easily accessible?
- Are you able to set up a shuttle service?
- What are the noise limits?
- Do you have a sound system and microphones?
- Do you have childcare options?
- Is there an area to store belongings?
- Is there a coat check for guests?
- Can we visit when you’re hosting a wedding to see the set up?
- Is there anything we should be aware of bringing that you don’t provide?
- Do you have a point of contact for the day?
- Do you have security?
- Is there anywhere guests can stay overnight?
Vendor Questions
A good wedding venue will have a wide variety of vendors they work with. One of the first things you should do is to ask the wedding venue what other vendors they are working with. You’ll need to know what services are offered, and if they recommend any. Not all venues will allow outside vendors, and in some cases, there may be restrictions on the type of vendor that can be used.
- Do you have your a preferred vendor list?
- Do you have any vendor restrictions?
- Do you have an on site coordinator?
- Is there space for a band or DJ?
- How much time do vendors have to set up?
- Do you provide assistance with setting up and cleaning up?
- Do you provide a service for delivering gifts?
- How many people does the dance floor space accommodate?
- Are there any photography restrictions?
- Do you have any special photo locations?
Food & Drink Questions
Food and drink are essential to any wedding. They provide entertainment, an opportunity to socialize, and delicious refreshments. While most venues will happily take care of the food and drink on your big day, there are a few things you should ask about. For example, the type of food, alcohol, and cake that are provided.
- Do you have a list of preferred caterers?
- Can we use caterers outside of this list? And is there kitchen space?
- Can we sample the food before selecting our menu?
- What is the tax charge?
- Do you have an in-house baker?
- Is there a fee for cake cutting?
- Do you have an alcohol license?
- Is there a minimum spend on alcohol?
- What bar options do you provide?
- Is there a corkage fee?
- Are there any food and drink restrictions?
- Are tables, chairs, plates, silverware, glassware and linens provided?
- Are there extra fees for waiting and bar staff?
- What different serving styles do you provide?
- How many meal choices do you offer?
Decoration & Rental Questions
Decorating for a wedding is one of the most important things that you can do to make your day memorable. You want to make sure that you take great care in selecting the right venue, selecting the right flowers and decor, and getting everything coordinated well in advance. However you should also be sure to talk to the venue about any potential issues that you may have before your big day. Some wedding venues may have strict rules about what decorations they will allow, as well as how they will be displayed. You don’t want to make it difficult for your guests to enjoy the experience by having them deal with a lot of extra obstacles. So to help you out, here are some questions that you can ask your venue when planning your wedding decor.
- Can we use our own decorations?
- Do you provide decorations?
- Do you have heaters (in case of cold weather) or umbrellas and fans (in case of warm weather)?
- When can we set up decorations?
- Are there any restrictions for decoration?
- Do you have high chairs for children?
- Do you provide any in-house signage?
- Are fireworks and sparklers permitted?
- Can we hang things from the ceiling or on the wall?
- Do you have photos of what the venue looks like during different seasons?
Every bride wants their special day to run as smoothly as possible. So make sure you set yourself up for success by asking these important questions. For more wedding tips, head to WedBoard. You’ll find advice for all aspects of your wedding including, A Guide to the Average Cost of a Destination Wedding, Top Tips for the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline, and How To Choose A Wedding Venue.
Featured image: David Bastianoni
