Essential Questions to Ask During Your Wedding Venue Site Visit

You are newly engaged, you are full of excitement and can’t wait to get started on the venue search -planning a wedding can be an exhilarating yet overwhelming experience, especially when choosing the perfect venue.

Whether you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, a glamorous ballroom affair, a historic estate or a seaside celebration, you want to ensure that every detail is perfect. One way to make sure you're on the right track is by asking the right questions during your venue site visit.

Here’s our comprehensive list of questions to help you make an informed decision and turn your dream wedding into a reality.

1. Venue, Availability and Capacity

  • Is the venue available on our desired wedding date?

  • If a boutique hotel or restaurant - do they require a full buyout of the restaurant and what is the minimum cost for that?

  • How many guests can the venue comfortably accommodate? Depending on if there are multiple spaces intended on being used i.e: ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, ask for capacity of each of those spaces.

  • If a tent is required to be rented, what is the typical size and style tent that fits on the property? Do you have a preferred tent company?

  • What is the minimum and maximum guest count required?

2. Facilities and Amenities

  • What amenities does the venue offer for both the ceremony and reception?

  • Is there a bridal suite or preparation area available?

  • Are there restrooms conveniently located for guests? If not, do you have to rent a restroom trailer and where would that be located?

  • Are there separate spaces for cocktail hour and the reception?

  • Does the venue provide heating, cooling, or fans for any outdoor spaces?

3. Catering and Beverages

  • Do you offer in-house catering services? If so, can you review some menu options and is there opportunities to customize menus?

  • How do you schedule a tasting? How many people do they include? What’s the cost for additional guests (i.e parents)

  • Can you accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?

  • What are the options for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages? And, what are the package costs? Can you offer a by consumption bar option? Can you customize and source unique selections of liquor?

  • Do the bar packages include glassware, ice, mixers, bartenders, etc.?

  • Can they accommodate signature cocktails?

  • Can we bring in our own caterer or bar service if preferred?

  • Is there a cake-cutting fee or any other service charges we should be aware of?

4. Decoration and Setup

  • Are there restrictions on décor? Can the venue remove certain pieces of furniture that are not needed for the wedding?

  • The house lighting, can it be dimmed? Do you allow specialty lighting?

  • Can we see photos of previous events to get a sense of the space when set-up?

  • Are there any restrictions on the use of candles, rose petals, sparklers, fireworks or other special effects?

5. Music and Entertainment

  • Are there any limitations or guidelines regarding music and entertainment?

  • Are there any specific permits/fees that are required for entertainment (i.e - Italy’s SIAE tax)

  • Is there an in house sound system?

  • Is there a designated area for a live band or DJ setup? If so, what is the distance to an electrical outlet?

6. Parking and Accessibility

  • Is parking available for guests, and is it included in the rental fee?

  • Is the venue wheelchair accessible and suitable for guests with mobility issues?

  • Is there a valet service available for guests?

  • Do you require all guests be transported in and out from the venue?

7. Vendor Policies

  • Are there any restrictions on using specific vendors, or can we bring in our own?

  • Do you have a list of preferred or recommended vendors?

  • Is there a vendor coordination fee or any additional costs for outside vendors?

8. Timeline and Coordination

  • What is the timeline for setting up, hosting the event, and cleaning up afterward?

  • Will there be staff available to assist with setup, coordination, and cleanup during the event?

  • How many hours are included in the rental fee, and what are the costs for additional time?

9. Weather Contingency Plans

  • What are the options in case of inclement weather, especially for outdoor ceremonies?

  • Is there an indoor backup location available?

  • Do you provide tents, heaters, or other weather-related equipment?

10. Noise and Curfew Restrictions

  • Are there any noise restrictions or curfews that we need to be aware of?

  • Are there any noise ordinances we need to be aware of, especially if the venue is in a residential area?

  • What time must the event end, and are there penalties for going over time?

11. Payment and Cancellation Policies

  • What are the payment terms and cancellation policies?

  • Are there any hidden costs or additional fees we should be aware of?

  • Is there a payment plan available? What form of payment do you accept?

12. Accommodation and Transportation

  • Is there a bridal suite included in the package, and is there a honeymoon suite available?

  • Does the venue offer overnight accommodations? If so, what are the sleep arrangements and how many guests can stay? Can you add on additional days to your stay and how much is it? (i .e: check in on Thursday and check out Monday vs. Friday - Sunday)

13. Privacy and Exclusive Use

  • Can we have exclusive use of certain areas of the venue for private moments during the event?

  • Will ours be the only event taking place at the venue on our wedding day? If not, what is the exclusivity cost?

14. Sustainability Practices

  • Does the venue have any sustainability initiatives or practices in place?

15. Misc. Questions

  • What is the layout of the venue, and can we get a floor plan to plan our seating arrangement?

  • Can we have a rehearsal at the venue? If so, is there an additional cost?

  • Are there any backup generators in case of a power outage?

  • How does the venue handle security for the event?

  • Are there any restrictions on drone photography or videography?

  • Does the venue have any historical significance or unique features that we can incorporate into our event?

  • Are there any religious considerations or restrictions we need to be aware of, especially if we're planning a religious ceremony?

  • Do we need to provide any special insurance coverage for the event?

  • Can you provide references or testimonials from previous couples who have held their weddings here?

  • Is there a designated point of contact on the day of the wedding who will be coordinating with us and our vendors?

By asking these questions, you’ll be well-prepared to make a decision that ensures your wedding day is as seamless as possible. Don’t leave anything to chance—get the answers you need to feel confident in your venue choice!

Cristen Faherty