SAYING ‘I DO’ TO THE PERFECT VENUE: QUESTIONS TO ASK EVERY WEDDING VENUE YOU TOUR
Choosing the ideal wedding venue means finding the perfect setting for the opening chapter of your lifelong love story. Before you sign on the dotted line and make your commitment official, it's essential to ask all the right questions to avoid hiccups and frustrations later on. In this blog post, we'll dig into the crucial questions you should ask your wedding venue before taking the plunge. From logistics to hidden costs, these questions will help you feel confident in your decision. This includes a FREE printable list of questions to bring along on your venue tours!
Although you may not need to ask all of these questions, you can use these as a template to fit the needs of how you want your day to look. When we were wedding planning, there were a few times we were given an overall venue cost; however, after dedicating time and energy into touring and narrowing and starting the commitment process, we were sent a quote that was much more expensive than the original… by thousands of dollars. Whether this was due to a food and beverage minimum, paying for a required venue day-of coordinator, or a seasonal upcharge for the time of year, having these questions on hand for your more serious candidates can help you avoid any unexpected issues in the future.
Cost Questions:
What is the venue fee?
Is there an additional fee for hosting the ceremony on-site?
Are there discounts for certain days of the week or seasons?
What is the cost of the deposit? Do you offer any packages, if so what do they look like?
Location Questions:
Is there onsite parking?
Is overnight parking allowed?
Are there shuttles included, or do you offer suggestions for shuttle services?
Is there an enforced quiet time where loud music can no longer be played?
If outdoors- what is the backup option for inclement weather?
Do you have photos of the landscaping from the season we are looking to get married in?
Vendor Questions:
Is there an in-house caterer?
Do you have a food and beverage minimum?
Do you have any required vendors?
Do you require a wedding planner or day-of-coordinator?
Do you offer a day-of-coordinator?
Is security included?
Who would be onsite for the day and evening during our event as the point of contact?
Are there any additional service fees, charges, or taxes we should be aware of?
Amenity Questions:
Do you have separate getting-ready suites?
Is a microphone and sound system included, or is that the responsibility of the DJ?
Is outside food and beverage allowed when getting ready in the morning?
What decorations/linens are included?
Who sets up the day-of decor?
Time Allocation Questions:
How many hours does the rental include?
Is there an option to pay for extra hours?
What time is the event required to be wrapped up?
What time must all of the areas be cleaned out?
Do you offer onsite rehearsals? If so, can we reserve the evening before or only the morning of?
Bonus: 3 Touring Tips
Videotape a full walkthrough (bring someone along to do this for you so you can be in the moment)
2. Record/time yourself walking down the aisle, so you know how long it takes in case you want to coordinate a special song in the future
3. Bridal suite: check to see if they have a separate bathroom, a steamer, mirrors, fridge, etc.
Check out the in-depth wedding binder template to stay organized throughout your planning journey!
This includes templates and tips for:
-Timelines
-Table Layouts/Seating Chart
-Contacts
-Vendor Specific Information
-Venue Comparisons
-Budget Tracker
-Task Delegation
-Decor Setup
-Inspiration: flowers, attire, menu, etc.
-Hair and makeup selection
AND MORE
