50 Questions You Have to Ask Your Wedding Venue (Before You Sign Anything)
You’ve found a wedding venue that looks like something straight off Pinterest.
The vibes are vibing, your vision board is screaming, and you’re this close to sending the deposit.
--
Pause. Just for a second.
Before you lock anything in, you need to ask the right questions.
Not the cute ones like
“so errm like what kind of chairs do you guys like... have??💅”
No.
I’m talking the real, nitty-gritty, will-this-place-ruin-my-wedding questions.
Because here’s the thing: venues can be stunning but also sneaky.
And you don’t want to be the bride stuck paying $500 to use their extension cords or finding out the bathrooms are... a health hazard.
This list?
It’s everything you need to ask — so you don’t end up stuck, stressed, or wishing you’d double-checked the fine print.
Let’s get into it.
Logistics That Could Make or Break Your Day
1. What’s the actual capacity with tables, dance floor, and everything set up?
2. How many hours do we get the space for? Is that enough time for setup + breakdown?
3. What time do we have to be out?
4. Are there any noise restrictions or curfews?
5. Is there a getting ready space for both of us? (And is it air-conditioned? Let’s be real.)
6. How many weddings do you host per day?
7. What happens if it rains? (And don’t just say “we have a plan”—what is the plan?)
8. Is the venue handicap accessible? For guests and vendors?
9. Can we do both ceremony and reception here? If so, is there a flip plan?
10. Are there backup generators? (Because power outages are not part of the aesthetic.)
The Dollars and Details
11. What’s the total venue rental fee—and what’s actually included?
12. Is there a payment schedule? Deposit amount? When’s the balance due?
13. Are there any extra fees I should know about?
(Cleaning, security, mandatory tips?)
14. What’s the cancellation/reschedule policy? (Read: worst-case scenario coverage.)
15. Do you require wedding insurance?
16. Do you offer any discounts for off-peak dates or weekdays?
17. Do you have payment plans or is it one giant soul-sucking chunk?
Food, Booze, and All the Fun Stuff
18. Do you have in-house catering? Can we bring our own?
19. Do you allow food trucks or late-night snack vendors?
20. Can we do a tasting before booking catering?
21. Is there a cake-cutting fee? (Yes, that’s a real thing and it’s rude.)
22. Do you allow outside alcohol? If not, what’s your bar pricing?
23. Are there any corkage fees or alcohol rules I should know about?
24. Can we customize the bar (signature drinks, mocktails, etc.)?
Quick pause...
If your brain is already spinning just reading all these venue questions—
first of all, you’re not alone.
Between guest counts, budgets, schedules, RSVPs, contracts, and whether or not the venue includes chairs
(why is that always a mystery tho?)— wedding planning gets real overwhelming ....really fast.
That is why I made a Wedding Planning Bundle because I got tired of seeing brides stressing over a million little things that could’ve been handled way easier.
This bundle pulls it all together into one place.
When you Purchase this Bundle you will get 3 Powerful tools;
A Guest List Spreadshett Tracker: that actually handles RSVPs, plus-ones, dietary stuff, gifts... all of it.
A Budget Spreadsheet Tracker that handles wedding budget, weddding purchases, vendor payments...everything
And a Digital Wedding Planner which has sections for your vision board, vendor questions, ceremony floor plan, vows, photo & video plans, rehearsal dinner, honeymoon — and so much more
---
It’s clean, it’s actually useful, and it’ll help you breathe a little easier while you ask all the right questions
So if this sounds like something you need you can check it out here
Vendors & Restrictions (AKA: Can I Use My Dream Team?)
25. Do you have a preferred vendor list? Are we required to use them?
26. Can we bring our own photographer/DJ/florist/caterer?
27. Are there any vendor restrictions or licensing requirements?
28. Do you require vendors to carry insurance?
29. Do vendors have early access to set up?
30. Is there a venue coordinator? And what do they actually do?
Decor & Setup (Don’t Skip This Section)
31. Can we move furniture or bring in rentals?
32. What’s your policy on candles, sparklers, confetti, etc.?
33. Can we hang things from the ceiling/walls? (And how?)
34. Are there any décor rules we should know about?
35. Are tables/chairs/linens included? What do they actually look like?
36. Do you offer setup and breakdown, or is that on us?
Parking, Bathrooms, and Other Not-So-Sexy Essentials
31. How many bathrooms are there? Are they nice? (Be honest.)
32. Is there onsite parking? Is it free? Is there enough?
33. Is valet or shuttle service required or available?
34. What’s the parking situation for vendors?
Accommodations & Guest Experience
31. Are there hotels or accommodations nearby?
32. Do you offer room blocks or partnerships with local hotels?
33. Is there enough cell service or Wi-Fi on-site?
34. Can guests leave cars overnight?
35. Are Ubers/Lyfts easy to get here, especially late?
The Vibe Check
31. Can we schedule a walkthrough close to the wedding date?
32. Can I see photos of recent weddings here? (Not just your styled shoots.)
33. Do you have any rules about music volume or song choices?
34. What’s the weirdest request a couple has made? (Their answer tells you everything.)
35. Why do couples not book your venue? (If they’re honest, this one is GOLD.)
Oh and btw...
if you enjoyed this blog post don't forget to **SAVE THIS PIN** so you can come back to it again later)
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
You’re not being annoying.
You’re being a smart, prepared, wildly impressive bride.
Asking the right questions now saves you from future regrets, surprise fees, and wedding day meltdowns.
Save this blog post, copy some of the questions to your notes, and don’t leave until you get answers.
If they get weird or dodgy when you ask—trust your gut.
A dream venue should give you dream answers.
Period.
P.S. If you haven’t grabbed the Wedding Planning Bundle yet, now’s a good time.
It will really make your planning process so much easier.
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