Questions for Venue

lavenderfields13

Me and my FI are going to look at our first venue on Tuesday! My aunt who will also be my maid of honor is coming along too since she lives in the area of the venue and she can give another opinion. I'm going to make a list of things I should ask. I feel like there's a lot of things I may not be thinking of so I want to get ideas from everyone else what I should definitely be asking about. The venue is a lodge at a camp site if that helps with any additional questions!

I feel kind of lost already in this wedding stuff.

phira

Get an idea of what's included--any catering? Tables, chairs, linens, etc?

Do they book other events for that day, or would you be the only event?

What are the fees or taxes? Ask to look at a sample contract for your proposed event (we got one for every venue we seriously inquired about).

What hours would you have the venue? Are you allowed to arrive early?

There are more questions, but that's what I've got for now.

KeptInStitches

Oh I think there was a really good list of questions on Chit Chat lately! I'll dig around and see if I can find it again.

Blue & White

Ask about liability insurance requirements for you and your vendors. Potential open dates near when you're looking

minskat30

How many people can it fit and how (rounds of 8? 10?)?

Are you allowed to pick your own caterer or do you have to use their approved list?  Same thing for other vendors (lighting, DJ, rentals)?  If the venue provides catering, can you do a taste test and do they provide several options of dining (banquet, for example, can save you money)?

Will there be a coordinator for the venue there the day of?

Can you rehearse there? If so, how are rehearsals set up (for example, say you are getting married on a Saturday and want to rehears on Friday...what if there is another event that day)?

How many weddings do they do in a year? In the month that you will be getting married?

How soon in advance do you have to get final numbers of guests to them?

Parking options (and cost related thereto) for guests?

Can you get ready at the venue (is there a seperate space for that and can you see it)?

That is all I can think of for now.

phira

Yes! Table sizes are important! My friend's wedding venue only had tables of 8 and tables of 6, and I know she was frustrated with having such small tables. (She loved the venue otherwise, so it wasn't a dealbreaker, just something to work around.)

labro

I think @minskat covered a lot of it. Bathrooms and wheelchair accessibility are great things to ask about too. @southernpeach89 loved one venue she looked at but the bathrooms were accessible only by stair and she had guests who were either wheelchair bound or had difficult getting up and down the stairs so that venue was out right away.

Peaseblossom55

This was my list of questions for vendors complied from friends who were married and various internet sights

Myself- Vegetarian and Lactose intolerant? Veggie option? Extra cost? Other dietary issues?

Min/max # of guest? Min. spending amt?

Who is there the day of? Their role? Anyone else?

Bathrooms # and location?

Events per night/per day?

Vendor recco’s? Can we only work with certain vendors?

Viennese Table? Cost? Mashed Potato Bar? Cost?  Add ons or take aways from price per person?

Area off limits? Private area for bridal party to freshen up?

Fees for smoking or clean up?

Fees for them to decorate? Any not allowed? ( like candles?)

When can we arrive( bridal party)?  When can vendors arrive?

Cocktail hour location? If it rains?

Cake cutting fee? Baker? In house? Can we go to any vendor?

Tasting before booking?  Tasting after booking?

Sound system for dj/band?

Times for evening reception? # of hrs? Noise/music restrictions?

Location of bar, dance floor?

Uplighting?

Do you have liability insurance? Do I need any? Does each vendor need any?

# bartenders? Fee? Liquor license? Corkage fees? Bar available the entire time of reception?

# servers per guest

Vendor meals? Kids meals (ages)?

Bathroom baskets ok? Restrictions?

Can pictures be taken on the grounds? Fees for this?

Payment schedule? When and how much and in what forms?

Number of weddings/events at a time? Separate areas? Separate bathrooms?

00kim00

Peaseblossom55 covered a lot. I'm using something similar (a campsite, essentially). Questions we had that haven't been covered yet are:
-can I see a sample of any items you provide (linens, tables and chairs, dishes and glassware)
-are there heat lamps outside if it's cold?
-do you do cleanup and breakdown or do I? Are there any fees associated with that?
-what is the parking situation? is there a fee? do you have valet?
-is there a time limit, and what is the cost for going over?
-are there any noise restrictions?
-does the location provide signage, audiovisual equipment, a guest book table, a gift table?
-what is the fee for renting the space, and what exactly does this include (catering, table, chairs, linens, lighting, etc.). What rentals are included in this price? What else do we need to provide?
-are there any additional costs- cleaning fees, insurance fees, security, etc.?
-do i need any permits or insurance for the wedding?
-if you see it done up for a wedding, ask if there's anything you see that costs extra
-what are the tax rates and related fees?
-is there a service charge on top of the bill? if so, how much? if there is an additional service charge, does it cover all tips?
-what is the cancellation policy?
-what forms of payment do they take?


Good luck!

lavenderfields13

Thanks so much everyone!