You’ve decided to tie the knot, congratulations! Now it’s time to go wedding venue hunting. With so many wedding venues located across the country, it’s understandable that you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with making a decision. To ensure you’ve found the right wedding venue for you, there are a lot of questions to ask wedding venues before you make your final decision, and lucky for you, Kombi Keg has done all the research. When making enquiries with potential wedding venues be sure to make note of some questions from this list!
1. Is the wedding venue available on the date you’ve chosen for your big day?
This one is a fairly obvious question to ask. There’s no point in asking any more questions if you can’t have your wedding on the date you need it. Ask the venue if they are available to host your wedding on the date you’ve chosen, or if they have any alternative dates that would work for you.
2. What is included in the venue hire package?
When researching potential wedding venues, make sure to ask what is included in the venue hire package. This will help you compare different venues and decide which one offers the best value for money. Some questions you might ask include: Are tables, chairs, and linens included? Is there a cake-cutting fee? Can you organise your own caterers and mobile wedding bars?
3. Are there any curfews?
If you’re planning to party into the night. Find out what time your wedding will have to end by asking the venue if there are any curfews that you need to be aware of. Find out if there is an additional fee for staying later than the curfew, and ask about any external noise restrictions in place.
4. What is the capacity of the venue?
It’s important to make sure that the venue can accommodate all of your guests, so ask about the maximum capacity. If you’re planning a large celebration, check if there are any adjoining rooms available for extra space.
5. Will I have exclusive hire of the venue?
If you want to be the only event happening at the venue, find out if there will be exclusive use of the space throughout your wedding day to avoid any surprises down the track.
6. Can I use my own wedding planner?
Many wedding venues have their own in-house planners, but if you’d rather use your own, it’s important to check if this is allowed.
7. Can you hold both the wedding reception and ceremony at this venue?
If you’re hoping to hold both your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue, make sure it’s allowed. Some venues will only accommodate one or the other, so check what their policy is before booking.
8. What is your venue’s cancellation policy?
It’s also important to ask about the venue’s cancellation policy in case you need to make any changes or cancel your booking.
9. Is there a contingency plan for inclement weather?
Weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to know what the plan is for your outdoor wedding in case of rain or other inclement weather. Ask about how the venue will handle any potential bad weather scenarios.
10. Is there anything banned from the venue?
Make sure to check what is not allowed and make arrangements to have any banned items removed or avoided.
11. Is there parking available for guests?
If so, is it free or will there be an additional charge? Find out how your guests can access your venue and that there is enough parking to accommodate them.
12. Are there any private rooms available?
Weddings can be a long and exhausting day. If your wedding venue offers private rooms or suites, find out what amenities are included and how much it will cost to access them.
13. Are there any decor restrictions?
Will the venue allow you to decorate as you wish? For example, some may not allow confetti or glitter, so be sure to ask about this ahead of time.
14. Is there a designated smoking area?
If you or your guests are going to be smoking, you need to make sure there is a designated area to do so.
15. Can your wedding venue accommodate all your guests?
Think about accessibility, if you have guests with mobility issues or children who need a separate area. Is your venue accessible to your guests? If not you may need to consider somewhere else to ensure people are not excluded.
16. Is audio-visual equipment included?
See if your potential venue is already equipped with a sound system, microphone and TV/projector screens if required. Otherwise, you may be looking at additional fees to access this equipment.
17. Do you have any deals with local hotels?
This is particularly helpful if you are planning to hold a rural wedding or guests have to travel significant distances to get to your venue. Knowing that there is a nearby hotel with a discounted rate for wedding guests can make things much easier.
18. What is your payment schedule?
Find out when the deposit is due and what other payments you will need to make. No one likes bill shock, also discuss whether payment plans are available if required.
19. Do we have access to the event space for the rehearsal dinner?
Find out if you have access to the venue for rehearsal dinner or any other events leading up to the wedding.
20. Can you use any wedding vendor you like?
Find out if the venue has any exclusive vendors that you must use or if you are free to choose any wedding vendor of your choice. If you’ve already got your heart set on specific vendors, make sure the venue allows them to be used.
21. Do you provide assistance with planning and setup?
Wedding venues usually assist with setup, but may not always assist with wedding planning. If they don’t, ask if they can recommend a wedding coordinator or wedding planner who could help you out.
22. Do you have public liability insurance?
Find out if the wedding venue has public liability insurance to protect you in case of any accidents happening on the day. This is a must-have for any venue.
23. Is there a kitchen available onsite for catering?
If you are planning to hire your own catering services, be sure to check whether there is a kitchen for them to utilise. Alternatively, if the venue has an in-house caterer, you likely won’t need to worry about this.
24. Can you set up a dance floor?
If dancing the night away is part of your wedding vision, make sure to ask about setting up a dance floor. Some venues may not have one on offer, so you’ll need to organise this yourself.
25. Is there a food and beverage minimum spend?
Many venues will have a minimum spend for food and beverages, so check if this is something that applies at your chosen wedding venue. If you are planning a small and intimate affair, this could be a major expense, so it’s worth finding out as soon as possible.
Find Your Perfect Wedding Venue
When you are searching for the perfect wedding venue, it is important to ask questions before signing any contracts. The questions mentioned above can help ensure that your big day will run smoothly and that all of your guests have an amazing time. Make sure to research the venue thoroughly and keep these questions in mind during your search process.
Once you’ve secured the perfect venue, it’s time to start the wedding planning process. If you’re looking for a stylish and practical way to keep your guest’s glasses full all night long, don’t go past our Kombi Keg mobile bar. Our experienced team of professional party planners will help make your wedding a night to remember. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you create the perfect wedding reception.