Best Questions to ask at venue tours..

mrsRAJAB

Hello ladies!

I'm going to my first venue tours within the next few weeks and wanted to know useful questions that I may forget to ask in the midst of being excited!

Any questions you forgot to ask your venue sites or any questions that should be answered before leaving on the first visit?

 

Thanks dolls!

theartistformerlyknownas

When can you (or whomever) get in to set up centerpieces, or do they do it for you? Who's responsible for cleanup? I.e. do you have to remove table linens? Any restrictions on petal tossing, candles, anything else? What's the seating sitch for cocktail hour? Reception seating - tables of 8 or 10? If 10, ask to see one so you can tell if that's too crammed. Lots of places try to fit more people at a table than is comfortable. Can you BYOB? It's much cheaper to provide all the booze yourself and not pay markup. Consumption or open bar? If you have a decent chunk of non-drinkers, consumption could cost you less. How are you charged for partially-used bottles of booze? What are the options for kids' meals, if you're inviting any? Half price buffet meal or a different plated option? (Mine is serving organic chicken nuggets, buttered noodles and fruit cup to the kidlets.) Price break for vendor meals? When do you need to get your centerpieces out? Will they store them overnight or do you have to take them with you when you leave? Self-parking or valet? If your ceremony is there/outside, what's the contingency plan for rain? If you're getting ready there, ask to see the space, and the path you'll take from there to the aisle. What the hell is happening to my line breaks?!

mrsRAJAB

lolo883 said:

When can you (or whomever) get in to set up centerpieces, or do they do it for you? Who's responsible for cleanup? I.e. do you have to remove table linens? Any restrictions on petal tossing, candles, anything else? What's the seating sitch for cocktail hour? Reception seating - tables of 8 or 10? If 10, ask to see one so you can tell if that's too crammed. Lots of places try to fit more people at a table than is comfortable. Can you BYOB? It's much cheaper to provide all the booze yourself and not pay markup. Consumption or open bar? If you have a decent chunk of non-drinkers, consumption could cost you less. How are you charged for partially-used bottles of booze? What are the options for kids' meals, if you're inviting any? Half price buffet meal or a different plated option? (Mine is serving organic chicken nuggets, buttered noodles and fruit cup to the kidlets.) Price break for vendor meals? When do you need to get your centerpieces out? Will they store them overnight or do you have to take them with you when you leave? Self-parking or valet? If your ceremony is there/outside, what's the contingency plan for rain? If you're getting ready there, ask to see the space, and the path you'll take from there to the aisle. What the hell is happening to my line breaks?!

wonderful! thank you!

LadyMillil

If you have to do X price per person for alcohol, do you have to pay for people who can't drink?

I didn't have to pay the per person cost for alcohol for pregnant SIL and cousins who are adults but can't legally drink. Unfortunately, I did have to pay the per person for people like my sister who chooses not to drink.

ETA: Is there a corkage fee if you bring your own alcohol? 

If BYOB, do you need to hire a bartender or do they provide one? If they provide one, what is the cost?

Is there a cake cutting fee?

Is a meal tasting included?

tortoisebride

Half of these are caterer/all inclusive venue questions.

• Can we do a rehearsal?
• What is the payment schedule?
• Do you have restrictions on which vendors we can use? Caterers, florists, photographers, cake bakeries?
• What taxes and gratuities should I add to the quote you've given me?
• (If using an outside caterer) is there a kitchen space the caterer can use?
• Will the be a day-of coordinator?
• If we want to use an iPod for music, do we need to bring our own sound equipment?
• Which spaces (including entryways & walkways!) will be exclusive to our event? Which might be shared with other events?
• What's included in the per plate/venue price? Food, cake, linens, flatware, dishes, drinkware, bartender, day-of coordinator, servers, equipment (e.g. chafing dishes, serveware), setup, cleanup, extra tables for presents guestbook etc?

ETA two more: 

• Do you have pictures of / can I visit the venue when it's set up for a wedding?
• is there a ceremony space? if we have our ceremony here, is there an extra fee?

singinchick13

I also found it important to know if there will be other weddings taking place there on the same day. Find out if all taxes/gratuities have been applied to any prices given or if they will be additional costs. If you plan to do a fair amount of decorating ask about hanging things from the walls/ceilings, and if they allow confetti (many places don't). Ask if the dancefloor is included in the price or has to be rented separately. Find out where alcohol can/can't be consumed (indoor/outdoor if applicable) and where smokers can go to do that.

huskypuppy14

Ask if the service charge is a gratuity for the servers/bartenders or is it a service charge to the venue.