When you first start wedding planning, it can be really overwhelming and difficult to know what to ask venues. If this is your first time wedding planning or touring venues, you might not know what to look for.

Here is a fool-proof list of questions to ask then use when you tour with them!

Tip: Copy & paste these to a notes tab on your phone (or print it out) to ask wedding venues on your tours!

General Questions

• Where do guests hang out before wedding/cocktail hour?

• Can people stay overnight? How many?

• How many hours do we have onsite? Tip: I would never book a place that doesn’t let you stay onsite for less than 3 hours before the ceremony, because this is how long it takes for photos to happen if you want cute getting in the dress photos, bridesmaids/groomsmen photos, first look, etc. Trust me, less than 3 before the ceremony hours is rushed.

• Where do guests park?

• How much time is allocated for the rehearsal? How much does that cost?

• Are there any noise restrictions?

• Is the site handicap accessible?

• Can we add on hours for getting ready? How much?

• Do you guys set a specific ceremony time or is it flexible?

• What overnight accommodations do you provide? Do you offer a discount for booking multiple rooms—or a complimentary room or upgrade for the newlyweds?!

• How many restrooms are there? Tip: 4 bathrooms per 100 people easily accessible

• If a shuttle service is needed, can you assist with setting it up?

• Are we the exclusive party at the venue? Fully private?

• Do you have a recycling policy?

• What if we need to reschedule/cancel due to COVID?

• Is there a groom room?

• Are cabs/Ubers easily accessible from the venue at night?

• Is there free parking on site? How many cars can it accommodate? Are there golf carts or easy walking paths from the lot?

• If no accommodations are available, what are the nearest hotels to the venue? Tip: ask if they partner with hotels for discounts or room blocks

• Do you have outlets or generators for DJs?

Vendors

• Do you include security guards, or do we have to hire our own? Tip: 2 security guards for 100 guests, 3 for 200, 4 for 300 etc.

• Do you offer on-site coordination? What services are included? Tip: Just because there’s a “day of” coordinator provided at the venue, you need to hire your own day of coordinator in addition. Venue coordinators and independent coordinators are not the same thing and don’t do the same job.

• What do you require from vendors? Tip: Most require vendors to have liability insurance and a business license.

• Can the venue accommodate a DJ or live band?

• Can I hire my own vendors or is there a preferred vendor list we need to stick to? Tip: I’m not a big fan of preferred vendor lists provided by venues, because they never really see how a vendor conducts their services or actually treats the couple. Venues have their own interests and biases, so using only vendors on their list might not get you the best services for YOU. Trust preferred vendor lists from other vendors like your photographer or coordinator, because they understand your vision and style better than a venue can.

• Does the venue provide assistance getting gifts and/or décor back to a designated car or hotel room after the wedding?

• What time can my vendors start setting up on the day of the wedding? Tip: if your venue lets you set up the day before or bring decor at rehearsal, that’s icing on the cake!

• Do you provide a coat check service?

Food

• Can we do a food tasting before we finalize our menu selection? Does it cost extra? Tip: Be sure to ask if they’ll accommodate dietary restrictions and/or food allergies.

• If I hire my own caterer, is there a kitchen available for them?

• Is there a food & beverage minimum?

• Do you have an in-house caterer or a list of “preferred” caterers, or do I need to provide my own? Even if there is an in-house caterer, do I have the option of using an outside caterer instead?

• Are tables, linens, chairs, plates, silverware, and glassware provided, or will I have to rent them myself or get them through my caterer?

• Is there a corkage fee?

• How is alcohol priced, and is there a bar minimum?

• Are there additional charges for bar staff?

• Can we bring our own wine, beer or champagne? What about hard liquor?

• Can we bring our own appetizers from Costco, etc?

• Is there a cake-cutting fee? Tip: Save money by asking if a guest can cut the cake for you.

• Are you licensed to provide alcohol service? Tip: Some venues (like wineries) aren’t licensed to serve hard alcohol.

• What’s the tax and service charge?

• Can I bring in a cake from an outside baker or do I have to use a cake made on site?

Decor/Rentals

• Can we use candles/confetti/sparklers/fireworks/animals/lawn games/bounce houses/food trucks?

• Do you have signs or parking attendants to direct guests to the sites?

• Do you provide heaters and/or umbrellas for the outdoor spaces?

• Are twinkle lights included?

• What are the options if it rains? Is it included?

• Can I move things around or do I have to leave everything as is? Tip: If you want your own lights or decor on ceilings or walls, ask.

• Do you have an inventory of décor (lighting, candle holders, vases, etc.) we can borrow from?

• Are we allowed to bring in our own decorations? Tip: Ask if they will be changing decor for holidays or with future renovations. You don’t want a Christmas tree in the middle of the ceremony area (I’ve seen this folks. It’s not good).

• How many hours does the rental fee include, and is there an overtime fee if I stay longer?

• What is the rental fee and what’s included in that price?

Contract

• Are there any cleaning fees?

• Can you point out additional costs outlined in the contract? – cancellation policies, automatic gratuity, etc.

• What’s your weather contingency (backup) plan for outdoor spaces? Is that an extra fee?

• Are we responsible for weather-related incidents?

• Do we need insurance? Tip: Couples usually are required to purchase this on their own. Can be bought online and is a good idea to have, even if you venue doesn’t require it. It’s usually ~$150 and protects you from all kinds of stuff

• Do you have liability insurance? Tip: They better have it, or you could be liable for things that go wrong, even if it’s not your fault. Huge red flag if they don’t have insurance.

Pricing breakdown

This is what typically goes into “extra fees” for venues. Ask them directly if these are included or if they add them on to the rental (aka the base venue) price.

• Per head price

• Cleaning fee

• Day of the week (if you get married on a Saturday, it’s usually more expensive. Ask them if it’s cheaper for a Friday, Sunday, or weekday)

• Tent pricing (If they include tents or make you purchase it from a specific vendor)

• Is there a fee for outside vendors?

• Chairs/tables/linens

• Catering

• Set up and break down fees

• Tipping vendors or service tax

• Parking fee

• Insurance Tip: Couples usually are required to purchase this on their own. Can be bought online and is a good idea to have, even if you venue doesn’t require it. It’s usually ~$150 and protects you from all kinds of stuff

• Cake cutting fee/uncorking fee

• Sales Tax

• Generators/electricity

Hope this helps you pick the best venue for YOU!

Which questions were most helpful? Any you forgot about? Any I can add?

Comment below!