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Venue Visit - What to ask?

muenginerdmuenginerd member
100 Comments 25 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
in Wedding Reception Forum
We are going to start seeing our first venues this weekend.  What are key things that you didn't think to ask?  We've got pricing from almost everyone, so I think we're going to break down exactly what's included in the pricing.

There will be some other questions too like:

-Is there more than one wedding on site that day... (no go for me)
-Is parking provided? (can get tight for parking during festival season here)
-Can we work with your distributor to make some changes to the bar menu? (FI is a craft beer freak and we want his favorite local brews there)

What else should we be asking?
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Re: Venue Visit - What to ask?

  • jessicabessicajessicabessica member
    2500 Comments Third Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    Something that I found useful was to ask what was included when you were looking through photo albums of prior events at the venue.  You might see a beautiful wedding, but you want to know if that couple rented other chairs beside what the venue provides, had extensive uplighting, etc.--all of which might be extra costs if you want your wedding to look like that. 
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  • lisabeatslisabeats member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Anniversary Name Dropper
    Make sure you know WHAT your price includes - linen, chairs, set up, cake cutting fees (can be outrageous!), taxes, tip, etc.

    Also, I think it would be helpful to know how your coordinator/contact there likes to be contacted. Is it okay to e-mail throughout the week, will you get a response? Is a monthly phonecall okay? I didn't do this, but I keep finding more and more questions to ask them. I expect good service because of how much money I'm spending, but I also don't want to be a nag.

    Other randoms: Who sets up what for the reception? How does decorating for the cocktail hour work? What happens in case of inclement weather? Are candles allowed? Is there a place for you and FI to share a bite before kicking off all the craziness? Will water be available to guests at the tables throughout the night?
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  • daria24daria24 member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary First Answer
    Most places will hold your date for a set amount of time until you sign a contract (one week, two weeks, 3 days, etc). Find out their policy.

    If the venue is also the caterer, how are tastings handled?

    Do you have to work with a list of approved vendors, can you use anyone, do they have any rules about vendors (ie that all vendors must have liability insurance, etc).

    Will they provide someone who will basically be your DOC?

    What is their payment schedule & cancellation policy?

    At my venue, at the time you sign a contract, you have to state an estimated guest count. You are then required to pay for at least 80% of that guest count. There was no penalty if you WAY underestimated, but if you wrote down 200 people, but then only invited 125, you were responsible for paying for 160 people anyway. So be careful if they have a policy like that. 

    Do they have a place for you and the wedding party to get ready? The groom & his WP? Or do you need to pay for that separately. 
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  • AddieCakeAddieCake member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    I printed lists from herecomestheguide.com for my vendors. 
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
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  • OwningAHome1981OwningAHome1981 member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited March 2013
    Ask if there's any ceremony fee if you choose to have the ceremony there. Most places charge for that.

    Also find out if they will be providing meals for your photographer and DJ/Band. The vendors will want to know that as well.
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  • jaclyn418jaclyn418 member
    First Comment
    I made a Word document with 30 questions that I'm asking each venue. Some of these questions are answered on their website or when we meet and take a tour. There's usually a few left over at the end that I need to ask. If you're interested, send me your e-mail address and I will send it over!
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