Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venue During the Tour
How many people does the space accommodate?
The capacity of the venue directly correlates to your budget. If you love the space but it only fits 50 people, and your guest list is close to 300 you have to decide if the venue or your guest count is more important to you.
How many people does the space accommodate?
Why you want to know: A venue’s capacity directly relates to your guest list, and therefore, your budget. If you love the space but it only fits 75 comfortably, and your guest list is looking more like 200 (plus all your pros!), you have to decide if having the venue or your guest count is more important to you.
What’s the walking/driving distance from the ceremony location?
Why you want to know: If you’re hosting your wedding ceremony and reception in different locations and not providing transportation for your guests, you’ll need to know how long it’ll take them to get from one site to the other. Also ask what the traffic is like around the time of your wedding to ensure your guests won’t get stuck on the road.
Is the venue near guest hotels, and can you recommend any?
Why you want to know: This could impact your decision to book the venue if guests have to drive a long way to get from their hotel to the venue and back (especially if transportation isn’t provided). Usually, anything over 30 minutes is a big ask—especially if you’re having an after-party with lots of drinking, which brings us to the next question.
Is public transportation an option?
Why you want to know: You’ll want to know if the venue’s close to any public transportation, or if there are cab or driver services in the area for guests to use. After all, nobody should be driving a car after consuming alcohol.
What kinds of aesthetic features do you have?
Why you want to know: It’s important to make sure that any standout features the venue has blends with your décor vision. For example, is there a rooftop or pool? Is it on the waterfront? Are there any breathtaking views, incredible interiors or nature areas?
What kinds of services do you offer?
Why you want to know: You’ll want to know for your budget’s sake whether the venue has an in-house caterer and any all-inclusive packages for the site and food (and if any special dietary restrictions can be honored, like a kosher menu), if any rentals/pros are included (like microphones, linens and a full waitstaff) and whether an on-site venue coordinator can help. Don’t assume that everything is included.
Does your venue have…?
- A tent, if you want an outdoor wedding ceremony or need a backup plan?
- A backup plan in general, in case your first option needs to be changed due to inclement weather on your big day?
- Space for your ceremony, if you want to use the venue for both your ceremony and reception?
- Cocktail hour space, especially if you’re having the ceremony and reception at the venue?
- A separate room for childcare if you’re having an adults-only wedding and providing a babysitter?
- A coat check for winter weddings?
- A dressing room to store belongings, get ready in before the ceremony or change during the reception?
- ADA-compliant facilities and entrances, for disabled or elderly guests?
- On-site hotel rooms, to minimize transportation, secure a room block or potentially rent out the property?
- Parking for your guests?
- Ample restrooms for your guest count?
What’s your outdoor space like?
Why you want to know: If you’re set on an outdoor party, make sure there’s enough room that will comfortably fit guests, pros and rentals for the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and areas you like for photos.
What’s your electricity like?
Why you want to know: This question is twofold: You want to know if the venue has enough outlets and power for every pro requiring electricity, and you also want to get an idea of the lighting. Is it extremely fluorescent or dim? Are they able to project the uplighting hue you want onto the dance floor? These are all important things to know—especially for evening receptions.
How many hours does our rental cover?
Why you want to know: Besides the actual ceremony and reception, you’ll want to know the exact time your pros can arrive to start setting up on your wedding day (they usually need at least two hours, if not more) and what time they need to be out by so they know when to start breaking down. You don’t want to be charged extra if the venue has to keep the lights on for 30 more minutes.
and so the amount of people we have will affect your budget. If you love the space but it only fits 75 comfortably, and your guest list is looking more like 200 (plus all your pros!), you have to decide if having the venue or your guest count is more important to you.
What’s the walking/driving distance from the ceremony location?
Why you want to know: If you’re hosting your wedding ceremony and reception in different locations and not providing transportation for your guests, you’ll need to know how long it’ll take them to get from one site to the other. Also ask what the traffic is like around the time of your wedding to ensure your guests won’t get stuck on the road.
Is the venue near guest hotels, and can you recommend any?
Why you want to know: This could impact your decision to book the venue if guests have to drive a long way to get from their hotel to the venue and back (especially if transportation isn’t provided). Usually, anything over 30 minutes is a big ask—especially if you’re having an after-party with lots of drinking, which brings us to the next question.
Is public transportation an option?
Why you want to know: You’ll want to know if the venue’s close to any public transportation, or if there are cab or driver services in the area for guests to use. After all, nobody should be driving a car after consuming alcohol.
What kinds of aesthetic features do you have?
Why you want to know: It’s important to make sure that any standout features the venue has blends with your décor vision. For example, is there a rooftop or pool? Is it on the waterfront? Are there any breathtaking views, incredible interiors or nature areas?
What kinds of services do you offer?
Why you want to know: You’ll want to know for your budget’s sake whether the venue has an in-house caterer and any all-inclusive packages for the site and food (and if any special dietary restrictions can be honored, like a kosher menu), if any rentals/pros are included (like microphones, linens and a full waitstaff) and whether an on-site venue coordinator can help. Don’t assume that everything is included.
Does your venue have…?
- A tent, if you want an outdoor wedding ceremony or need a backup plan?
- A backup plan in general, in case your first option needs to be changed due to inclement weather on your big day?
- Space for your ceremony, if you want to use the venue for both your ceremony and reception?
- Cocktail hour space, especially if you’re having the ceremony and reception at the venue?
- A separate room for childcare if you’re having an adults-only wedding and providing a babysitter?
- A coat check for winter weddings?
- A dressing room to store belongings, get ready in before the ceremony or change during the reception?
- ADA-compliant facilities and entrances, for disabled or elderly guests?
- On-site hotel rooms, to minimize transportation, secure a room block or potentially rent out the property?
- Parking for your guests?
- Ample restrooms for your guest count?
What’s your outdoor space like?
Why you want to know: If you’re set on an outdoor party, make sure there’s enough room that will comfortably fit guests, pros and rentals for the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and areas you like for photos.
What’s your electricity like?
Why you want to know: This question is twofold: You want to know if the venue has enough outlets and power for every pro requiring electricity, and you also want to get an idea of the lighting. Is it extremely fluorescent or dim? Are they able to project the uplighting hue you want onto the dance floor? These are all important things to know—especially for evening receptions.
How many hours does our rental cover?
Why you want to know: Besides the actual ceremony and reception, you’ll want to know the exact time your pros can arrive to start setting up on your wedding day (they usually need at least two hours, if not more) and what time they need to be out by so they know when to start breaking down. You don’t want to be charged extra if the venue has to keep the lights on for 30 more minutes.