Wedding Wednesday: 10 Things Couples Forget to Ask Their Wedding Venue

Welcome to Wedding Wednesday! 🤍

Every Wednesday, we’re taking one piece of wedding planning and breaking it down into something a little easier, a little less overwhelming, and hopefully a lot more helpful.

No fluff. No making wedding planning more complicated than it already is. Just the things we think couples should actually know.

So, you found a venue you LOVE…

The photos are gorgeous. You can already picture your first dance there. Your mom loves it. Your fiancé is asking where to sign. 😂

But before you hand over that deposit, there are a few questions you really need answered.

When touring a wedding venue, most couples naturally focus on the big things:

Is our date available?
How much does it cost?
How many people does it hold?
Do we actually like it?

Obviously, those things matter. But there are also a LOT of little details that can make a huge difference in your budget, your planning experience and eventually your actual wedding day.

Here are 10 questions we think every couple should ask a wedding venue before signing the contract.

1. What exactly is included in the price?

And we mean exactly.

Tables? Chairs? Linens? China? Glassware? Setup? Breakdown? Staffing? Cocktail hour furniture?

Don't assume something is included just because you saw it during your tour or in photos online.

A venue package can sound amazing until you realize that half of what you pictured for your wedding needs to be rented separately.

Ask for a detailed breakdown of exactly what is included so you can accurately compare venues and build your budget.

2. What additional fees should we expect?

This is a BIG one.

Your quoted price isn't always your final price.

Ask about service charges, administrative fees, taxes, ceremony fees, cake-cutting fees, corkage fees, cleanup fees, security, valet or parking, overtime and any other charges that could be added.

A venue that initially looks less expensive can sometimes end up costing more once everything is included.

Don't be afraid to ask:

"If we booked this exact package, what would our estimated total actually be?"

That number is much more helpful when you're comparing venues.

3. When can our vendors get into the space?

Your wedding may start at 5:00 PM, but your vendors could need access HOURS before then.

Your florist may need to build centerpieces or installations. Your DJ or band needs time for setup and sound checks. Your photographer may want detail shots before guests arrive.

Ask when vendors are allowed onto the property, where deliveries happen and whether there are any restrictions.

This is especially important if you're planning elaborate florals or décor.

4. Who is responsible for setup AND breakdown?

Please don't assume the venue is doing this.

Who puts out your place cards? Menus? Table numbers? Favors? Guest book? Welcome sign? Memorial photos? Candles?

And here's the part people really forget about:

Who packs it all up at the end of the night?

Because at 11:30 PM, after you've just had the best night of your life, you probably don't want to discover that nobody has a plan for 75 candles, 14 table numbers, a card box and a giant welcome sign. 😂

Find out exactly what the venue handles and what you, your planner/coordinator or another designated person will be responsible for.

5. What happens if it rains?

If any part of your wedding is outside, you need a Plan B.

But don't just ask:

"Do you have a rain plan?"

Ask to SEE IT.

Where would the ceremony move? How many guests does that space comfortably hold? When does the decision have to be made? Who makes the final call? Is there an additional fee?

Hopefully you'll never need Plan B, but you should still be comfortable with what your wedding would look like if you do.

Florida couples... I'm especially talking to you. 😂🌴

6. Are we required to use certain vendors?

Some venues have preferred vendor lists.

Others have required vendor lists.

Those are two VERY different things.

Ask whether you're free to bring in your own photographer, florist, DJ or band, rentals, caterer, cake designer and other vendors.

If you're required to use certain companies, research their pricing and work before signing the venue contract.

You don't want to book your dream venue and then discover that the vendors you're required to use don't fit your budget or vision.

7. Is there a getting-ready space, and when can we actually use it?

That gorgeous bridal suite you saw on Instagram?

Make sure it's actually included.

Ask what time you can access it, how many people it comfortably accommodates, whether you're allowed to bring in food and drinks and how long you have access to the space.

And don't forget about your partner!

Where is the other half of the wedding party getting ready?

Those logistics become especially important when you're building your wedding-day timeline.

8. Are there any décor restrictions?

Before you build an entire Pinterest board around a room filled with candles...

Make sure your venue allows candles. 😂

Ask about open flames, hanging installations, confetti, sparklers, flower petals, tape, nails, signage, ceiling installations and anything else you're considering.

Also ask whether décor has to be removed immediately after the reception.

It's much better to know about restrictions before you've already paid a deposit to a florist or décor company.

9. What does your venue coordinator actually handle?

This one is SO important because every venue is different.

Some venue coordinators are incredibly involved in the wedding day. Others are primarily responsible for the venue, catering and venue staff.

Neither is necessarily a bad thing, you just need to understand what you're actually getting.

Ask specifically:

Will they coordinate the ceremony?

Will they cue the wedding party?

Will they communicate with your outside vendors?

Will they keep your entire wedding timeline moving?

Will they set out your personal décor?

Will they handle problems involving vendors that aren't associated with the venue?

Never assume that "our venue comes with a coordinator" automatically means you have someone handling every aspect of your wedding day.

Ask what they do, and what they don't do.

10. What happens if we go over our contracted time?

Weddings run late.

Dinner takes longer than expected. Speeches go a little long. Everyone is having way too much fun on the dance floor and suddenly your reception end time is approaching.

Find out ahead of time what happens.

Can you extend the reception?

What is the overtime rate?

Can the bar remain open?

Are there additional staffing or security charges?

Will your vendors also need to be extended?

You may never need the extra time, but this is definitely something you want to know before your wedding night.

The biggest takeaway? ASK QUESTIONS!

Lots of them.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions when you're about to spend thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars.

And if something in your wedding venue contract doesn't make sense, ask about it before you sign it.

Your venue is one of the biggest decisions you'll make during wedding planning because it affects almost everything else: your vendors, décor, timeline, guest experience and, of course, your budget.

The prettiest ballroom in the world isn't worth discovering six months later that it doesn't actually work for the wedding you're planning.

And if you're currently thinking...

"Okay, but how am I supposed to know all of the questions I don't know to ask?"

Well...

That's kind of why The Bridal Blueprint exists. 🤍

We help couples confidently plan their own weddings by helping with the details that can quickly become overwhelming from reviewing vendor contracts and creating customized planning checklists to timelines, floor plans, logistics and figuring out what comes next.

You can absolutely plan your own wedding.

You just shouldn't have to figure out every single part of it alone.

Until next Wedding Wednesday! 💍