Planning the perfect wedding is an exciting journey, and viewing wedding venues to find the right spot is a big piece of the puzzle. The location sets the tone for your special day, so it’s essential to ask the right questions during your venue viewings. Here are ten questions that align with the relaxed and thoughtful approach you’ve come to expect, ensuring your venue fits seamlessly into your dream wedding.
Still looking for your perfect venue? Read 6 Central London Hotel Wedding Venues here!
1. How is sunlight managed during the ceremony at your wedding venue?
The natural glow of sunlight can enhance the beauty of your wedding ceremony, but too much can pose challenges. Ask about the venue’s approach to sunlight during the ceremony. Are there shaded areas or provisions for shielding guests from harsh rays? Ensuring the comfort of your guests and capturing flawless photos are paramount, making this question an essential starting point in your venue discussions. You don’t want to be squinting in your wedding ceremony photos! If you do also happen to have a hot day, guests may want to be shaded from the sun to avoid the heat.
2. What is your wedding venue’s backup plan for wet weather?
Mother Nature doesn’t always adhere to the wedding script, especially in the UK! Discuss the venue’s contingency plans for wet weather during your wedding venue viewing, ensuring a seamless transition if your dream outdoor ceremony faces unexpected rain. Make sure you have a plan for both wet and dry weather, and ask your wedding venue during your viewing to walk through your day with you, covering both eventualities, so you know exactly what will happen if Plan B is a must, and that you are happy with it.
3. Culinary Considerations: Who are your preferred caterers?
Food is a big deal in my book, and you want your wedding feast to be memorable. Make sure to ask during your wedding venue viewing who their go-to culinary maestros are and what specialties can you expect. Many venues will offer a few different choices for you to choose from, some will offer their own in-house catering, and others will have a sole catering – meaning they are an external company, but they are the only catering company they allow. You want your guests raving about the food long after the last dance! Make sure to also get a quote from the venues preferred caterers before you commit, as you may then have a shock if the caterers you must choose are out of your budget.
4. Can we bring our own suppliers, and are there associated charges?
You have a dream team of wedding suppliers in mind, and you want to make sure they’re part of your big day. Always check if you can we bring in your own suppliers, and are there any sneaky charges you should know about. It is very normal for a venue to stipulate which caterer to use, or give you a choice, but make sure the same isn’t said for other supplier such as florists and décor companies.
5. Cost Clarity: What’s included in the venue cost?
Check exactly what the venue hire charge includes during your wedding venue viewing. Some may have packages which include food and drinks etc, others will literally just give you the space – known as a dry hire venue. Make sure whatever the venue promises to include, that it is written up in a contract so there is no miscommunication later down the planning process which could then cause you stress.
6. Can we use lit real candles at our wedding venue?
For that touch of romance, it’s all about the real candles! Can you light them up, or is there a no-candle policy? If you are envisioning a warm and intimate vibe, this detail is pretty important! Make sure to check this when viewing your potential wedding venues if candles are a must for you. Many will say that you can have them as long as they are covered or in a holder which is taller than the candle. Many will ask for no candles on the floor, ie. down the aisle or in front of your top table (this isn’t always the best idea anyway as they can easily be kicked!)
7. Set-Up Schedule: When can we start setting up the wedding venue?
If you are wanting to get into your venue the day prior to set out your own place cards and favours, then you will need to make sure with your wedding venue that this is possible first. Always check this at your venue viewing. If this isn’t possible and you only get access on the day, make sure you have a co-ordinator on hand to go in and do this for you – you will be far too busy being pampered and drinking champers!
8. Tear-Down Timing: When can we start setting down our wedding venue?
Just like setting up, setting down timings need to be discussed. If all of your decorations need to be dismantled at the end of the night, this will need to be discussed with all of your suppliers, and again, we would highly recommend having a co-ordinator on hand to do this, as you definitely won’t want to! This is especially important if you have a dry hire venue. This is always a question which gets missed or not fully understood, leaving couples to then have to worry about sorting a solution – not ideal! So make sure you have a full understanding of what needs to be taken down and when.
9. Is the wedding venue exclusively ours, or will there be other events?
Privacy is important, and we want your wedding to feel personal. Can your venue confirm if the venue is exclusively yours, or will there be other events happening simultaneously or guests still staying within the property if there is accommodation onsite? If so, how will your wedding venue manage this to make sure there is no interruptions? Equally, are there other weddings on the same day, and how is this then managed?
10, Are fireworks and confetti allowed?
You may have your heart set on fireworks or a certain type of confetti for a shot you are thinking of in a certain place. Make sure to check this at your wedding venue viewing. Some venues won’t allow fireworks due to disturbing the local area or animals etc. It could also be against their health and safety or insurance policies. For confetti, many venues will ask for it to be used in a certain place and for it to be biodegradable! Not sure what confetti to buy – pop on over to episode 1 of the podcast Let’s Get You Wed where we discuss the best option to use here!
These questions are all important to ask to make sure you know the exact requirements for your suppliers, and so you have a full understanding of the day. You don’t want any surprises later down the wedding planning line! Need a co-ordinator for your venue as we’ve mentioned in this blog? Find out more about our on the day management service here.