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Questions for Venues

AmberMarieTXAmberMarieTX
1000 Comments Combo Breaker
in Texas-Dallas and Ft. Worth
I'm about to start doing my first venue visits... what are some questions I should remember to ask that may make a difference, especially in the final and actual price?

I plan to ask about:
Security Policy
Alcohol/Food Policy
Reception area decor rules
Bride/Groom dressing areas
minimum/maximum guest amount

What else should I be thinking of?
Disclaimer: Please excuse the above comment. I'm probably freaking out because there is less than one month to go. Thank you.
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Re: Questions for Venues

  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    How many can they comforably seat in all areas?
    What does the cost include:  hours? decor items? wedding coordinator? servers/attendants? champagne toast? set up/take down? linens? food/beverage/alcohol?
    What is the parking cost and situation?
    Hidden fees:  cake cutting, preset water/tea, removing chairs, menu changes, throwing petals, cleanup, etc.--ask if there are ANY fees not specifically discussed or in the contract.
    When can you have access to the venue and when must you be out?
    Rehearsal?
    Can you have candles/throw petals/birdseed/any other restrictions on decor?
    Do they have a preferred vendors list/can you bring your own?
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  • NMac2010NMac2010
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yep, I think Stephie pretty much summed it up! haha. I can't think of anything else that she didn't include.

    If you're doing an outdoor ceremony/reception, make sure to ask what their backup plan is in case of bad weather, and make sure you're happy with the inside option too if the weather is bad that day.
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  • Jeff and DeepthiJeff and Deepthi
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Seems like Stephanie got it all!!! Just look for hidden fees! That was a big one for us when we were looking.
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  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Good one, Nat!  Yes an outdoor plan B is very important.

    I remember looking at venues casually at the beginning and finding out that one venue charged to put water and tea on the tables before the reception.  I would have never dreamed to consider such a thing at that time.  After that I really tried to dig up every hidden fee I could think of to ask about.  I know Donnamarie just had the issue with her venue suddenly telling her if she wanted Chivari chairs, it would be $400 to remove the other ones.  Stuff like this can really be an unpleasant surprise down the line.

    Oh another one is venues will charge if you decide to hold the ceremony and reception in the same room and they have to "flip" or "turn" the room during the cocktail hour.  Basically if you make ANY changes as you go along in your planning, you have to ask if there's a fee.
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  • lesalyriclesalyric member
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011

    If the space is large enough, ask how many events they allow per day. A few places we looked at held morning and evening events and one even tried to fit three in one day!

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  • juliebug1997juliebug1997 member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    To piggyback on Lesa, if the ballroom is big enough (like at a hotel), check to see how much of the space you will be using and see if they have already booked some of the other parts for the same time as your wedding/reception.  A couple of times now, the hotels that we have used for prom have had other parties booked at the same time as our prom.  The biggest problem was the adult party with alcohol that was going on across the hall one year.  Our DJ was better than theirs and they kept thinking that it was okay to bring their drinks into the prom and dance with 18 year olds. 
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