Things to ask the venue before booking

I found a list online and changed it around for what we were looking to do, hope this helps (sorry for the lay out if copied it over from a word doc and its gone a bit crazy)

1. How many car parking spaces are available?
2. Do you allow candles to be lit in the reception room?
3. When can we have access to begin setting up the room in terms of decorating it with balloons, flowers, banners, etc? (Morning of wedding, day before, etc?)
4. Is there a quieter area for older guests to get away from the noise of a band/DJ?
5. Recommendation for local hotels
6. Do you have a room where you are able to store wedding presents until you are able to collect them and are you insured for any loss or damage to these presents?
7. What time do you offer an alcohol license until?
8. What time do you insist the reception finishes by?

10. Do you insist on supplying the wine and champagne?

11. If we are able to supply the wine, what do you charge for corkage?

12. How much is the corkage and the water - does it have to be bottled?

13. Do you have a Public Address (PA) system that can be used for speeches?

14. Do you supply or can you recommend a DJ or Band?

15. Is an in-house wedding co-ordinator provided?

16. Are children and disabled people catered for?

17. When does the deposit and final payment need to be made by?

19. What is the policy on postponement/cancellation?

20. Is a toastmaster included in the price?

21. Is VAT included in prices quoted?

22. Is there the opportunity to see how the venue looks dressed up for another wedding first?

23. Are there disabled facilities?

24. Are there any noise restrictions? (ie, can we have a live band?)

I recall a thread where people were complaining that they found out very late in the day that there wasn't a food tasting included at the venue.

I remember being thankful that it was at ours, as I hadn't know there was a possibility that is WOULDN'T be included. It just seemed ridiculous to me that this wouldn't happen.

Some people were being charged over £100 to go for a 'special tasting evening' with other couples no doubt. Others just couldn't have a tasting at all due to the caterers only being present during functions, and so not available at any other time to cook up a selection of dishes.

Believe me, a tasting is needed. We tasted three starters and two were awful. The main we proposed ourselves (off menu) at time of booking, and was agreed. The desserts - we tasted six and picked the best.

Most of my questions are related to the venue we're looking at but I will share the ones that could be useful ha.

Is water provided at the tables during the meal? Is there a charge?

Minimum number of guests required?

Does it have a bar? If so, is it cash only or do they accept card payments?

Photos! If the weather is not ideal, are there rooms suitable for photos?

Does the quote include linen/napkins or is there a separate charge?

Is there a restriction on how many choices for each course in the meal?

Do the venue decorate with what you provide or do you have to do that yourself? Also, discuss clean up arrangments for afterwards.

Corkage fee included in drinks bought from the venue? Or if supplying own, do they charge for that?

Hope that helps.

Can I just add, that what ever you do agree with the venue, you GET IN WRITING, before you pay the deposit...

I've had so many Brides say they agreed this or that with a venue, only for them to deny all knowledge closer to the day.

Pete

I did a little post about it a while ago here. Hope that helps.

Can't agree with this enough. I requested everything to be confirmed in writing. We actually went to the venue for a scheduled meeting to sign the contract and hand over the deposit. When we looked it over, they didn't have the last few bits that we'd agreed verbally added into the contract in writing. We actually asked them to give us a ring when it was ready and left the venue without signing. We went back 2 weeks later when they finally said it was all done, and signed off what we'd agreed.

Funnily enough, a year later and one month before the wedding they tried to charge us £500 separately for our coaches to transport our guests to/from the venue. This cost was one of the additions we'd had written into the original contract, before we agreed an overall price for the entire wedding. I politely refuted the bill and sent them a copy of our contract back.

As we also wanted to go off-menu for some of our food, we also got the details of the main course written into the contract before signing. The owner 'forgot' about that too, and had to be reminded we'd agreed off-menu at point of contracting.

Thank you everyone, that's really helpful! Am getting it all together in a list to check with them. I find it much easier to have a list I can email over, rather than standing in person with them - I always forget something!