Shop Venues
In the budgeting post, we covered a little about the idea of an all-inclusive venue. We’re going to step back from that entirely here. All we will look at is questions to think about before shopping around and questions to ask your venue.
What to Think About:
Where do you picture your wedding?
Do you want your ceremony inside or outside?
Do you want your reception inside or outside?
What time of year do you want your venue? Make notes of specific dates to ask about.
Are you ok with a tent?
Is your wedding formal or casual?
How many guests will you invite?
Is it important to you to have catering included?
Is it important for you to have/not have alcohol at your wedding?
Will you be allowing children? Will you be involving pets?
What to Ask Your Venue:
Do you have [your preferred dates] still available?
Is there a space for the bride/groom to get ready?
Who provides tables/chairs?
“Walk me through an average wedding.”
How many weddings do you have in one day? In one weekend?
Is there a buyout option (if your venue has more than one wedding at any given time) and what does that cost?
Is there a payment plan?
Restrictions on decor?
Time limit? Does the town require quiet hours after a certain point?
What is your max capacity with a dance floor? Yes, this can absolutely change your venue’s max capacity answer! Our wedding venue lists 200 as their max capacity (legally, it is) but in order to have a dance floor, you can only have 150 people!
Do you require certain vendors? i.e. Do they have a specific catering company/photographer/videographer that you’re required to hire?
Do you require a day of coordinator?
Do you provide a day-of coordinator?
How early can I come in to decorate?
When do you have your rehearsals, if they’re on site?
Can buses, limos, vans, etc. park in your lot?
What is your pricing on [preferred] day? What is your pricing on an off-peak Saturday? What is your pricing for an off-peak off-day?
Do you provide standard flatware/dishware and linens? If so, what are they?
Do you have a list of preferred vendors?
What does your package include? If you don’t want alcohol, now is the time to ask if it’s included and if there’s a price change if you don’t want it.
This is by no means a fully-comprehensive list, but is certainly a good jumping-off point. I personally asked for venue contracts after meeting with them. This was a lifesaver for me. One of the venues we had initially considered had actually already booked the date we asked about (they told us it was available). While I was still sitting in front of them, I asked if I could see a paper copy of their contract because we’d like to go ahead and reserve that date, but I wanted to know what was involved before they sent us our individual paperwork. The individual working there and showing me the venue admitted that he had lied and they didn’t actually have that date still open, but he’d hoped (during the span of our conversation) to push us towards a different date which he had kept pressing.
I also can’t emphasize enough not to get discouraged! Your venue is out there for a price you can manage! Shop, shop, shop and ask all of the questions you have!
