Wedding Planning Advice and Tips from the Experts in share their knowledge

Once you have selected a few different venue options, you will need to start down the exciting road of “weeding”. Be sure to call and make an appointment to stop by, take a tour of the facility and get your questions answered to you can start “wedding” out your options! Here are a few things to ask your prospective venue:

• Who will be supervising and troubleshooting before and on my wedding day? Can I meet them now?
• Do you have a venue coordinator? Can I hire my own personal coordinator?
• How many people will the venue hold comfortably? And what are your layout options? Can you see pictures from past weddings so you can get ideas?
• Do they charge a flat fee/a per hour fee or a per head fee?
• Do they provide services beyond rental of the venue (catering, bar service, DJ, linens, ect.)? If not, do they have any restrictions on off-site vendors?
• Do they offer different packages which allow me to work within my budget? This will help eliminate some of the more expensive venues, if you are on a tight budget and if you are willing to be slightly non-traditional, be sure to ask if certain days like a Thursday or Sunday, offer a discounted rate.
• What all is included in the quoted price? Ask for a breakdown of services and/or package details.
• What's the cancellation policy?
• Is there a payment schedule? What kind of deposit is required and when is it due?
• Be sure to ask for a receipt and keep track of all of your payments. The better organized you are, the better your wedding will go.
• Ask about specifics like do they have somewhere for you and your bridal party to get ready? Is it included in the price? How early can you be there to get ready and is there a time that you have to be out by?
• What are the overtime charges in case the reception runs over the allotted time?
• Do they have any restrictions on decorations or noise?
• If it is an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rainy days? If not, is there a place that I can put up a tent?
• If food is provided in-house, ask when you can set up an appointment to stop by a taste their food.
• Find out if they have a liquor license. And if so, find out what type of rules or restrictions they may have. Some venues allow you to bring in your own liquor, while others make you use their own in-house bar and bartender.
• Discuss parking. Some venues may offer valet parking while others offer adequate-sized parking lots for all of your guests.