Can you believe we are at the end of May? As summer rolls in hot, many couples are starting to plan their weddings for 2023 or even 2024! Today, we’re talking about how to choose your venue and what questions to ask to ensure you find the perfect spot.
First things first, before you go venue shopping, you’ll want to choose a wedding date. While sometimes venues can be flexible on their dates, it’s best to start early and have a couple dates in mind. The first question will be to ask the venue manager/owner what they have available. Keep in mind, weekdays and sometimes Fridays can be offered at a lower rate as they are not as popular for couples.
The next question you’ll need to ask is how many people can the venue accommodate. Though you may have a wedding guest number,
it’s important to remember that depending on the venue, you may need to invite a few less people than you had originally thought. Those guest lists can certainly grow long, so it’s important to find a venue that accommodates as many guests as you’d like to have.
For your venue, you want to make sure that the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception can all be held there if that is what you’d like. Otherwise, you can always choose to split up your ceremony and reception sites. I always warn couples to just keep in mind this typically requires travel for your guests.
Another thing to consider are the getting-ready rooms (making sure they are big enough for your wedding party member and have chairs, mirrors, etc.), as well as parking. If you have a big guest list and a small parking lot, you’ll need to make sure you book other arrangements for your guests. Many venues have partnerships with local businesses or even extra parking lots that you may rent out in order to accommodate all of your guests.
Another very important thing to ask your venue if you are planning to have an outdoor wedding is “what is the rain plan?” This is the plan that will be put into place if and when your wedding is “lucky” enough to have rain. Often times, venues have their own percentage of rain chance to watch for and this will dictate if you can move forward with your ceremony outside the day of or will need to relocate inside.
A few other questions to ask include
- What is the timeframe for the rental? Do you have the venue all weekend or only one day?
- What is the cancellation/postponement policy?
- Is the venue handicap accessible?
- Are other events happening at the venue on your chosen wedding date?
- Will the venue hold your date for a few days or a week?
One last tip – be sure to take photos of the venues you are touring! That will help you remember what you saw where after your tour!
There are many other questions you can ask any vendor but especially a venue. If you liked this article, stay tuned for more questions featuring many different wedding vendors as we move forward!
If you need help choosing a venue or simply making plans, call me at 410-978-2048, and we will discuss it all! I can’t wait to hear from you.
Lexi
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Featured image by Living Radiant Photography at Dulany’s Overlook.
Black/White image by Stephen Reasonover Photography at Shadow Creek Weddings and Events.
Castle image by Wendy Hickok Photography at Cloisters Castle.
Tent image by Brad Barnwell Photography at the reception space at Prosperity Mansion.
