Questions to ask when reviewing venues

JCjig · June 2011

Hi All: Is there a comprehensive or at least solid list of questions one should have in the pocket when meeting venue managers? I have several appointments set up this weekend. I'm sorta rushing around to make the appointments and I really haven't had time to think about what to ask beyond the obvious. We want a cocktail hour, seated dining and dancing in Jan. 2012. Any pointers out there? Should I look up a website?

Thanks!

BlissfullyTired · June 2011

I asked how many servers based on my intended number of guests?
Do they provide a captain or day of coordinator?
What champagne, wine, etc, brands of liquor? Cordials?
Cappuccino, espresso?
Ceremony options?

BlissfullyTired · June 2011

PS Remember to try to bargain - it never hurts to ask.

sgdc2011 · June 2011

Set up of the room (where the Dj /band is set up) where will the bar be.
How many Bars/bartenders for your size party?
How many servers?
What time can you come to take pictures if you plan to arrive early?
Is there a different price for those under 21/under 12?
Vendor meals? (my contracts required them to have hot meals some venues opnly provide sandwiches)
How many the ballroom can fit comfortably?
How many seats are provided for the cocktail hour (we were big into everyone having a place to sit)
Bridal suite?

mcjays · June 2011

Is there a maitre d' fee? Is there a fee if your reception runs over? If you're getting married in the colder moths - is coat check included? Is valet included? Will there be another wedding going on at the same time? Do vendors need general liability insurance? Do they offer tastings?

Also - don't forget to look at the bathrooms to see what sort of shape they're in. We saw a couple of really nice venues with not so nice bathrooms.

Babycakes SE · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_questions-ask-reviewing-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:766b63d5-cee5-4e00-8d8f-226a693b072bPost:0e6f0467-515e-422d-8002-80927a3d507a">Re: Questions to ask when reviewing venues</a>:
[QUOTE]PS Remember to try to bargain - it never hurts to ask.
Posted by BlissfullyTired[/QUOTE]

EXACTLY! and go low! like if you know you want $5 dollars off the price pp, go for $15 or $10 off and work your way up. Even if you only get a few bucks off you can always ask for upgrades instead of cash off (for example, we got Filet instead of Prime Rib, and they threw in the Vienese table for free).

If you have your ceremony and reception at the same place see if there is a ceremony fee.

Who sets up the room? I had to hire a DOC because of this... since I used lanterns instead of flowers I needed someone to set up my centerpieces and decorate (normally the florist would take care of flowers).

Ask if they have recommended vendors or mandatory vendors... some places are starting to require that you use their vendors and it can be pricier than if you looked your self.

Ask if you get to choose your drinks on tap and if you get to request certain liquors. (we requested Sam Adams on tap, and asked them to have Jameson on hand).

Ask if you can pop back in when the room is set up for a reception (its nice to see the room put together if its not already done). Helps give a better visual.

Tastings are great, but not too many let you do a tasting before you book. BUT i would say that you should still get a tasting this way you know what to pick for your menu.

Hope that helps! Enjoy looking :o)

christin228 · June 2011

In addition to all of the above questions, here are a few I could think of...

- What time will you and your vendors have access to the venue?

- If you are doing DIY centerpieces like I am, ask if there will be anyone at the venue that can assist in placing the centerpieces, or if you or someone else can go in beforehand to set them up.

- If you want candles, ask them if they allow it. Lots of venues don't. My best friend just assumed that she could, and she got personalized votives, ojnly to find out the day of the wedding that the venue would let her light them, so she had unlit votives on all the tables.

JoBell123 · June 2011

TK has a book called "The Book of Wedding Lists" that was a huge help when interviewing venues and vendors.

mbcdefg · June 2011

We were able to get $5pp knocked off the price by guaranteeing 125 people instead of their usual minimum of 100.

We visited one place that wouldn't set up any centerpiece stuff for us (I had little candleholders I wanted to use and was toying with the idea of DIY centerpieces). We either had to get the florist/hire a DOC to do it, or come in early and do it ourselves. So ask what they will and won't setup/break down for you.

We had thought about doing homemade treats or home-brewed beer for favors at first, so if you want to bring in any homemade food (or food/cakes made by another vendor other than their in-house caterer), ask. MH had a special beer shipped in from Wisconsin and my mom brought Jameson for a special toast, so ask about bringing in special liquor if you have that in mind. We wound up doing a photobooth for the favors and we needed permission from the venue, as well as their doorways' measurements, so if you want a photobooth brought in then ask about that. (We also asked our photographer if that was a violation of our contract with him, luckily he was cool with it.)

Also, do you have any guests with special needs or who use wheelchairs? I asked the first venue we visited about wheelchair access and MH looked at me and said, "Why? Who needs that?" And I replied, "Um, YOUR uncle." (To be fair, he doesn't see him often, but it was still funny.)

buttrflyah · June 2011

I went with a huge list of questions too and ended up not even having to ask much because they usually cover all the bases! I made sure though ask about every single little detail included and if there was a cost (cake, chiviari chairs, tipping everyone and their mother, etc etc).

One piece of advice also that worked well for me - don't say anything about your parents paying (if they are). I honestly think I got a better deal because they though FI and I were paying for the wedding ourselves.

Also like PPs said... NEGOTIATE. Everything is negotiable. If they say $XX per person, you go A LOT lower... let them meet you in the middle. Never be afraid to ask for ANYTHING. I just said things liek "What can you do about the ceremony fee? Its more than we've budgeted for" etc and they slash those prices!

Babycakes SE · June 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_questions-ask-reviewing-venues?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:766b63d5-cee5-4e00-8d8f-226a693b072bPost:dbd5f0ab-3a00-4b47-8a20-1cdfc678f3c7">Re: Questions to ask when reviewing venues</a>:
[QUOTE]I went with a huge list of questions too and ended up not even having to ask much because they usually cover all the bases! I made sure though ask about every single little detail included and if there was a cost (cake, chiviari chairs, tipping everyone and their mother, etc etc). <strong>One piece of advice also that worked well for me - don't say anything about your parents paying (if they are). I honestly think I got a better deal because they though FI and I were paying for the wedding ourselves. </strong>Also like PPs said... NEGOTIATE. Everything is negotiable. If they say $XX per person, you go A LOT lower... let them meet you in the middle. Never be afraid to ask for ANYTHING. I just said things liek "What can you do about the ceremony fee? Its more than we've budgeted for" etc and they slash those prices!
Posted by buttrflyah[/QUOTE]

Thats a great point! We actually had DH mother with us at the time because she just wanted to see the place, so the guy actually thought she was the one paying. So when she asked them to throw in the Vienese table for free he said yes because he thought it was a deal breaker for her! hahah explains the shock when he saw me whip out the checkbook when we concluded negotiations ;op

NicoleAnita · June 2011

I am kind of crazy and created a very extensive worksheet...but I don't know how to post it!!! So...I turned it into a picture so you can at least see what I did.

If anyone knows how to attach a word file let me know

KH 2012 · June 2011

hey i brought this along with one of my books

http://www.herecomestheguide.com/wedding-party-ideas/detail/questions-to-ask-your-location/

goodluck

brendapc · June 2011

These are great questions! I wish I had them when I booked my venue.....I didn't even try to negotiate! My loss!

Questions to ask when reviewing venues

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