FOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK A PROSPECTIVE WEDDING VENUE
Your wedding day is said to be the most important day of your life and planning this special day can be exciting, daunting and all things in between. Choosing the perfect venue is probably one of the most important decisions you will make about your day so it’s worth doing some research into what you want from your venue. You will undoubtedly have lots of questions to ask a prospective wedding venue, we’ve put together four key questions to ensure are on the list.
1. Is the venue licenced for civil ceremonies?
If you are looking for a venue to host your nuptials as well as your reception, you will need to find out if it is licenced for civil ceremonies, not all venues are. If the venue is not licenced, then you will need to hold the ceremony in a separate location such as a church or registry office then move your guests onto the reception venue.
2. What areas of the venues will be available to us on the day and will we share the venue with other guests?
Many event venues host hundreds of events per year and to utilise their spaces will hold them concurrently. If you are looking for a private venue where you will be the only couple getting married and the venue and grounds only belong to your wedding party, it’s important to ensure this exclusivity with the venue beforehand. If the venue will be holding other events at the same time as your wedding, it’s worth getting a good understanding of which areas can and can’t be used by you and your guests on the day, to avoid any disappointment or confusion.
3. Which members of the venue will be there on the wedding day?
Most venues will appoint a member of the events team to be your wedding planner throughout the entire process who will also assist you on the day. Having one point of contact means you can build a relationship with the venue and feel at ease throughout the process. If the venue doesn’t operate in this way, it’s a good idea to ask which members of the team will be co-ordinating on the day and trying to build a relationship with them prior to the wedding.
4. Do you work with an in-house caterer or do you have a recommended supplier list?
While some venues have an in-house caterer, others may work with a list of recommended suppliers. Both offer great catering options and are usually willing to work with your ideas to come up with something that will suit you day. If you are looking to serve a different or unusual cuisine on your special day, it is worth checking with the venue and the suppliers, ahead of booking, that they can work to you tastes.