The Most Important Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue

Deciding on a wedding venue can be exciting, but also stressful, if you don’t know the right questions to ask.  Venues often present their best features first, but it’s important to understand the full picture.I like to equip my brides with the right questions to ask so there are no surprises once they book the venue.This list of questions should cover most of what to think about when considering a venue for your wedding. It can be an overwhelming process! As an Alabama wedding planner, I am here to help you navigate these discussions.

What to Ask Before Booking the Wedding Venue

When initially considering a venue, you should ask about available dates, pricing, and capacity. You should also grab any general information packets or brochures to reference later. 

Questions to ask on a tour

Touring a venue is a great way to start envisioning whether the space would work for the type of wedding you want. You’ll want to have questions ready that help you understand guest seating capacity with the stage, dance floor and buffet if you’re including those elements in your event. Most venues will be able to provide sample layouts, too. Not every venue includes the same items in their contract, so you’ll want a good understanding of what’s included in the rental and the venue rules and policies.

On the tour you should ask to see the bridal and groom suites, the main event room, and the kitchen. You’ll want to look for available areas for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and it’s important to look at parking and signage, too.

It’s also important to understand the requirements around bartending and alcohol, and make sure the venue has liquor liability insurance and their general insurance coverage, as well.

Don’t forget to ask about nearby accommodations for your guests as well, especially if you have a lot of out-of-towners.

Questions to Ask Catering

What questions should you ask around the financial obligation?

ALWAYS make sure to review the contract regarding changes and cancellations. Not every venue lays out their terms in the same way so it’s important to get a good understand of what is (and isn’t included) in the rental fee. Sometimes venues have rules about working with outside vendors, so you’ll want to understand that as well. To avoid any addition surprise charges, you should also ask:

• Are there additional fees for usage of different rooms/areas?
• Are there any additional fees or minimum requirements?
• Are there service charges?
• Can outside rentals be brought in? Is there a fee associated?
• Are you required to choose vendors from a preferred vendor list?
• Do vendors have to pay a fee to work at a venue?
• Is there a fee to store or move existing furniture?

What to ask an outdoor (or partially outdoor) venue

What to inquire about regarding decor

Décor is often a big part of the wedding day, and you’ll want to make sure the venue can accommodate your vision. Some have strict rules around hanging items like drapes and lights. Many also have restrictions around candles, so make sure you understand what isn’t allowed from the start.

You’ll also want to get a good understanding around setup and teardown. If you anticipate an elaborate set-up, ask if the venue can be rented the day before. For any setup, you’ll want to understand the general time frame for setup and teardown.

What are some of the important questions that couples don’t always think to ask a wedding venue?

There is so much to review, it’s easy to forget some important questions. The good news is you can always loop back with the venue after your visit to ask whatever you forget. One of the biggest issues I run into with venues is that they always tell brides the maximum capacity for guest count, but they don’t consider a stage, dance floor, buffet, cake table, any other items that will take up space on the floor plan, so it really gives brides false hope that they can invite more than the true capacity.

You’ll also want to ask if other events are happening at the venue at the same time because that may impact parking or security.

Other items to inquire about:

• When is the final payment due?
• Is security provided?
• Are there noise restrictions?
• Does the venue provide the AV equipment?
• Is the venue ADA accessible?

Venues should expect and welcome questions so don’t be shy in asking. A venue that’s accommodating and easy to work with makes the wedding planning process so much easier. Searching for an Alabama wedding planner? I’d love to support you! Contact me here.