Questions to ask the Venue
You’re engaged! Now what? Time to look for a venue to set your wedding date in stone. When considering and visiting venues, ask these important questions to get the big picture for your big day.
How many hours of event time is included?
This is important to know because you’ll want to make sure you have enough time for a ceremony, cocktails, and reception. These are also details you’ll want to relay to your planner or coordinator to help create a timeline for you. Also inquire of what their overtime fees are, and how many hours of setup and teardown they allot. These are additional details to provide to your planner/coordinator.
What is included with the venue rental?
This is a great question to ask because there are so many different types of venues out there! We find that most venues we work with include food, tables, chairs, and linens, making it hassle-free for couples. Other venues only provide the space, and you will need to bring in a caterer, furniture, and the works. This is best suited for couples who have a specific vision in mind and can handle working with a blank slate - planners love this too! Figure out which types you are comfortable with and take it from there.
Do I need to provide a COI (Certificate of Insurance)?
While this is usually what vendors must provide to venues, we are finding that many venues also require couples to carry a certificate of insurance. Policies can range from $80 - $300+ depending on your guest count, location, and how many days your event will take place. This is something you’ll need to add to your budget if your venue requires you to be insured.
Does your venue allow children?
There are some venues that may not allow children altogether, and this is something you want to ask before booking if you’ve already made up your mind that your guests will be allowed to bring their little ones. Other venues like the wonderful Castle Green in Pasadena require hosts to provide a babysitter during mealtime so that they are being supervised and not running loose in the venue. Parents absolutely love this idea because it gives them time to actually enjoy a meal with other adults while their kiddos are enjoying a movie or other fun activities in the next room.
Can I bring in my own alcohol?
This is a question I get very often from my couples, and it’s one worth asking. Alcohol consumption at the wedding can become a hefty part of the bill on Wedding Night. Some venues will allow you to bring your own alcohol in as long as you hire licensed bartenders to serve them. Others may allow you to bring them in but may charge a corkage fee per bottle. And some venues don’t allow it altogether and will require you to purchase alcohol from their menu. If this is an important part of your celebration, you should definitely be asking this question.
Do you have a plan B if it rains/snows?
Luckily here in Los Angeles and California in general, we don’t get much inclement weather. But, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared, especially if your wedding is an outdoor one. Ask the venue coordinator/manager about Plan B for your wedding in case of rain or snow, and if that would incur additional costs.
What does parking look like at your venue?
Some venues do not have parking facilities and will require you to either contract valet services for your guests, or purchase parking spots at a nearby lot. Other venues have ample parking and will provide them to you at a low or no cost at all. This is important to find out because you may want to include this information in your invitations or on your wedding website so guests are aware.
Can I bring in my own vendors?
This is a great question to ask if you already had vendors in mind that you were thinking of using. A few venues out there may only allow vendors from their preferred vendor list, and this could be because they have established a great working relationship with them. This may also be because the venue has many rules to abide by, and they find keeping their network close works best for them. Some venues may have a preferred vendor list and recommend using the list for your bookings, but might not make it mandatory. The rest of the venues allow you to bring in all your own vendors as long as they are approved beforehand.