25 questions to ask your wedding venue

Hi brides-to-be! Today, I want to give you a list of things you should ask your venue before signing your contract. After all this is where you will spend the most mula! So here's the list of questions you should have in your back pocket everytime you do a site visit.

25 THINGS YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR WEDDING VENUE: 

1. The obvious: Is the venue available for the date (or season) you are looking for? 
2. If you are considering having your wedding on another day than Saturday, ask if they can offer you a discount. 
3. How many people can it accommodate (think about the cocktail and the reception – both places should have enough space for your guests.) 
4. If you are choosing a hotel as your venue: Ask how many rooms they have and see if they offer you a honeymoon suite at no or low cost. Also, ask if they can give you a group rate depending on the amount of guests you think will be spending the night. 
5. Ask if there’s a rental fee. If there is none, chances are they are the exclusive suppliers for different elements of your wedding day, such as catering, cake, decoration, and other… 
6. Ask if they have non-negotiable exclusive suppliers. Some places may make exceptions if for example; your mother is a baker and wants to make your wedding cake. But they may still charge a cake-cutting fee. 
7. I you plan to do the ceremony on site, make sure they show you where it would take place and ask if there is an extra charge. If however, you are planning to have it at a religious site, calculate how long it would take your guests to get from your ceremony site to your venue (No one wants to drive 2 hours to get from one place to another!) 
8. Think of the logistics: Do you need a bridal suite at the venue for touch ups or to get ready? Will you have your rehearsal dinner there? If you have guests that have a handicap, is the site accessible to them? If it rains and you chose an outdoor site, what would be your plan B? When will you have access to the space to start setting up? Is there enough parking spaces? 
9. Ask about cancellation fees. 
10. Ask at what time they close. Some places will ask you to leave at midnight but could close at a later hour for an extra fee. 
11. If you like candles like me, ask if you can use real ones. Some places prefer not to. 
12. If you have access to a terrace, ask if it is heated (specially for chilly fall evenings) 
13. Ask them what kind of furniture and table settings they provide you with: tables, chairs, linens, plates, etc. If they don’t, you need to set a budget to rent these things. 
14. Visit the restrooms. If you are like me, restrooms are as important as the venue. They must be clean and well maintained. 
15. Some places are not safe for children (ponds, lakes, etc...) and require you to hire a nanny if there is more than 3 kids attending your wedding
16. Do they provide a wedding coordinator? If so, what is their involvement and will they be there the day of your wedding? 
17. Do you need to be a member to have access to their facilities (such as golf clubs or country clubs).
18. Who is responsible for tearing down the decor and cleaning the space? 
19. Ask if you can bring your own alcohol and if they have a license to serve alcohol. 
20. If you are taking a “bring you own bottles” option, ask what’s the corkage fee and if they provide the bar staff. 
21. Ask for all hidden fees: insurance, cleaning, music rights, etc… 
22. Ask if the venue is rented to you exclusively or if other weddings are taking place the same day as yours. 
23. If the venue is providing the catering services, ask about the menu and ask if they have options for special dietary requirement and if you can tailor the menu to your liking. 
24. Dance floor: depending on your guests, ask if the dance floor will be open at all times of if they will have to re-arrange the room after dinner to make some room for the dance floor. 
25. Finally, always ask you venue for advice on suppliers, hotels close by, etc. They may have discounts with regular suppliers.