One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is visiting possible wedding venues for your big day. It’s so much fun to walk around and envision you and your soon-to-be-spouse having the best day of your life inside a beautiful space.
Because of this, however, it’s very easy to get caught up in the beauty of these wedding venues and totally forget to ask some very important questions. That’s why we put this list of questions together. Be sure to ask these critical questions when touring each wedding venue that you are considering.
What Are The Rules About Décor?
While some wedding venues are very laid-back about décor and will allow couples to do whatever they want with the space, others have pretty strict rules about is and isn’t allowed.
Be sure to ask if you can bring in your own décor, and if not, ask to see what their in-house décor looks like. If you are allowed to bring in your own, don’t forget to ask specifics.
Does the venue allow rose petals to be strewn? Do they allow candles, confetti, sparklers, tacks or nails for hanging things?
If there’s an element to your wedding day that you have in mind, make sure to ask if it’s allowed.
Is There An On-Site Kitchen?
The best-case scenario for a wedding venue is that they have a dynamite in-house caterer with an on-site kitchen. This will ensure that the food is served hot and ready.
If you’re planning on using your own caterer, be sure to ask plenty of questions about the wedding venue’s on-site kitchen.
Do they have one? Will your own caterer be allowed to use it for cooking and preparing food, or just heating and serving? Will the venue charge a fee if you use your own caterer? If there’s no on-site kitchen, what do they recommend?
These are all very important to ask.
How Many Events Do You Do A Day?
Ideally, your wedding will be the only event that your venue will take on that day. But if they are planning on doing multiple events, there are some questions to ask.
First of all, the amount of time your wedding vendors will have to set up and break down for your wedding will impact your budget. It’s always better when a venue takes only one event a weekend, because it allows a flexible schedule for set-up and breakdown.
Also, if other weddings or events are taking place the same day as yours, will the venue staff be able to handle it? You should ensure that the staff working for you is solely designated to your wedding.
Can We Hold Both The Ceremony And The Reception Here?
Many couples don’t want to ask their guests to drive to a second location after the wedding ceremony. Having the ceremony and reception in the same location is becoming more and more popular.
If this is something you want, be sure to ask the wedding venue manager about a space for the ceremony. Many venues have an adjacent room or gardens where ceremonies can be held. Some even have an area for a cocktail hour in between.
Who Will Be My Venue Contact?
If you decide to book a wedding venue, make sure you understand completely who will be your contact for any questions you may have or information you’ll need. The last thing you want is to call the venue and get passed around to different staff members.
It’s your wedding, and when you want answers, you will not want to be jerked around. Get a direct phone number and email to the person who will be your point of contact.
Do You Charge A Fee For Outside Vendors?
Some wedding venues only work with their own vetted vendors, and then some venues don’t mind and allow couples to bring in whoever they wish. Then there are some venues that allow outside vendors, but charge a fee for it.
If you have your own outside vendors in mind, be sure to ask the wedding venue manager if they charge an extra fee for you to bring them in.
It’s also good to ask about cake-cutting fees or corkage fees.
What Is Included When I Book Your Venue?
If you’re considering a certain wedding venue, be sure to ask what is included when you book. Do you also get tables, chairs, linens, dishes, flatware, napkins, and centerpieces?
It’s very important to ask so that you know what you’ve already paid for, and what additional items you’ll need to bring in yourself.
Hopefully this will help you on your journey to finding the perfect wedding venue for your big day! Make sure to look at our photo gallery to see if Hollywood Banquet Hall is a good fit for your wedding, and contact us for more information if you’re interested in us hosting for you!