Questions to ask a potential venue (for ceremony & reception) - please help

TeddiD34

Hello,
I had a look on tk site, but couldn't find a good list of questions to ask a possible location to have our wedding. We are going to check one out tomorrow morning and I don't want to miss anything.

Can anyone point me to where on tk site I can find one, or let me know what you found helpful asking your own venue prior to booking?

Thanks a bunch!

harper0813

Real Simple being my bible and all, this is the one I used: http://www.realsimple.com/m/weddings/planning/askweddingvenue00000000000558/index.html

harper0813

Can't edit my last post, since I'm on my phone and it sucks like that. I also have asked whether they'll serve beers not currently on their list, if they provide microphones and speakers for speeches and ambient music and possible ceremony music, if they can rent chairs and tablecloths for me at a discount, whether they offer specially priced vendor meals, and if they have anyone on staff that could help carry presents to the car at the end of the night.

AddieCake

I printed questions from herecomestheguide.com. 

TeddiD34

Thanks ladies, these will be helpful (and I do know how to use Google; I just thought this would be more of an insiders' pov).

harper0813

Sometimes google turns up sucky results. Like if you google bridesmaids' duties, google will tell you that they're expected to practically plan your wedding. We are here to help!

TeddiD34

'much appreciated

TeddiD34

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_questions-to-ask-a-potential-venue-for-ceremony-reception-please-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:6a0c4095-cd83-4bbe-86dd-f81e6b9b8124Post:ad9f610d-137f-4e80-afc8-0f741dd2fd33">Re: Questions to ask a potential venue (for ceremony & reception) - please help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Questions to ask a potential venue (for ceremony & reception) - please help : Wasn't trying to be mean, but for your particular question google has some great suggestions. I read through a bunch of those lists and then wrote down the ones I wanted to ask, and ignored the rest.
Posted by Liatris2010[/QUOTE]

No worries, Liatris. I didn't think you were being mean at all. I usually google the hell out of everything, but I don't trust it b/c of exactly what zoberg said ("duties of bms, etc").

If only Google had good etiquette...

[Deleted User]

-is coat check offered?
-how is tipping of servers handled (included in price or seperate)
-security, is it available & is there an extra charge
-Where are gifts/card box set up & does anyone keep an eye on it (I know I'm sounding like I don't trust anyone, but I had a guest that I had to invite that I didn't trust & one I was worried about making a scene)
-Special bathroom for bride?
-What brand of beer/booze/wine is included in bar?
-If you don't like what they serve at the bar, can you bring in your own stuff
-Linens, are they included if not, can they recommend someone for rental
-Centerpieces, included? Several places in my area offered centerpieces where you just had to provide the candles for
-Cake? Included in price or not?
-How early can florist, baker, dj get in for set up?
-When do you need final head count
-When do you require a downpayment & how much, when if final payment due & most importantly, what forms of payment do you accept
-Cancellation/reschedule policy (you hope you won't need it but if there is an unexpected illness or bad weather situation (hurricane, tornado, snowstorm)
-What is cost if reception runs longer then originally scheduled
-Parking, is valet available & how much
-Depending on your guest list, is there a different price charge for kids under a certain age & do they have booster seats/high chairs available
-Can they accomodate special meal needs such as vegetarian or food allergies (chicken, nuts, etc)
-Who will take care of cutting up cake & then wrapping it up for guests to take home
-What if any type of restrictions do they have

Hope this helps you out, good luck & have fun planning.

TeddiD34

Awesome list, Erikan! Thanks for that.
Thank you, I will!

renegade gaucho

Be sure to ask them how far in advance your prices for food and beverages are locked in, as venues increase their prices periodically to account for their increased costs.  At our venue, for example, we were not guaranteed to get the prices listed on the menu at the time we booked.  Our head count was due two weeks before the wedding, and our contract stated that whatever their prices were on that date would be what we would pay

honeyjade22

FEES.

Corckage, cake cutting, tax and processing fees. Our venue charged 4.5% for payments made by CC and tax was a bit of a shocker. Make sure they make it clear to you what their little fees are (because they can really add up) and if there is a way to avoid them.