Questions to ask when investigating wedding/reception venues

schmink

Hi guys,

I hope to get married next year (we only got engaged three weeks ago!) and have booked some appointments to meet with event managers at a few hotels for this (Sat 29th) to discuss holding both the ceremony and reception. Are there any questions I should be asking them to make sure I get the best deal? Equally, are there any clauses I should look out for? Any suggestions would be very welcome! Thanks x

Horace

Ask if they charge corkage.

When the room will be available, will you have exclusive use (some places may have two weddings on at the same time). If you want to use an outside caterer will they let you? Ask them about menus - will the chef design the menu for you or will you have a standard set menu, when it comes to choosing food will they let you taste it.

Ask them if they will allow you to stay over - will you have a dressing room so that the groom or whoever can get dressed before the wedding.

Do they allow music - will they provide it and if so at what cost (sometimes their DJs are not up to scratch), can you bring in your own entertainment?

If you want a marquee - will they allow a marquee on the lawn (some venues will, some won't).

Try not to get married on a Saturday - go for a week day if possible as venues will be cheaper.

Ask them what their cancellation clause is - if you have to cancel you may end up having to pay for it all.

Ask if they will decorate the room or if you will have to arrange for it to be done.

Negotiate as much as you can - don't be afraid to ask for a discount.

Congratulations and have fun looking around your venues.

schmink

Wow, thank you Horace!! That has given me such a comprehensive list I'm bound to get some kind of bargain out of them. Its a good point about the music as this would be a big thing for my OH and I. I'll let you know how it goes!

Horace

You are welcome schmink - if you want any other advice just give me a shout. If you want an unusual venue let me know where you are and I will see what I can find.

Something else to ask - ask them if they will provide the cake stand and the knife for cutting the cake as part of the deal.

whu

Horace wrote: »

Ask if they charge corkage.

When the room will be available, will you have exclusive use (some places may have two weddings on at the same time). If you want to use an outside caterer will they let you? Ask them about menus - will the chef design the menu for you or will you have a standard set menu, when it comes to choosing food will they let you taste it.

Ask them if they will allow you to stay over - will you have a dressing room so that the groom or whoever can get dressed before the wedding.

Do they allow music - will they provide it and if so at what cost (sometimes their DJs are not up to scratch), can you bring in your own entertainment?

If you want a marquee - will they allow a marquee on the lawn (some venues will, some won't).

Try not to get married on a Saturday - go for a week day if possible as venues will be cheaper.

Ask them what their cancellation clause is - if you have to cancel you may end up having to pay for it all.

Ask if they will decorate the room or if you will have to arrange for it to be done.

Negotiate as much as you can - don't be afraid to ask for a discount.

Congratulations and have fun looking around your venues.

Really informative post -Schmink I would add that when we got married we had a marquee - ask them whether you can get the chairs/tables/decorations etc yourself or whether they would insist on providing these - also insist on food tasting - have fun and good luck!!

paddingtondoo

A couple extra -
Do they have minimum numbers

Do they charge room hire if you only feed guests once

Bar prices

Redleela

Check if the quote includes VAT or if this will be added on. This applies to everything that you arrange for your wedding (e.g. cake, flowers, musicians, venue, caterers etc.). When arranging our wedding I discovered that a few couples have been stung on this and only discovered this when they recieved a final invoice after their wedding.

Other things to ask about:
Parking
Highchairs if children are invited
PA system - do they have one? Is it included.
Dancefloor - do you need one? Sounds odd but you do at some venues.
Catering - children's menu, drinks etc.
Music - does electronic equipment need to be PAT tested? Do you need public liability insurance or does the venue carry it? We found a DJ with his own insurance and PAT tested equipment.

We got a cost per head for our venue and catering including 1/2 a bottle of wine per guest. Useful if you need to know exactly how much you are going to spend (I felt that wine on top was too much of an unknown).

Good luck!