10 Things To Consider When Looking For A Wedding Venue

Deciding on a Wedding venue is a huge decision and there are tons of factors to take into consideration before signing the contract. While there are plenty more details to talk through with the venue before you sign on the dotted line, these are some insightful questions to help get you started and you may not think of unless you are in the Wedding biz. Of course you want to cover the basics (is the venue available on your preferred date, how many guests can the venue hold, pricing and payment information, cancellation policies etc.), but here are a few more things to consider from the pros when looking for a Wedding venue:

Decor

You will want to ask if the venue has any restrictions or rules about what décor you are allowed to bring in and what you can do with it inside the space. For example, some older or historic venues may not allow for candles or open flames or some venues do not allow confetti or glitter to be used. If you have your heart set on a grand confetti exit at the end of the night, make sure the venue allows it first!

External Vendors

While many venues will allow you to bring in any vendors you wish, some venues have exclusive relationships with certain vendors. Make sure you ask your venue if bringing in outside vendors will be possible or if they can provide you a list of vendors for you to choose from.

PRO TIP! Wedding venues are a great place to get recommendations for other vendors! They have seen many vendors come and go through their venue space and can help point you in the direction of a great vendor for your big day. Plus, having a vendor who has worked in your venue space can be great as they are already familiar with the space and its procedures.

Outdoor Vendors​

If you are planning on having an outdoor Wedding, there are a few other factors to take into consideration when choosing a venue. You want to make sure they have a Plan B in case of inclement weather. Is there an indoor space available in the event that Mother Nature decides not to cooperate on your Wedding day? Ask to take a look at this space to make sure it fits with your vision for your Wedding day. Hopefully, you never have to use Plan B, but its always better to have the conversation ahead of time so there are no unpleasant surprises the day of your Wedding.

Day of Coordinator

Deciding on a Wedding venue is a huge decision and there are tons of factors to take into consideration before signing the contract. While there are plenty more details to talk through with the venue before you sign on the dotted line, these are some insightful questions to help get you started and you may not think of unless you are in the Wedding biz. Of course you want to cover the basics (is the venue available on your preferred date, how many guests can the venue hold, pricing and payment information, cancellation policies etc.), but here are a few more things to consider from the pros when looking for a Wedding venue:

Exclusive Rentals​

Some larger Wedding venues may have multiple spaces they rent out individually on the same date for different groups. If you were hoping for a private and exclusive rental of the space, be sure to check with the venue if your rental is exclusive for your event or if they will be booking other events for the same date. 

Climate Control​

Something to keep in mind if you are getting married in a month known for extreme temperatures is the climate control of the venue. Some older historic sites or barns may not offer heat or air conditioning, so this is definitely something to ask about! Check with the venue about the heating and air condition options to ensure your guests are comfortable for the duration of your event.

Technical Equipment

​While some venues may offer free usage of their tech equipment (speakers, microphones, projectors, etc.) other venues may charge an additional fee for this or not offer any equipment on site at all. Be sure to ask about this up front so you know if you will need to rent any equipment or be sure the entertainment provides their own equipment. 

Setup​

An important logistical question to ask your venue is what time you and the other vendors will be allowed to get into the venue space on the day of your Wedding. This is important to ensure all your vendors have enough time to get everything set up on the morning of your Wedding day.

PRO TIP! Ask your venue if you are allowed to drop off décor and other supplies the night before the Wedding, rather than bringing everything in the day-of. Dropping all of this off the night before can help make the morning of your Wedding less stressful! 

Breakdown​

Always be sure to ask you venue about who will be responsible for the break down of the decor and setup after your Wedding. Some venues may provide staff to assist with taking down decor and bringing gifts to the designated vehicle, but others will not and it is important to know this ahead of time. If your venue leaves the break down up to you, be sure you have a plan for the end of the evening. Consider who will be responsible for gathering all the gifts and décor and ensuring they get to their next destination.