You want to make the most of your wedding venue. This is where you’ll say “I do,” and it’s a spot you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You don’t want to miss out on anything important. When you’re considering venue locations, how do you even know where to begin?
This guide will share the most valuable questions to ask your wedding event venue. Asking questions will help you gain perspective about the different benefits of each location so you can make the most of your time. Planning a second wedding is hard work. You want everything to run smoothly from start to finish. Make sure you keep these questions in your wedding planning arsenal so you don’t get caught off guard on your big day.
1. How many events does the venue host in a day?
Some venues book multiple events on the same day. This might be fine if they’re at different times or if you’re considering a large property with several locations. However, you need to feel confident that your team has the dedication and manpower to pull off your special day. If their event crew will be rushing between setting up your event and the next one, that might not leave much room for customization.
While a multi-event venue isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, you should ask how their team handles these events at once. Will they have enough time to set up your wedding? Will you feel rushed if your event runs over its allotted time? It’s worth asking so you know what to expect.
2. Is there a preferred vendor list?
Venues often partner with selected vendors. These have been vetted by the vendor and are familiar with their location and how they operate events. Some event spaces even have exclusive vendors, and this means you’re limited to using these vendors alone. An exclusive vendor can be pricey, so you’ll want to be clear about all of these costs and expectations upfront before you sign a contract.
3. What’s included in the price?
Before agreeing to a price, talk about what’s included. Some venues include requirements like food and beverage minimums. On the other hand, the venue might come with linens, tables, and chairs, and that can cut down on outside costs. You’ll need to understand the minimums of the venue as well as whether they provide catering so you can work it into your budget.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a detailed estimate. You don’t want to get caught off guard with an unexpected bill, later on, so make sure everything is included. Some common areas that are easily overlooked included late-night snacks, bar costs, rental fees, after hour fees, and clean-up costs.
4. What makes the property unique?
While you’ll want to visit your locations in person to get a feel for them yourself, you should always ask about special elements. Depending on the time of year, there might be a special event you don’t know about or maybe the flowers turn a unique shade of purple in the spring.
These are the little details that will help you narrow down venues. For example, the Chateau Polonez is a French-inspired palace in Houston, Texas that offers interior and exterior views you can’t find on this side of the world. You can learn more about their Houston wedding venue here, but don’t hesitate to ask about your own venues. You never know what you might discover.
5. Are there any things we should avoid?
Finally, you can learn from your venue’s past mistakes and successes. Not every wedding runs perfectly, and that’s just a reality of the industry. The venue knows how to make the most of the space. No matter your vision, ask them what works and what doesn’t. You might think a coral color scheme is perfect, but they might have a good reason for why it’s not the best choice.
It’s hard to trust others with big decisions on your wedding day. While you should stay in charge of the planning process, listen to the expertise of your venue. This will only help you create the magical experience you’ve been dreaming of.
Asking the right questions is key.
When you’re planning your wedding, you’re going to discover you have a lot of questions. This is a normal part of the process. Keep an open dialogue with your venue to see how they can help you throughout this time. They know weddings inside and out.
Now that you know the right questions to ask, you’re prepared to explore the venues in your area. When you ask clear questions, you won’t find yourself facing any surprises on your wedding day.
