Before you choose your wedding venue there are some key 
questions you need to ask. It’s a great idea to take a printed list of questions along with you when you visit a venue to make sure you get all the answers you need to make an informed choice. Don’t worry that the wedding venue will think you are being picky; they expect brides to have very specific ideas about what they want on their wedding day.
Even when you’ve decided on a venue there will be small details you will want confirmed in writing. Check your wedding venue contract before you sign it to make sure all your questions have been answered. Ask for anything that is missing to be added in. You will be spending a lot of money with your wedding venue and they should be willing to answer as many questions as you want to ask, and to be as accommodating as possible.
Here are thirty questions you might want to ask potential wedding venues, split into five categories:
General questions for your venue
- Do you have availability on our preferred wedding dates?
- Will we have exclusive use of the venue or are there other weddings taking place?
- Do you have standard wedding packages and what is included?
- What is the maximum capacity for a sit down dinner or cocktail party?
Questions about your ceremony
- Are you licensed for civil ceremonies?
- Can you recommend a celebrant for the ceremony?
- Do you allow throwing of rice or confetti after the ceremony?
- Do you have a designated room for the ceremony or can we have it outside?
- Are there any restrictions on photographing the ceremony?
Questions about the catering
- Do you do the catering yourselves or do you use outside suppliers?
- Can we bring in our own suppliers?
- Can we tailor the menu to suit our own needs?
- How do you deal with dietary requirements?
- Do you offer drinks packages and what is included?
- Can we provide our own wine and champagne and will you charge corkage?
- Can we schedule a menu tasting?
- Will you cut up and serve our wedding cake?
Questions about the entertainment
- Can you recommend bands or DJs that have worked here before?
- Do you have a stage, sound system and dance floor?
- What time can the band play until?
- Do you allow fireworks and other decorations such as candles?
- Can you recommend local acts such as magicians, dancers or comedians?
Questions about the accommodation
- Is there a room where the bride and bridesmaids can get ready before the ceremony?
- Do you have accommodation at the venue?
- Is there a discount for accommodation for the bride and groom and wedding guests?
- Do you have deals with local hotels for wedding guests?
- Is it possible to arrange transport for the guests to local accommodation?
- Do you have a car park large enough for all our guests?
- Is there a room we could use as a crèche?
- Can we store wedding presents in a secure room to be collected next day?