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In my last venue post, I talked about The One (aside from the mans of course, haha) – our venue, the Pierre Hotel. While we were so relieved to secure our venue and date, it was certainly a stressful process. What I found really helped was having a set list of questions to ask for each potential venue to get a better understanding of how that venue would work for us:
1. Is our date available? For us, we were pretty flexible about dates, but if you have a specific one in mind, this is crucial!
2. How many people can the space accommodate? Or in our case, what is your minimum? You want to make sure Aunt Sally has a seat, but that you’re not breaking any fire codes!
Not too big, not too small.
3. How many events do you host at once? I wanted ours to be the only wedding hosted by the event that day. When you are spending so much time and resources on one day, we wanted to make sure that the venue would be as focused on our event as we would be.
4. Do you have preferred and/or required vendors? Some venues have a list of specific florists or lighting designers from which you’re required to choose. I found it helpful to know this in advance.
There were many more questions on my list – but those four proved to be a good starting point on whether a particular venue was a “Yay!” or an “eh. Nay.”
My previous venue post:
What were some questions you asked during your venue search?
I wish I would have asked your third question!
I got married at a country club with only one room so I made the assumption I was their only event, and they never told me otherwise!
Imagine my surprise when i arrived at the country club and there was a large white tent out back! I wasn’t happy!
THANK YOU! These are excellent questions that I will definitely remember to ask when I go look at venues. It didn’t occur to me how difficult finding a venue would be, and I’m sure asking these questions will make it so much more easy.
Ooh, good post, Miss Hamster! A question that was important to us:
“What time do we have to be out?”
One of the questions that we asked was, “What is included in the rental fee?” To our delight, we discovered that all the tables and chairs including set-up and take-down would be provided by our venue. We didn’t have to worry about renting this stuff from an outside vendor. 
Another question that we asked was “How early can we come in to decorate?” I wanted to make sure we had plenty of time before the ceremony to get things done.
Another good thing to ask is whether or not the space varies based on the guest list size. One venue we looked at wouldn’t let us have the big, pretty ballroom because our number was looking like 150 and they said it would have swallowed our group whole. I think they were really hoping to have 2 events at once, but whatever.
The venue we ended up using didn’t tell us until a week before that because our guestlist number had dropped (we went down to about 125) that we would no longer get the other room on that floor (and I didn’t even think about the fact that was the side with balcony access, I was not pleased).
I love those pictures! Too funny. I went in with a whole host of questions, it felt a little crazy to ask them all but I left well informed!
Great questions.
We basically asked all the questions on the list and some of the ones from the comments (like how early we’re allowed to decorate).
We also asked if we were allowed to throw confetti at the reception area (in a hotel), and if we could hang decorations from the ceiling (like those fluffy tissue balls that look like clouds - ah, they really made our reception special).
Make sure to ask what is included in the rental fee. Often there are extra fees for security, child care, bartenders or security deposit. Also ask if they can pencil you in for the date you want so you will be notified if someone else wants your date. It helps when you’re in the final stages of deciding on a venue.
I brought the vendor question template that a Bee made (I think its in the DIY section) but completely forgot to ask the questions on it at my first venue because I was so excited!
That’s a great list to start with - one more reason I love Weddingbee - reminds me of things I might not think about otherwise. I’d just walk in “so you do weddings?” “And this date’s free?” “SOLD!”
When my wife and I were planning for our wedding? Venue was a big headache, because we were kind of like last minute and most places were fully booked. And our priority was that the restaurant at the venue has to serve great food.. That was tough!
So my advice, leave plenty of time to plan for a venue..
Another good question to ask is, “May I hang things (e.g. drapes) from the walls?”
Good things to think about. Some other important questions:
1. Do you have a back up option for if it rains? (if it’s an outdoor venue)
2. Do you have a liquor license (i.e. can I bring my own booze in to save $$?)
3. What all is included? Venue coordinator, etc.
Great suggestions! We did tons of decorating ourselves, so finding out how early in the day we could have the venue was an important question for us!
Good list! Not related, but does it drive anyone else nuts that in that bride wars picture, they’re both holding their bouquets like clubs? Hold them at belly button level, ladies! Belly button level!
Hahaha Miss French Fries “Belly button level!”
Somehow, I have a feeling that will be ingrained in my head come wedding day.
Oooh venue searching is so stressful! I haven’t even started looking for real yet and it’s already stressing me out. Thanks for the tips, though, they’ll for real be helpful!
Great questions, everyone! Thanks for sharing!
@Miss French Fries: I’m guilty of holding the bouquet right under my chin (when I was a bridesmaid x2). I just get so nervous! I’ll hear your voice in the back of my head during the wedding day though, lol.
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Mrs. Hamster, New York City Age and Occupation: 28, Finance Gal Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Finance Guy Engagement Date: March 9, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: The Pierre Hotel About Me: I'm an original Jersey girl living it up in the big NYC! I love baking for others, hosting brunches, and exploring NYC with my mans. Besides Mr. Hamster (of course), I'm attracted to shiny things, bold colors, snacks, matching and coordination, pork and duck fats, miniature versions of things, corny jokes and puns. We are planning a swanky Spring wedding in the heart of NYC, followed by a second reception in Singapore. From one city that never sleeps to another - I can't imagine a more exciting ride!
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