20 Questions

Questions to Ask About Wedding Venue

Essential questions to help you evaluate wedding venues, understand pricing, and ensure you find the perfect location for your special day.

1

What's included in the venue rental fee and what are additional costs?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Clarifies the total cost structure and helps you understand what's included versus what you'll need to pay extra for, preventing budget surprises.

2

What's the maximum capacity and how does it work for different guest counts?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Ensures the venue can accommodate your guest list and helps you understand how the space works for different party sizes.

3

What's the availability and booking process?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals booking requirements and helps you understand the timeline for securing your date and what's needed to confirm your reservation.

4

What's the venue's policy on outside vendors and catering?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows vendor flexibility and helps you understand if you can bring in your own vendors or if you're required to use their preferred vendors.

5

What's included in the venue setup and breakdown?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Clarifies what the venue handles versus what you're responsible for, helping you plan your timeline and vendor needs.

6

What's the venue's policy on alcohol and bar service?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals alcohol restrictions and helps you understand what's allowed, required, or prohibited regarding alcohol service.

7

What's the venue's policy on decorations and personalization?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows decoration flexibility and helps you understand what you can and cannot do to personalize the space.

8

What's the venue's policy on photography and videography?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals photography restrictions and helps you understand any limitations on your wedding photos and videos.

9

What's the venue's policy on music and entertainment?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows entertainment options and helps you understand what's allowed regarding music, DJs, bands, and other entertainment.

10

What's the venue's policy on parking and transportation?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals parking availability and helps you understand transportation options for your guests and vendors.

11

What's the venue's policy on weather and outdoor spaces?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows weather contingency plans and helps you understand how the venue handles outdoor ceremonies and receptions.

12

What's the venue's policy on children and age restrictions?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals age policies and helps you understand any restrictions on children or age requirements for your event.

13

What's the venue's policy on timing and event duration?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows time restrictions and helps you understand how long you can use the venue and any time limitations.

14

What's the venue's policy on security and liability?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals security requirements and helps you understand what security measures are in place and what you're responsible for.

15

What's the venue's policy on cancellations and rescheduling?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows cancellation terms and helps you understand your options if you need to change your date or cancel your event.

16

What's the venue's policy on accessibility and special needs?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals accessibility features and helps you understand how the venue accommodates guests with special needs.

17

What's the venue's policy on storage and vendor access?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows storage options and helps you understand when vendors can access the venue for setup and breakdown.

18

What's the venue's policy on cleanup and damage?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals cleanup requirements and helps you understand what you're responsible for cleaning and any damage policies.

19

What's the venue's policy on insurance and permits?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows insurance requirements and helps you understand what insurance and permits you need to provide.

20

What makes this venue unique and why should we choose it?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals the venue's unique qualities and helps you understand what sets it apart from other venue options.

Best Practices for Wedding Venue Selection

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Get Everything in Writing

Make sure all policies, pricing, and inclusions are clearly documented in your contract to avoid misunderstandings and surprises.

Ask About Hidden Costs

Inquire about all potential additional fees, taxes, and charges to ensure you have a complete picture of the total cost.

Consider Your Guest Experience

Ask about parking, accessibility, and guest comfort to ensure your venue provides a great experience for all your guests.

Question Sequences

The Cost Sequence

1
What's included in the venue rental fee and what are additional costs?
2
What's the venue's policy on outside vendors and catering?
3
What's the venue's policy on decorations and personalization?
4
What's the venue's policy on music and entertainment?

The Logistics Sequence

1
What's the maximum capacity and how does it work for different guest counts?
2
What's included in the venue setup and breakdown?
3
What's the venue's policy on timing and event duration?
4
What's the venue's policy on storage and vendor access?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Assume Everything is Included

Many venues have additional fees for things like chairs, tables, linens, and setup. Ask about all potential costs upfront.

Don't Ignore Vendor Restrictions

Some venues require you to use their preferred vendors or have restrictions on outside vendors. Make sure you understand these limitations.

Don't Skip the Fine Print

Read all contracts carefully and ask about any terms you don't understand. Don't assume anything is included or allowed.

Conversation Templates

The Cost Template

1
Step 1: Start with: "What's included in the venue rental fee and what are additional costs?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's the venue's policy on outside vendors and catering?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What's the venue's policy on decorations and personalization?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What's the venue's policy on music and entertainment?"

The Logistics Template

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What's the maximum capacity and how does it work for different guest counts?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What's included in the venue setup and breakdown?"
3
Step 3: Understand with: "What's the venue's policy on timing and event duration?"
4
Step 4: Learn with: "What's the venue's policy on storage and vendor access?"

Further Reading

"The Wedding Planner" by Mindy Weiss
"Wedding Planning for Dummies" by Dominique Douglas
"The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings" by Carley Roney
"Wedding Venue Selection Guide" by wedding planning resources

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation