Choosing a Wedding Venue

March 24 2010

Some tips for choosing your perfect wedding venue:

• Have a rough idea of your guest numbers - no point in finding the perfect venue and it's too small
• Write a list of the key elements you require and mark each venue based on your requirements, such as location, grounds and size etc
• Take photos of the venues (get permission) so you can look back over the photos
• Have your church picked so you can work out travelling time
• If going for civil marriage - does the venue cater for this?
• Get the venue to give you a "walk through" of the day, where you will come in, where your guests will be directed etc. This will give you a great feel for the venue
• Suss out the surrounding area for photo opportunities
• Make sure the prices you are quoted are for the year you are looking to get married in and if it’s a midweek or weekend rate
 

Questions to ask the venue:

• Is there an extra charge for catering for people with dietary requirements, such a vegetarians etc
• What time is the bar open until?
• Is there a charge for bar extension?
• What time is the residents bar open until?
• Are the menus flexible? (if there is something you dislike)
• Is a menu tasting included?
• What are their booking & payment terms? (a lot of hotels are asking for full payment 1 week before the wedding)
• What is their corkage charge?
• Are they child friendly? (if you plan to have children at your wedding)
• Is there a special accommodation rate for guests?
• What is included in the price? - red carpet, T&C on arrival, cake stand etc etc
• Where are wedding photos taken?
• If your thinking fireworks - double check with the venue if it’s been done there before or not, they will know if there are any restrictions on this or not

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