We’re experts in the art of venue whispering and have compiled a series of tips and questions to help you during
your venue search.
Download our questions to take with you on visits, scribble notes and focus on finding the place that feels
magic.
Before You Start
Get organised – Your venue selection will set the tone for many other
decisions on your planning journey, so organisation is your friend. Get serious and create a spreadsheet
of venues you want to visit so you can keep track and make notes as you go. This will help you whittle
things down to a shortlist.
Stay a team of two — Gathering opinions of those you love on key
planning decisions feels very tempting, but with these first venue visits, we urge you to keep it
between the two of you. Gut instinct for you as a couple will be crucial, and too much noise will
confuse things. After you’ve got a shortlist, it’s a great idea to talk to the people who really get you
to help sort through your own thoughts about each delicious venue you’ve seen!
T&C's
Check the fine print — Nobody likes talking business, but this one’s important
enough for us to put it before we get to the fun stuff!
If you can, take home a copy of the venue's T&C's after your first visit so you can consider
your decision with your heart and your head. And make sure you’re both completely clear on the venue's
costs before signing on the dotted line.
The Basics
The first questions to ask
- Can the venue hold both the ceremony and reception?
- Which local authority does the venue come under?
- What is the venue capacity for both the ceremony and dinner?
- Does the venue have a specific supplier list they prefer you to work with?
- What is included in the hire price? (Hint: catering, coordinator, accommodation etc.)
- If the venue has its own caterers, does the price include a tasting?
- How flexible is the catering to suit your wedding style? (E.g., Meze boards, sharing platters, hog roasts, BBQ, formal dining, street food)
- Will your wedding be the only wedding at the venue on the day? If not, how many weddings do they hold in one day?
- Can you hire the venue exclusively? What is the difference in cost, and what extras are included?
TIP: Be happy with the entire space—see all the rooms available for your wedding party and make sure each one suits your wedding style.
Logistics
Questions to ask
- Will there be a turnover time of rooms and where will your guests go during this time?
- Is there a policy about children attending, and does the venue need to be child-free at any time?
- Can you hold a walk-through on the day before your wedding day?
- Is there ample parking for your guests?
- What is the local transport like?
- Do they have an approved taxi list?
- What is the closest city/town/village?
- Are there any local events happening on the date of your wedding?
- Can the venue give you an example of a wedding day timeline?
- What information does the venue need from your suppliers who will be working on-site? (Public Liability/PAT testing etc)
- When can you come back for a second visit?
TIP: Spend some time getting to know the area. It’s great to make recommendations to your out-of-town guests wanting to make a weekend of it!
Accommodation
Questions to ask
- Is there accommodation on site for guests? If so, what is the capacity?
- Will the venue offer any discount on hotel rooms taken by your guests?
- If the venue does not have accommodation, then where does the venue recommend locally?
TIP: Always see the bedrooms offered for your wedding party and guests. Your photographer will no doubt be with you when you’re getting ready, and if you’re staying in the venue the night before, you want the rooms to be gorgeous for these shots (and, of course, functional – think lighting and mirrors!).
Planning the details
Questions to ask
- Do they have an in-house wedding coordinator?
- Are they happy for you to use an external wedding planner/stylist?
- Does the venue allow confetti to be thrown?
- Are lit candles allowed in the venue?
- Does the venue have a noise limiter fitted or can you turn the music all the way up?
- Can you have a professional fireworks display at your venue?
- Are you allowed sparklers (handheld) at your wedding?
- Does the venue have landing permission (should you want to be fancy and have a helicopter whisk you away!)
TIP: Ask to see photographs of previous weddings and the kind of style/level of detail they had at the venue. If your venue is a blank canvas, this can also help you get a sense of the feel of your wedding.
Indoor/Outdoor
Questions to ask
- What are the weather contingencies at your venue?
- Is there an option to get married outside?
- Marquees - do they have a recommended supplier, or can you hire your own?
- If your venue has gardens, what will be in flower for your wedding at the time of year? Ask to see photos to visualise, especially if you are visiting out of season.
TIP: If you are considering a venue that is flexible about which kind of marquee you have, ask the marquee company that you wish to hire from if you can see one of their marquees up at your chosen venue or at another one if they haven’t got any booked.
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