Venue visits

In all honesty, it depends on the venue. Some are very good, some are a waste of time!

Being a saturday it's quite likely they could have something set up for a wedding anyway, so it'll be good to give you an idea of what the room looks like set up - we were lucky in that although we went on a friday they were set up with 6 round tables which is exactly what we'd be having.

Is this 'the venue' that you really, really want - or just one of many places you're looking at?

Don't feel pressured to "sign up" there and then despite what discounts they may offer you - if the venue is half decent the discounts will be valid for a time period not "today only".

We're doing "ceremony and reception at same venue" in the New Forest so assuming you've had a good look through their wedding pack so far you should have some sort of idea of what you're looking at wanting, and numbers you're thinking of - although make sure you know the maximum and minimum numbers they cater for.

Also, ask if you can have a look at some of their bedrooms so you know what they offer if you're going to give guests the option of staying at the venue (they pay of course!) - although the 'bridal suite' may not be available they should at least have some pictures to show you.

Not having children I don't know whether having your 2 year old with you will be a problem - it depends whether it's happy so sit quietly whilst other things go on, or whether it has to be centre of attention at all times and a distraction to you and the wedding coordinator.

WHS!

At one venue we were there for 2 hours whilst the co-ordinator showed us all over the place, inside and out and answered all of our questions! Another was a 10 minute in and out, though that might have been partly because we knew quite quickly it wasn't the place for us.

Before you go, have a think about the sorts of things you want to do on your wedding day so you can ask if the venue can accommodate it or if they allow it - e.g. fireworks, dancing etc. You don't want to find out after handing over your deposit that you can't have something you really wanted!

If they agree to make any alterations to their usual terms and conditions for you, make sure you get them to write it on the contract when you come to book!

I think the time you'll spend will depend on how much you love the venue, because the more you do, the more you'll be able to envisage your wedding there which will make you think of questions to ask.

My first meeting took about 20mins (there wasn't much to see because there wasn't any "grounds"). she just showed us the room we got married in and showed us the menu and took a deposit and a we signed a contract regarding the deposit. They didn't go into much detail until a meeting closer to the date so taking the baby should be ok, i'd probably take a pram to sit them in though so they don't go running off.

All venues are different, it depends on the size of the venue also how long it will take.Most will go through the basics with you and point out where things are & how it can be set up. Menus & what packages they have to offer will be given. It is advisable to have a list of questions to ask the venue as well which will help when you are deciding such as accomodation packages, parking, room capacity etc.

If you are taking a 2yr old I would advise taking a buggy if it is a large venue also take something to keep them occupied & a drink & food as they will get bored!

Hi

Go with the baby, and note how they accommodate you. On the day you will have a baby, and guests will too

Each venue will show you what they usually do, but do write a list of questions, if you want to see the rooms, ask to see the rooms. Note how they do or dont respect the privicy of their existing customers when they show you around. We did a venue visit, and to our horror they showed us in every room (even the occupied ones with all the occupants private stuff everywhere)

Know the room price before your meeting, and the prices for the food on a regular night (the set and a la carte menu)

Find out if they have more than one wedidng a day - if they do - how do they deal with it

Find out if they insist you use specific suppliers, and if they do, what relationship (financially do they have) and what are the costs of those suppliers

Probe them on things like chair covers - if you use 100 chairs in the room you get married in, they can use them for the banquet. Their response to a question like this will show you how they work, and spend your money

Before booking visit the hotel on a Saturday, perhaps have a meal, and observe how the staff are working - are they relaxed and efficient or stressed and all over the place..

Our child will be with us on our wedding day so we have taken her to all our venue viewings and decision making meetings. at my first viewing they showed us round the room we would use for our ceremony, meal and evening reception. They also showed us the bridal suite, and other hotel rooms that guests would use and showed us all the hotel facilities.

Then we sat down and I told them my general plan for the day (late ceremony, buffet style meal, evening reception and snack supper) the venue then came back to me a few days later with a price per person for everything plus some additional options and we took it from there.

The next time we went back was to have another quick look round and pay our deposit to secure our date and our final meeting with them was 3 months before where we finalised exactly what we were having.

otherwise everything else has been done by email.

Ask everything you want to know and ask to see everything you want to see.

Its as simple as that!

If they are a good venue, then they'll happily accomodate all your requests.

Thanks all for your helpful replies. I'm going to write a list of questions before Saturday. I think we have sorted a babysitter for Saturday so we can give the venue our full attention.

Michelle