Shopping for the perfect location for your special day can feel exciting and overwhelming. There are a number of factors and details to consider when choosing a wedding venue. We’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of important questions you should ask your wedding venue before booking and paying deposits.

1. What dates are available at the venue?

First, off the bat, is there availability for the dates you are looking at? If you have chosen a date, or at least a few that you can pick from, you need to find out if the venue has the dates available for you. The majority of weddings take place on weekends, these can get booked up pretty quickly so consider enquiring long before your date.

2. How many people can the venue accommodate?

You’re likely to already have a list of people you would like to invite. Thus it is important to make sure that your venue can fit everyone in. If you’re opting for a smaller reception, also think about whether or not the venue might be too big and whether there will be too much empty, unused space. You would either need to spend the money on filling these spaces or consider a venue more suitable to the size of the party.

3. Does the venue offer packages?

You might also want to find out if the venue offers packages and what exactly is included in these packages. There are a few venues out there that offer just the empty shell and you are expected to bring in everything else. However, there are plenty of venues that offer packages in which furniture, cutlery, crockery, glassware and so on are included. It is then up to you to decide whether or not you like what they have on offer and take it from there.

4. What are the venue’s payment terms?

What is the venue’s payment plan? Is full payment required upfront or are they happy for you to pay a percentage of the bill to secure the venue and then the balance the week of the wedding? Payment plans tend to vary from venue to venue, as well as change in different seasons.

5. What time can the event setup and takedown happen?

What time can external suppliers access the venue and when do they need to be cleared out? This is a question many couples don’t initially ask but it impacts the layout of the day, as well as hiring fees.

6. Does the venue offer overnight accommodation?

Is there accommodation at the venue, or at least close by, that you and your family can stay at for the wedding? If the wedding is a bit out of town, maybe try to get a list of hotels or guest houses that you can include in the invite, in case people are wanting to stay over.

7. What are the catering options?

Does the venue have in-house catering or is this something that is needed to be brought in? If so, it’s possible they also have some caterers that they work closely with and know the venue well. It might be worth your while getting a list of the venue’s preferred suppliers.

There are so many questions to ask a potential wedding venue, and it will differ from venue-to-venue as well as couple-to-couple. These are just a few that will start you off. When viewing wedding venues ask these questions and you’ll be well on your way to finding your perfect location.

Happy hunting!

If you need extra support, our skilled wedding planners can assist you throughout the entire planning journey, from selecting a suitable venue to curating the ideal decorations. With our expert guidance, you can simply sit back and savour your big day, with the assurance that every aspect has been handled meticulously. Get in touch with us today to begin planning your dream wedding!