I read this on www.weddingideasmag.com.
Make sure you arm yourself with these savvy questions to ask your wedding venue before you start your search …
What’s the availability?
One of the most important things to check before viewing a wedding venue is its availability. With UK brides and grooms-to-be planning their weddings up to 18 months in advance, you may find that your preferred wedding date is not available. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Can we work to my budget?
If you simply have to walk down the aisle at a particular wedding venue but your budget won’t stretch that far, then ask about payment plans or different options regarding dates and room hire that may help you reduce the overall cost.
What are the legalities?
If you plan on getting married and hosting your reception at the same venue, make sure they’re licensed to carry out civil weddings. If they don’t hold a licence you may have to hold the ceremony at another location.
What’s the capacity?
Before you shop for your wedding venue, decide as a couple – and with your families – a rough number of how many guests you plan on inviting. Viewing wedding venues that can only hold a certain amount of guests may be a pointless exercise. You also wouldn’t want to be viewing a huge wedding venue if your guest list is small and intimate.
Will I be the only bride on the day?
Ask whether or not the venue will host more than one wedding at any given time. Bumping into another newlywed couple wouldn’t be ideal, and this could also cause complications between wedding guests, too.
What about parking?
Unless you’re providing transport for your wedding guests to and from a central location, you’ll have to make sure that plenty of parking spaces are available within close proximity of your chosen venue. If parking is not available on the premises, then give your guests parking options (and costs) when you send out your wedding invitations.
Can we all sleep over?
Ask whether or not the wedding venue offers overnight accommodation. Country house or manor-style venues tend to have rooms specifically dedicated for the bride and groom, and their families. If you’re getting married at a hotel, see if they can offer your wedding guests a discounted rate if you book in bulk, or, even better, if they can discount the venue hire due to the large added spend.
What are your rules on throwing confetti?
If you’re looking to have a traditional wedding photograph taken where guests throw confetti over you and your hubby, make sure that the wedding venue allows it. Some venues, particularly churches, don’t, so checking up front would be advisable.
Do I need to hire outside caterers?
Check to see if the venue has their own catering arrangements. If not, you may have to bring in an independent catering company, which could end up costing you more than you first thought.
Can you suggest other quality suppliers?
Sometimes a wedding venue will be able to provide you with a list of recommended suppliers. These suppliers will be familiar with the venue having worked with them in the past, so you can be relatively sure they offer a quality service. Ask for the list of suppliers during your initial show around, because even if you don’t end up booking that venue, it might give you a good idea of standard prices. You can then compare these to other quotes you get in the future.
