Top 10 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue Before You Book
Exploring wedding venues is one of the most exciting steps in planning your wedding. Sometimes it’s love at first sight, but when in doubt it’s the details that truly determine which wedding venue will be the perfect fit for you. To help you get started on your path to finding the perfect venue, we’re sharing the top 10 questions to ask your wedding venue before you book that will help you decide which wedding venue deserves the honor of hosting your big day.
What are your capacity limits?
Before you make up your mind on a venue, it’s important to have an accurate estimate of the guest list. Just like any establishment, wedding venues have capacity limits, however, some wedding venues also have minimum requirements. Wedding venues will occasionally allow you to pay the difference if the minimum requirement isn’t met, but since this can have a dramatic effect on the overall price, it’s best to determine an estimate and ask your wedding venue before signing the contract.
What is included in the total venue cost?
The price that is presented by the wedding venue can have many variables, so in order to compare the total cost accurately, you need to get specific with the questions you ask your wedding venue. Don’t assume that basic equipment is included in the total, as many items are often rented for an additional fee. Some common items to ask your wedding venue whether or not they are included are:
Chairs
Linens
Dining Ware
Lights
Speakers
Microphones
When is my deposit and remaining payments due?
The wedding venue constitutes a large expense, and if your wedding date is in the distant future you may plan on using that time to save. Wedding venues normally ask for a deposit at the time of signing, but how much that deposit is and when the remainder is due can vary. Don’t be afraid to ask the wedding venue how flexible they are with payment plans and due dates if the initial deposit they are asking for is more than you’re comfortable with.
How does my date affect my price?
Some couples have a very specific date in mind when it comes to their wedding day, but if you are flexible with your dates, it can reduce the total cost. Many wedding venues have slow seasons as well as slow days that offer heavily discounted prices. Even the time of your event can change the price by a few thousand dollars, so if possible be prepared with multiple dates.
Do you have any referrals?
One of the best ways to get honest feedback about hosting a wedding at a particular wedding venue is by asking to speak to couples who have already done it! Although some wedding venues may be restricted due to privacy policies, a willingness to share referrals is a good sign that the venue is confident in the experience they offer.
What are your alcohol requirements and/or restrictions?
Whether or not a wedding is dry isn’t always up to the couple. Sometimes this is actually due to venue restrictions as not every venue able to host a wedding is licensed to provide alcohol services. After verifying alcohol is permitted, consider following up with questions such as:
Can we see your bar menu and pricing?
What are the taxes and service charges?
Is there a bar minimum?
Are there additional charges for bar staff?
Can we bring our own wines and champagnes for tables?
Is there a corking fee?
What are your catering requirements and/or restrictions?
Although you may not need a license to serve food, catering can also have certain restrictions. Some wedding venues require you to use their catering services while others charge a fee for you to outsource. If you are having trouble deciding whether to use the venue’s services or a 3rd party, ask the wedding venue these questions to help guide your decision:
Menu and prices
Can you schedule a taste test?
Is there a taste testing fee?
Do they have a kitchen for your caterer?
Fees for providing your own catering?
Can you bring your own cake?
Is there a cake cutting fee?
Does this venue have a curfew or noise restrictions?
With a room full of excited people celebrating a wedding, it’s common for the rooms decibels to rival those of a rock concert. Depending on the location of the wedding venue, the cut off time for excessive noise can be earlier than you might expect, so if you plan to keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning, asking your wedding venue when they require you to cut the power is in your best interest.
Can I see a sample contract?
There are few people that enjoy sitting down and reading through lengthy contracts, but when it comes to wedding venues it can be one of the best methods for verifying the details. Test how flexible they are with changes to the contract, and make sure they include their cancellation policy for both you and themselves.
Can I host my ceremony here?
If you are in love with your wedding venue, you may choose to host your entire wedding in one location. Since the ceremony has different requirements than the reception, ask the wedding venue before you book whether or not this is possible, where the ceremony would be held, and the cost of the ceremony fees so that information can be included in the contract.
Bring Your Dream Wedding to Life
Picking the perfect wedding venue goes a long way in bringing your dream wedding to life. Consider everything that is important to your big day and never be afraid to ask potential wedding venues too many questions. Once you’ve dotted your I’s and crossed your t’s, you can bask in the excitement knowing you’ve found the perfect place to host your celebration!
Contact us for more information on how we can tell your love story. We would love to walk you through our amazing packages, wedding albums, canvases, and other print photography products. We look forward to providing you with more information on our Wedding Videography and Wedding Photography and the opportunity to introduce you to our team!