Deciding on a wedding venue is a big, important deal! You want to make sure you ask all the right questions during your site visit so you can ensure a smooth sailing wedding! Read on for a checklist of all the important wedding venue questions you should ask. (Even better, take this free wedding venue checklist printable PDF with you so you don’t forget a question!)

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Wedding Venue Checklist

General Logistics

• Is my preferred date and time available?
• What is your minimum guest count? What is your maximum guest count?
• Are there other weddings at same time?
• Are thre other weddings on the same day?
• Do you have a facility director/day-of coordinator?
• When is the latest guests will be allowed to stay?
• Where is closest hotel?
• Do you provide a shuttle service to the hotel?
• Do you charge for parking?
• Do you offer valet parking?
• What is the turnaround time for responses to questions?

Ceremony

• What is indoor backup plan? How long before ceremony do you have to decide?
• When is the rehearsal?
• How long is the rehearsal?

Cocktail Hour

• Where is cocktail hour?
• How long is cocktail hour?
• If the bride & groom do pictures after ceremony, is there time for them to participate in cocktail hour as well?

Reception

• When do you do food tasting?
• Do you allow outside caterers?
• Do you allow outside beverages?
• Do you require services from a preferred vendor list?
• Who is responsible for setting up and cleaning up?
• What are the options for how the reception room is arranged? (Round tables vs banquet tables, location of bar, dance floor, band/DJ, etc…)
• Do you have a bridal party attendant?
• Do we get the choice of place settings and linens?

Fees

• What is the fee per person?
• What is the fee per child?
• What is the fee for our other wedding vendors (photographers, DJs, etc..)?
• Is there a ceremony or site fee?
• Are there set up fees?
• What are the fees for extras? (dessert bar, etc.)
• Is tip or tax included?
• What is the payment schedule?
• When is the last deposit collected?
• What services are included in price? (cake, DJ, etc.…)
• Do you require wedding insurance?
• Is the deposit refundable?
• When do you require a final headcount?
• What are the fees for an extra hour?
• What forms of payment do you take?

Miscellaneous

• Will we have access to a bridal suite before the ceremony and during the reception?
• What is the contingency plan if your venue closes?
• What is the plan if there is a natural disaster or other event where having the wedding would not work?
• What is your reschedule/cancellation policy?
• Are there any noise restrictions?

Don’t forget to print your free wedding venue checklist and take it with you on your site visit!

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(Pictures by Raw Photo Design)