There are so many things to consider when choosing your dream wedding venue, and those minor details just don’t seem important when you are desperate to sign the wedding venue contract and seal that date.
However, there are details that will impact your budget and likely your enjoyment of planning your wedding. We will share some key questions and tips to make sure that you remove these worries from your plate, and get you one step closer to signing that wedding venue contract.
Guests and Numbers Questions
How many people can the venue accommodate for the ceremony? And for the evening reception?
This one is a tricky one, wedding venues can say that they hold a huge number, yet this may only refer to the reception space, or a particular area where you may hold the ceremony. Make sure you stipulate where you want to have the wedding ceremony and clarify the maximum number for this area.
What is the minimum number of guests that we can have attend?
It is important for you to know the minimum number of wedding guests, you need to be confident that you’ll meet this minimum number, as you will need to pay the difference between those who attended and that minimum number.
What is the charge for children? Do they count towards the minimum number?
If you are having children at the wedding, check what the cost is for the kids. Also, if you have food included in your package, check what they get! Sometimes wedding venues will charge for children completely separately so even if you meet minimum with kids included, they may charge for the children on top of your minimum charge.
Can you throw in any additional discounts?
What’s the harm in asking the question? If your wedding venue has a spa… see if you can get access or at least a hefty discount! If they have given you a higher price, see if they can reduce it. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Do you have liability insurance?
A boring but important question to ensure there are no nasty surprises.
What is the cancellation policy?
It’s important to ask in case of an unforeseen circumstance such as Covid, or a need to amend the date out of your control.
Are there any additional charges for the ceremony?
If it is possible to have the wedding ceremony at the venue, it is wise to check that there are no additional charges for this.
Questions for Designing a Stress-Free Wedding Day
Will there be a wedding coordinator available on the day?
The key to a stress-free wedding day really is to have a wedding coordinator being available on the day. They will support keeping things to time and making sure guests know where they are going. The Wedding Hand can support with coordinating your suppliers and helping make sure everything goes to plan should your venue not have a coordinator included.
When do we have access to the venue?
If you’re decorating your wedding venue yourself, you are likely to want to get access earlier, and ideally the day before so you can get it done easily. You’ll need to check there is no charge.
If you aren’t doing it yourself, you’ll need to check when your venue gives access to your suppliers and yourself so it can be ready in time on your wedding day. You could also ask if the bridal party (and potentially the grooms party) can get ready at the venue.
What is included in the rental fee for the design of the venue?
The venue may include some design for the venue, like flowers, candles, centre pieces and potentially drapes and design. Ask if they can support with the set-up on the day so you don’t need to worry about the design of the venue.
Is there a fee to take down items the next day?
You want to be able to bask in your newly wedded bliss the next day, so arrange to have some family and friends support the clear up effort. The venue may even offer a charge or do this for free for you, just make sure you’re clear on what you want to keep.
What’s the plan if there’s bad weather?
The venue will always have a plan if there is bad weather, ask them what that is and check you’re happy with it!
Is there time for a rehearsal?
There isn’t always allocated time for a wedding rehearsal (the movies aren’t always reliable!), so if you feel you need one, check the process for this and see if there is a charge and time for it.
Questions About The Wedding Reception
Are tables, chairs and the linens provided? Are plates, cutlery and glasses provided? Are there options?
This can be an unexpected cost, so ask the questions up front so you can bear them in mind for your budget.
Do you provide seating plans?
This is one of the best ways to save a lot of stress, last minute changes always occur with your seating plan, so save time, money and stress if your venue will do this on your behalf.
Do you provide food? Are there options available? Can we bring our own caterer? If so, do you have a list of preferred caterers?
All of these options are great, it’s just what you prefer, so make sure you can do what you want!
If they do suggest bringing your own caterer, check whether there is a kitchen available.
If they are providing the food, check they cover all the dietary requirements you’ll need at the wedding.
Is there a food and beverage minimum?
Is VAT included?
Is there a charge for bar staff?
Can we bring our own alcohol for a corkage fee?
This is sometimes allowed and sometimes not, very venue dependent. So ask upfront so you aren’t disappointed at a later point.
There’s so much to think of when you are trying to sign a contract with your wedding venue, don’t rush and get the answers to all your questions, after all, you only get married once!
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