Venue Questions

When it comes to wedding venues in New England, there are options for every style and budget. It is YOUR wedding, and everything is possible, it is just important to understand the pros and cons before making your final venue selection(s). Below is a list of questions to ask your potential wedding venues when you are touring.

Questions to ask on a venue tour:

1.      What dates are available in the month I’m considering?

2.      How many people can this location accommodate?

3.      What is the rental fee and what is included in that price?

4.      How much is the deposit, when is it due, and is it refundable?

5.      Are there changing areas for the wedding party?

6.      When would the rehearsal be?

7.      What’s the cancellation policy?

8.      What’s your weather backup plan for an outside space?

9.      Do you have liability insurance?

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

11.  If I hire my own caterer, is there a kitchen available for them to use?

12.  Is there a food and beverage minimum?

13.  What’s the tax and service charge?

14.  Can we do a food tasting before we finalize our menu selection? Is it included or does it cost extra?

15.  Are tables, linens, chairs, plates, flatware, glassware, etc. provided or will I need to rent them myself/through the caterer?

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

17.  Can we bring out own wine, beer, champagne, and hard liquor?

18.  Are you licensed to provided alcohol services?

19.  How is alcohol priced, and is there a bar minimum?

20.  Are there additional charges for bar staff?

21.  Are we allowed to bring in our own decorations?

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

23.  What can/can’t we have on the property?

24.  Do you have signage or other aids to direct guests to my event?

25.  Do you provide heaters and/or umbrellas for the outside space?

26.  Can I hire my own vendors or is there a “preferred” vendor list we need to stick with?

27.  what time can my vendors start setting up on the day of?

28.  Is there a separate space for cocktail hour?

29.  Do you have a sound system and/or microphones for music and speeches?

30.  Is there parking on site? If not, where will my guests be parking?

31.  What overnight accommodations do you provided?

32.  If no accommodations are available, where are the nearest hotels to the venue?

33.  Is the site handicap accessible?

34.  What are the wedding packages and what do they include?

35.  What other events are going on at the venue on the same day?

36.  How long are you able to stay at the venue?

37.  Is there a secure area to store the wedding gifts?

38.  What does a typical layout of the venue on wedding day look like?

39.  Who is the main venue contact for the day of the wedding?

40.  Are there decorating restrictions?

41.  How many people can sit at one table?

42.  What are the different ways the venue serves food? Buffet, family style, individual plates?

43.  How many choices can your offer your guests for meals?

44.  How much waitstaff will be provided?

45.  Do they provide a place for the cake?

46.  Do they provide a cake cutting knife?

47.  If there a cake cutting fee?

48.  Does the venue have a liquor license to service alcohol?

49.  Does the venue provide the alcohol and bar service?

50.  What drinks are included in the pricing?

51.  Can you bring in a band or a DJ?

52.  When can the band or DJ set up?

53.  How many people does the dance floor accommodate?

54.  What is the total cost and what is required for a deposit?

55.  Do they offer a payment plan?

56.  What types of payment do they take? Cash, check, credit card?

57.  what are the insurance requirements for you and your vendors?

58.  Does the venue have its own insurance coverage?

59.  Are there any photography or videography restrictions?

60.  Do they have outside covered areas?

61.  Do they have inside space available if you need to move people from outside to inside?

62.  Can the venue accommodate the ceremony?

63.  Are the ceremony and reception help in the same space or separate space?

64.  If the same room, what can be expected for set up and breakdown to switch over from ceremony to reception?

65.  Does the venue provide seating for the ceremony?

66.  What is the cost to have both the ceremony and reception at the venue?