Questions to ask when looking at wedding venues

Questions to ask when looking at wedding venues:

Venue and Contractual Information

• How many people can this place accommodate? (Let say you are planning on 250 people and the venue’s maximum is 250 that probably means it will be a tight fit for everyone to sit comfortably. So you might want to rethink the venue.)
• Is the site handicapped accessible?
• How many restrooms are there? (4 restrooms per 100 people)
• Is there parking on site?
• If there is no parking on site, where will guests park?
• Is it complimentary? (Make sure to ask especially if you are looking In the Milwaukee area. This probably won’t be a problem if you are looking around the West Bend area because parking usually more abundant.)
• Do you offer valet parking and is the charge? (optional)
• Does the venue have liability insurances?
• How long will I have use of the event space I reserve?
• Is there an overtime fee if I stay longer?
• Is there a minimum or maximum rental time?
• What is the rental fee and what is included in that price? (take really good notes on this so you do not have any surprises when the bill comes)
• How much is the deposit, when is it due, and is it refundable?
• What’s the cancellation policy?
• What’s the payment plan for the entire bill?

Decorations and Setup

• Can I move things around and decorate to suit my purposes or do I have to elave everything as is?
• Are there decoration guidelines/restrictions?
• Can I use real candles? (preferential)
• How early can deliveries be made?
• What time can we start setting up on the day of? Or is it possible to start setup the day before?
• How much time will I have for décor setup?
• Do you have signage or other aids to direct guests to my event?
• Does the venue provide assistance getting gifts or décor back to a designated vehicle, hotel room, etc. after the event has concluded?

Food, Beverage, and Entertainment

·        Do you have an in-house caterer or a list of preferred caterers or do I need to provide my own?

·        If there is an in-house caterer, do I have the option of using an outside caterer instead?

·        If there is an in-house caterer, can I have a food tasting prior to finalizing our menu selections? If so, is there an additional charge?

·        If there is an in-house caterer, what is the food and beverage cost on a per-person basis?

·        If there is an in-house caterer, what is the service charge and is gratuity included?

·        If you need to hire your own, are kitchen facilities available to them?

·        Are tables, linens, chairs, plates, silverware, and glassware provided or will I have to rent them myself or get them from my caterer?

·        Can I bring a cake from an outside maker?

·        Is there a cake cutting fee?

·        Are you licensed to provide alcohol service?

·        Is alcohol cost per-person? By consumption? Open bar? Cash bar?

·        Are there additional fees for bar staff?

·        Is there a bar minimum that must be met before the conclusion of the event?

·        Can I bring my own wine, beer, or champagne?

·        If yes, is there a corkage fee?

·        What is average bar tab for the number of people attending?

·        Are there restrictions on what kind of music I can play or a time by which the music must end?

·        Can the venue accommodate a DJ or live band?