23 Top Questions to Ask While Touring Wedding Venues
It’s easy to become overwhelmed while touring wedding venues. Some brides are so taken with the beauty of the venue that they forget to ask some very important questions. Print this list and write in the answers at every venue you visit, so you can truly compare your choices after all of the tours.
- Be sure to go to the venue! You can’t make a decision on web photos alone, especially for outdoor weddings. It’s a good idea to try to tour at the time you plan to get married. The position of the sun before, during, and after your wedding will affect the comfort of you and your guests during the ceremony as well as affect your favorite areas for photographs. If the venue is outside near water, mosquitoes and cold air may be an issue.
- If the venue is primarily an outdoor venue, ask what their rain plan is.
- While visiting indoor venues, take note of the shape of the room. A strange shape may interrupt the flow of the party.
- Does the venue have an in-house caterer? Can you bring in any of your choosing, or is there an exclusive catering list? Will the in-house caterer cook to suit children, special diets, and ethnic tastes?
- Do they have a coat check & ample bathroom facilities? What is the parking situation?
- Is there a reception package & what does it include?
- Do they have enough chairs, tables, utensils, glasses, etc., for your guests or must you rent each item from an outside vendor? These costs really add up fast when you have to rent every fork, spoon, napkin, etc.!
- How long can you have the reception space for? Is there an overtime fee if you go over? Is there a minimum amount of time it must be rented?
- Is there a wedding coordinator who will be there on the day of your wedding? If so, what exactly are their responsibilities and what will fall into your or your planner’s hands? An experienced wedding planner can make your day a breeze.
- What is the payment schedule? What is the down payment? Are there any hidden costs? When are payments due? If planning an outside wedding, consider how many different vendors you will have to contract, direct and pay during your wedding.
- Will there be another wedding before/after yours? Will any other events be happening at the same time as yours?
- Are there kitchen & cooking facilities? If you hire an outside caterer, who will cleanup after the meal? Who will take out the trash after the ceremony?
- Is there a dress code you must inform your guests of?
- Do they have their liquor license? Can you bring in our own alcohol? Do they have a bar? If not, can you set one up? If you are bringing your own alcohol, who will serve your guests? Who will provide glasses, ice, etc?
- Is smoking allowed?
- Is the place air conditioned/heated?
- Are there regulations about what kind of music can be played? Must the music end at a certain time? Is there a decibel restriction? Do they have their own sound system? Being forced to end your wedding early because of a neighbor complaint would really put a damper on your day.
- Is there enough room for a band or DJ & dancing? Are there ample electrical outlets? Is there a dance floor?
- Is there a place for the bride & groom to change & relax? Are the bride and groom areas separated? Are the rooms big enough to hold wedding party and family? Can the wedding party get ready here on the morning of the wedding? Are there mirrors? Bathrooms? Space to hang dresses?
- Where are the best places for photographs?
- How much decorating will you have to do for this venue? Who will clean up the decorations?
- If the reception is at a different site from the ceremony, what is the distance? Do they have the same style? Can they accommodate the same number of guests?
- Is the venue accessible for elderly or handicap?
23 Top Questions to Ask While Touring Wedding Venues
