This post is about the wedding venue questions that you absolutely need to ask before booking.

You’re engaged and on the hunt for the perfect wedding venue. It’s probably the first time you’ve done this so having a handy checklist can make all the difference.

We’ve collated a list of 50 wedding venue questions that you must ask when touring. Some of these questions could be deal-breakers so you want to ask them upfront before booking anything.

Wedding Venue Questions

1. What is the maximum capacity of guests?

It is imperative that you find out how many guests can be on the property. The answer could immediately be a deal-breaker for you if it’s under your desired guest count.

Note that some venues may have a different capacity for the dinner or ceremony versus the disco. You’ll have to meet the lower number or invite less people to the ceremony and dinner.

2. How many people can stay at the venue overnight?

If your venue also sleeps guests, you should find out how many can stay there. Ask them what the nightly rate per room is too in case you are offloading this to your guests. 

3. Is breakfast included? If not, what is the rate?

If your venue is also your accommodation, enquire about breakfast and the rate.

4. Do we have exclusive use of the venue?

When renting a venue, oftentimes you will get exclusive use of the property. However not always!

Some properties require that you rent out all of their rooms for exclusivity. Some also require a minimum amount of days renting out the property and/or minimum spend on catering and events.

5. What is the Plan B option in case of bad weather?

This one is crucial to ask! Find out what their Plan B options are in case of rain or other bad weather.

Many venues will have their own Plan B option in place – for example, an indoor ceremony hall. Others will let you know that you will need to front the cost of a marquee.

Find out the approximate cost of that because they don’t come cheap!

6. Do they have pretty umbrellas?

On the note of bad weather, find out if the venue has their own supply of nice umbrellas in case of rain during your ceremony. We recommend asking for clear coloured umbrellas as they look great in photos.

7. Where do people usually hold their cocktail hour / dinner?

Find out the various location options for each part of your wedding. Oftentimes, venues will have multiple suggestions as to where to hold your ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner etc.

8. Is the venue pet-friendly?

In case you’re hoping to involve your furry friend on your wedding day, ask if the venue is pet-friendly! It may be that they do allow pets there for the ceremony but not for overnight stays.

9. Is there a bridal suite to get ready in? Where does the groom’s side usually get ready? 

Scope out where the Getting Ready zones typically are. Make sure there’s plenty of natural light, a large table and tall chair for your hair and makeup artist to do their job best.

If your wedding is mostly outdoors but you’ll be getting ready indoors – scope out if you like the interior design.

It’s likely that your photography will take plenty of photos in this area while you’re getting ready and for bridal portraits.

10. Is there aircon and heating?

The last thing you want on your wedding day is to be hot and sweaty or shivering and cold. Find out if the venue has air-con and heating.

11. What is the terrain on the property?

This is one of those oft-forgotten wedding venue questions. It’s important to find out what kind of terrain there will be at various points in the day.

What is the terrain for your walking up the aisle? This can impact your shoe choice e.g. you might avoid stiletto heels if the terrain is soft grass or cobblestone.

The terrain during cocktail when the guests will be standing up might affect your dress code suggestions.

You might inform the women that the cocktail hour is on gravel or dirt – this could affect their dress length or shoe choice.

12. Do you have any vendor recommendations / restrictions?

Some venues require that you only use vendors on their list. That could restrict your choices quite a bit.

If you were hoping for a specific photographer or style of photography that isn’t on their list – this could be a deal-breaker.

Some of these venues allow you to bring in your own vendor at an additional cost. However most venues have a list of suggested vendors that they’ve tried-and-tested.

13. Are there enough toilets for our guest count? Will they be attended to throughout the event?

That last thing you want is your guests to be queuing up for toilets all night. Find out if there’s enough toilets for your guests count and if they’ll be attended to throughout the night.

14. Is there a cloakroom?

At many weddings, guests just leave their belongings on their designated dinner seat. But if everyone is bringing big coats, it can be handy to have a cloakroom to keep things organised and aesthetically pleasing. 

15. Are there any photography spots that you recommend?

Even though the venue managers aren’t necessarily photographers, they’ve likely seen hundreds, if not, thousands of wedding photos at the venue.

They will know the best spots and can recommend them to you. This is especially helpful if the photographer you hire hasn’t shot this venue before. They might not know of some of these photo-worthy spots.

16. Can we expect any insects e.g. mosquitos, flies, etc. 

It’s always best to be prepared! For example, if mosquitos come out at night – you can be prepared with spray for guests and incense. 

17. What is the weather typically like during my wedding month?

Of course, they can give no guarantees but it’s helpful to ask. They might be able to give you details that the weather reports can’t.

For example, they might know that this specific venue gets breezy in the evening because of its placement on the coast. 

18. Are there any recommended places of interest nearby?

Find out what activities are nearby so that you can recommend this to guests and/or plan various other wedding activities.

19. Is there an event fee is we do another wedding event e.g. a post-wedding brunch Can we self-cater?

If you plan to host another wedding event like a post-wedding brunch or pool party – find out any additional costs.

You might have to pay another event fee. Also ask whether this event also needs to be professionally catered.

20. Is there liability insurance to cover any injury?

Now to the serious stuff! You’ll want to know if the venue has liability insurance. Just in case a drunk guests slips and hurts themselves – you don’t want to be footing any bill!

21. What is the payment and cancellation policy? Is VAT included?

Self-explanatory but important to ask. Most venues require a deposit to lock in your dates, with a final payment close to the wedding.

22. Do you have an alcohol license?

Ask if they have an alcohol license and until what time in the evening it is valid. This limit will probably dictate when your event will end in the evening.

23. Can we bring a crate of wine?

Your family may want to bring a crate of wine or alcohol but the venue might actually prohibit this due to licensing issues.

If they do allow it, also ask if there’s any corkage fee and how much it is. You may think you’ve saving on bringing your own alcohol but that corkage fee might outweigh the savings.

24. Is smoking allowed?

Find out if smoking is allowed indoors or outdoors at the venue. Ask if they have a preferred smoking zone and any ashtrays.

Decor Wedding Venue Questions

25. Can we bring our own decorations?

26. Are you allowed sparklers, candles and fireworks?

Due to fire hazards, the venue might prohibit certain props. Find out if they allow sparklers, candles, and fireworks. If they do allow fireworks – ask if there’s any time limit.

Ask if they allow confetti too – they might only allow biodegradable or natural confetti. If you’re looking for a fun wedding – read here for 32 fun wedding ideas.

27. Do they have white parasols?

If you’re hoping to include those cute white parasols in your wedding – find out if they have any. It could save you a few hundred dollars.

28. Do you have extension cords?

A practicality but important one! Find out if they have a few extension cords. These might be needed for the DJ or microphone at the ceremony. Also find out where they could plug into.

29. Do you have a hairdryer on site?

This question could save you some luggage space! Find out 30 other essential items that you need in your bridal suite.

30. Do you have outdoor heaters?

If you plan to host some of all of your wedding outdoors, ask about outdoor heaters.

31. Do you have outdoor umbrellas?

If your guests are arriving at 4pm in the summer sun, it could be nice for them to have some shade while waiting for the ceremony. Ask about any onsite umbrellas and how many.

32. Is there a list of complimentary decor?

The venue might have a full list of complimentary decor that they have. It could save you some money and also give you more ideas too!

33. Who takes down the decor and cleans up?

It’s important to find out who cleans up after the event. Oftentimes it’s a mix of the various vendors themselves and the venue management.

Travel & Accommodation Wedding Venue Questions

34. Do you have any recommendations for transport to and from the venue? 

If your venue is quite remote, this question is particularly important. It might be easy enough for guests to get taxis to the venue but leaving at 2am might prove disastrous.

The venue might also be limited with parking so asking guests to drive could cause problems. The venue will likely know the most efficient way to move guests to and from the venue – so ask!

Many venues will recommend a shuttle bus to transport most guests to and from the venue. It’s convenient for guests and also leaves you with more control over when people are coming and going.

35. Is Uber easily accessible here?

Ask if Ubers or taxis are easily accessible at your wedding venue. Again, if it’s rural, you could have guests waiting for hours at night for a ride. 

36. Is there onsite free parking? How many spots are available for guests?

Remember that a certain amount of spots will be needed for your vendors.

37. Do you recommend any local taxi company? What are the approximate costs to the venue from the main town?

38. Do they recommend other nearby accommodation for guests? Do they have any discounts?

Oftentimes the venue will have a list of recommended nearby accommodation. Sometimes they’ll have discounts on these too.

Ceremony & Dinner Wedding Venue Questions

39. What is the length of the aisle?

If you’re hoping for a dramatic walk down the aisle then a very short aisle might not work for you! It’s also helpful to know because you can sync your walking-down-the-aisle song to the time it takes you to walk that distance. 

40. Do they offer ceremony furniture?

Some venues only offer the venue itself – you’ll have to hire ceremony chairs. So find out!

If they have their own furniture, find out what it looks like. It might be that it doesn’t suit the aesthetic you’re going for and you still need to hire some.

41. Is there a set-up fee?

Some venues charge to set up the ceremony chairs etc.

42. Do they have a microphone for the wedding ceremony and dinner?

Particularly if you have a large guest count, a microphone is imperative for the ceremony and dinner. Sometimes the venue provides these, and sometimes the music vendors bring them. 

43. What are the pros and cons of each ceremony location?

You might have your mind set on one of their ceremony locations but aren’t aware of some of the disadvantages of it. Ask them their opinions on each spot.

It might be that one is very exposed to the bright sunlight, or one has a short aisle. One might have a higher capacity, another might have a slanted ground which could be uncomfortable for guests. Find out!

44. At what time of day would you recommend we start the ceremony?

Get their opinions on the best time to start the ceremony. They’ll have seen a million wedding timelines and know which is best. Check here for more tips on the best time of day to do a wedding ceremony.

45. What angle will the sun be shining from at that time of day?

Find out where the sun will be during your ceremony. This is important because it might mean most of your guests are sitting in the sun and need some form of respite (e.g. cute white parasols or fans!).

46. Do you provide dinner tables, chairs, lighting?

Just as with the ceremony – find out about dinner furniture options and set-up fees too.

Music Questions To Ask At Your Wedding Venue

47. Where do people usually dance?

Get their options on dance-floor locations in the venue. You should think about the size of the spot in relation to your guest count.

You want it just right where the room feels buzzing and full enough. The last thing you want is a sparse-looking dance floor.

48. Where does the DJ usually set up in the dance hall?

Find out where the DJ or band usually set up at the disco. This can help you envision how the room will look and where you might put any various decor or activities like photo booths. 

49. Are there noise restrictions?

Most venues will have a noise limit in the early morning when the music must stop. Some will have 2 different limits – one for outdoor noise and indoor. 

50. Is there any sound system or should the music vendor provide everything?

Find out what the venue has as this could save you money renting items from the music.

Now you have your checklist of wedding venue questions ready to go! Another bonus of bringing this checklist with you is the vendor will see how organised and serious you are about planning your wedding. They will take you more seriously and will want to work with you. Vendors love working with organised couples as it makes their jobs easier too.

Want more tips on planning the perfect destination wedding in Spain or Italy? Follow our blog!

This post was about the important wedding venue questions that you need to ask before booking.