Top 10 questions to ask your wedding venue

A perfect wedding needs a perfect venue – and the only way you’ll know if a wedding venue is the right one for you is by asking the right questions.

With so much to consider, what questions do you need to ask to get a thorough understanding of whether your choice is the right pick for your special day?

To help you on your wedding journey, we’ve broken down the top 10 questions you should always ask your wedding venue.

1. What is the capacity of the wedding venue?

   Regardless of whether you're having a large or more intimate gathering for your wedding, the first thing you’ll want to discuss with your wedding venue is the size capacity. There’s no worse feeling than being swept up in the excitement of all that could be at the venue of your dreams, only to realise it isn’t feasible due to not having enough space (or too much of it!) to accommodate your guests.

   To avoid any disappointment upfront, it’s always a good idea to start by telling your wedding venue a rough number of how many guests you envision for your wedding. The venue can then let you know about options available based on your capacity needs. If they can’t accommodate, you’ll have at least saved yourself a lot of time and effort.

2. How much does it cost to hire the venue?

   Another imperative to ask right from the off is how much it will cost you to hire the venue for the big day. After all, it doesn’t matter how magical a venue is, it must be in line with your wedding budget.

   There’s more to the costs of a wedding venue than just the final figure as well. Consider how the venue expects payment – is there a deposit required upfront? Many wedding venues will also offer payment plans, so understanding how the costs can be spread out over time can also help you when deciding if it’s the right choice for you.

3. Is the venue dry hire or all-inclusive?

   Once you know the venue can accommodate everyone and is within budget, it’s then time to discuss what is included in the costs. Some venues may be dry hire, meaning you have the freedom to craft the venue into exactly what you need but it will be down to you to source everything required. On the other hand, all-inclusive can save you a lot of time by having everything already provided for you, albeit then giving you less flexibility and choice when planning.

   Some wedding venues may also meet in the middle and provide some services as included, so ensure you know what you are getting for your money and whether or not you need to or even can budget for anything extra that may be needed.

4. Do you have a list of preferred suppliers?

   For anything not included, you’ll need to turn to suppliers to help source what you need. Some wedding venues will have a recommended supplier list to help you source what you need – but it’s important to know whether this is a recommendation or a requirement.

   Not being able to choose your own may limit your choices, however, having a list of suppliers to choose from that are vetted and approved by the venue itself means they are likely to be more reliable and also familiar with working to the constraints of that particular venue.

5. What catering options are available?

   What’s a wedding without a great selection of food? When it comes to catering options, you’ll want to know whether catering is available from the wedding venue or if it will need to be sourced elsewhere. Having an in-house caterer can help avoid outsourcing, with many also offering tasting sessions to help you get a taste of what you and your guests can expect.

   Regardless of whether you opt for in-house or external caterers, you’ll want to ensure the menu offerings will excite and delight your guests. This also means ensuring there’s something for everyone, so be sure to discuss dietary requirements if necessary, such as vegan options and any allergies.

6. What drink offerings are available?

   Quality food needs to be accompanied by quality drinks, so it’s worth asking what drink options are also available. Some wedding venues will operate their own bar, so you’ll want to know whether it’s an open bar or whether guests will need to pay per drink.

   Much like with the food, it’s important to know what drinks will be available at the venue. Along with a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, remember to also ask about what non-alcoholic options are available for any guests who may not wish to consume alcohol.

7. What is the cancellation policy?

   Most wedding venues will offer a cancellation policy – but not all cancellation policies are created alike. Ensuring you know how the policy is enforced and key dates to bear in mind for when things may then become part or non-refundable is always extremely helpful should you end up needing to cancel or change venue.

8. How long do I have the venue for?

   Just because you have booked your wedding venue for the whole day doesn’t always necessarily mean you have access to it for those entire twenty-four hours. As such, you’ll want to ask what time you can access the venue to ensure everything is set up correctly, what time your guests can start arriving, as well as what time everyone will need to vacate the venue by.

9. What is the seating arrangement and room layout?

   Envisioning the overall layout of your wedding can be a challenge, but you’ll want to ensure the room layout works for you and your guests. Consider if the layout allows for everyone to mingle and enjoy themselves freely without the need to awkwardly navigate around tables and chairs. If there is a seating arrangement, ask what this layout will look like and if there is flexibility in how guests can be arranged.

10. Are there any venue restrictions?

    Finally, it’s good practice to know if there are any restrictions the wedding venue has in place that you’ll need to keep in mind. Common restrictions include limiting noise after a certain time and prohibiting the use of open flames such as candles, but having a talk with your wedding venue about any restrictions in place can help avoid any surprises.

At the Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House, we pride ourselves on creating a truly memorable occasion for you and your guests. Click here for more information on our wedding offerings, or get in touch with a member of our experienced team.