Hey, we have crafted a fantastic wedding venue checklist to help you find the perfect wedding venue. But once you’ve filtered down your options and planned any site visits, you got to understand what kinds of questions to ask!

To make this task even easier for you, the Designed Dream team has come up with this comprehensive list of questions to ask a wedding venue—before you agree to put down a deposit.

It shouldn’t have to be risky to spend too much money on your wedding.

Before We Begin Questions For Wedding Venue:

Yes, although we’ve included some important wedding venue questions here, they’re categorized into clear paragraphs to make this easier to read and understand.

Please feel free to add questions to ask when looking at wedding venues that relate to your particular event, if you have any. Also, if you want to have a comprehensive wedding checklist, please visit the mentioned link.

Keep your journal, scheduling binder, or the notes application on your phone ready during your site visit, so that you can identify replies to all these inquiries when outlining your wedding.

Are You Ready? Let’s Dive In!

Wedding Venue Questions Checklist PDF [Printable Copy]

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venue:

The Basics

What dates in the month I am planning are open?

TIP: Some companies offer deals for off-season reservations or for weddings on Sundays to Fridays.

How many people can this location accommodate?
What is the fee for rent and what would be included in the price?
How many hours does the rental fee cover, and if We stay longer, is there an extra fee?
What is it due, how much is the deposit, and is it reimbursable?
Which payment forms do you accept?
May I also have my ceremony here? Is there any other additional cost?
For the bride, groom, and/or wedding party, are there changing rooms?
Can we have a wedding dinner for us here?
How much time for the rehearsal allocated?
What’s your cancellation policy?

TIP: If you cancel long enough in advance, certain sites can refund many of your deposit, since there is always a possibility they will reserve the room. However, you may not be eligible for a refund beyond a certain date, at least not a full one.

Food + Drinks

Do you have an in-house caterer or a “favored” caterer list, or do I have to have my own caterer list? Do I have the choice of using an outside caterer either, even though there is an in-house caterer?
If I hire a caterer of my own, is a kitchen accessible for them?

TIP: If they have to bring in refrigerators and stoves, caterers generally bill extra.

Is there a minimum of food & beverages?
What is the fee for service and tax?
Before we finish our menu list, can we do a food tasting? Is it costing extra?

TIP: Make sure to inquire whether they can agree with dietary requirements and/or allergies to food. It’s normally no problem!

Are they supplied with tables, linens, plates, pans, silverware, and glassware, or will I have to hire them myself or get them from my caterer?
May I bring a cake from my own baker with me or do I have to use a cake made on-site?

TIP: Often they can cancel the cake-cutting charge for you if you inquire if a friend or family member will cut the cake.

Should we bring wine, beer, or champagne of our own?
What about liquor that’s hard?
Is the corkage fee in place?
Are you licensed to supply the facility with alcohol?

TIP: Certain locations are not allowed to supply strong alcohol (like wineries). If you like your booze, you can need to get approval to bring in an outside cocktail catering company.

Décor and Rentals

Are we permitted to put in decorations of our own?

TIP: When designing your own decorations, keep the new décor in mind so that they won’t overlap! And if the case is in December, ask what the holiday décor for the venue is going to be.

Do you have an inventory of décor (lighting, candle holders, vases, etc.) we can borrow from?
Can I move things around or do I have to leave everything as is?

TIP: Certain venues have limitations on whether you can hang stuff from the ceiling or on the walls or not. If you’re fascinated with string lighting, you should take a closer look at this.

May we use candles / confetti / sparklers / fireworks / animals / lawn games / bounce houses / food trucks / insert your own fun-but-possibly-dangerous responsibility here?
Will you have signs or other aids for directing my case to guests?
Do you provide the outdoor areas with heaters and/or umbrellas?

Vendors + Staffing

Can I hire my own suppliers or do we have to adhere to a chosen distributor list?

TIP: Look at our pre-screened vendors. All are top-notch.