Questions You Need to Ask Your Wedding Venue Before Booking
Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the top priorities for any couple about to get married. Picking the wedding venue is one of the first things that you’ll do so that the rest of the wedding arrangements can be made accordingly.
Considering that a wedding venue forms the base for the rest of the arrangements, it is important to thoroughly consider your options before finally choosing the one you like the best. Know all the questions to ask a wedding venue so that you’ll know exactly what you are getting and there are no unexpected surprises.
Most Important: Questions to Ask the Venue About Availability & Cost
The most important factors to ask a potential wedding venue are availability and cost. If you can’t afford the venue or it’s not available when you need it then there’s no point in continuing to look at it. If you have a specific budget or a specific date in mind you’re going to be able to narrow down your venues a lot. Below are the first questions you should ask your potential wedding venue.
Questions to Ask About the Venue Details
The details are important when you’re talking about such a big event. Before you start looking at venues you should have some idea of your vision for the wedding. how big of a wedding you want to have, and what your deal breakers are. Ask a ton of questions about the details of the venue so you can find out if they can accommodate the specifics of your wedding.
Questions to Ask About the Venue About Vendors
The type of vendors you hire will be completely dependent on the venue’s policies. Get an idea upfront about which services are offered by the venue and which services you’ll need to hire a vendor for. You’ll also need to find out how strict the venue is about accommodating outside vendors. They may require you to use their in-house services or their preferred vendors.
Questions to Ask About the Wedding Venue About Timing
You’ll want to know the schedule for the wedding day so you can start planning accordingly. You may want to have programs or a schedule of events printed so everyone will know where to be and when. It is also necessary to know at what time the wedding venue will become available on the day of the wedding so that you can inform your vendors well in advance and plan your schedule accordingly.
Food & Drink Questions to Ask the Wedding Venue
For many couples, the most important parts of a wedding are the food and drinks. The easiest way to provide top notch wedding food is to choose a venue that has in-house catering. If not, you’ll need to find your own caterer. You’ll also want to check with your venue if they have their own bartenders and alcohol supply. Ask them plenty of questions about their food and drink options and make sure you get a taste!
Questions to Ask the Wedding Venue About Decor & Set Up
Wedding day setup will have a huge effect on the flow of your wedding. Decor will be really important for creating the aesthetic you want. Make sure you ask about the details of the venue and how they will accommodate your guests and your personal taste.
Questions to Ask the Wedding Venue About the Ceremony (If Applicable)
If you choose a reception venue that can double as your ceremony space you’ll need to ask some questions about the details. Depending on the venue, the logistics of having your ceremony on-site can be super simple or require some effort to change the space. Getting the ceremony details right is one of your top priorities during wedding planning so make sure you’re thorough.
Oddly Specific Wedding Venue Questions That May be Important to You
We’ve listed a bunch of questions that everyone should ask their wedding venue but the questions below may be important to your specific vision. Everyone’s wedding is different. You should customize this list with questions about your unique wedding ideas and needs. Ask yourself what’s important to you everyday and how you can incorporate those things into your wedding. Then, make sure you find a venue that can help bring your vision to life.
Don’t forget to add your own specific questions for your venue!
Wedding Venue Advice: Our Tips for Choosing the Best Option
While you’re on your search for the perfect venue, check for advice from a few websites and other brides. A few helpful hints can go a long way. Here are some of our best tips for choosing a wedding venue:
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Try to find a venue that only hosts one wedding at a time.
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Start searching early. Some venues will be booked up a year or more in advance. This will also give you time to look at a few extra spots in case you don’t find the one you love quickly.
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Consider an off-season date or a Sunday through Friday wedding if the venue will give you a discount.
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Keep the existing decor in mind when planning your decorations so that they won't clash.
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Look for a venue that suits your sense of style and desired wedding aesthetic.
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You’ll want at least 4 restrooms per 100 people at the wedding, so look for a venue that can accommodate that.
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Full service venues make your wedding planning a lot easier. You won’t need to hire as many vendors if the venue will take care of the food, hospitality, and security.Â
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Wedding day will be much simpler if you find a venue that can host both your ceremony and your reception.
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Get creative. Choose a venue that suits you and your partner’s dream whether it’s a church, a castle, a restaurant, or a traditional catering hall.
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Trust your gut. You will know when you’re in the right place (or the wrong one).
Choose the Perfect Wedding Venue for Your Wedding
Use our comprehensive list of questions to ask a wedding venue to find your perfect space. This covers all the major and minor details of a wedding venue. Knowing the best questions to ask venues can help you be prepared to make an informed final decision and also save you a lot of trouble later on. Your perfect venue will suit your style and aesthetic, be trustworthy and reliable, and be passionate about helping you pull off your dream wedding.
Check out some of the latest trends for weddings to get inspired for your big day.
I like your suggestion to ask about restrictions for candles or sparklers to avoid surprises. My cousin wants to choose a wedding venue ASAP since she just got engaged to be married and wants to get the most important details sorted out. Using your suggested questions should make it easier for her to find a wedding venue that’ll fit her needs! https://mysticalrosegardens.com/what-we-offer/
Thanks for the great info.
This gives lots of great info.
This gives lots of great info.
I didn’t even think of a lot of these questions. Good to know!
So many questions that I hadn’t thought of! These were so helpful when touring venues!
Such an important read. Don’t forget to negotiate. A lot of these places prices are not set in stone and cannot say YES if you don’t ask!
Great list!! I have many of these written down already but a few that I wouldn’t have thought about!
So many helpful tips! Thanks!
My sister is planning on getting married in about 3 months, and she is looking for a banquet hall where she can hold her reception about a week later. I like how you mentioned that the majority of wedding venues are flexible. Hopefully, my sister can find the right venue so that she can have a great reception. http://goldenterraceny.com/ballroom-package/