What questions to ask venue?

So so many things to ask, I'll just pick a few that I can remember off the top of my head for you:-

Hire charges and packages available.

Is the venue registered to carry out civil ceremonies?

Will your wedding be the only one there on the day?

Do they provide their own decorations or can you bring your own. In which case do they have preferred suppliers?

When can you decorate venue (night before, morning...)

How many does it accommodate?

Cloakroom facilities? Toilet facilities...

Bar license, what time are they allowed to open to? Maybe whether there is a charge for extra hours.

Can you use candles?

Car parking spaces?

If they have a hotel attached, is there discount for block booking?

Menu options and drinks packages. Is there a chance for 'bring your own booze' and corkage fee.

Attendants/waiter staff on the day?

Quiet areas for babies or elderly?

Music system, are you allowed to use? Can you bring in own DJ or do you have to use theirs?

Is there a dancefloor?

Is confetti allowed

Wet weather options for photography if outside can't be used

Is photography allowed by the pro during the ceremony vows (this can be down to the registrar)

Peter

1. Is your venue available on the required date?
2. Is your venue easy to find?
3. Is your venue licensed to carry out civil weddings?
4. If you do hold a license for civil ceremonies, what authority do you come under and can you supply names contact details for the registrar?
5. Will ours be the only wedding at your venue on our wedding day?
6. How many people can you accommodate?
7. How many car parking spaces are available?
8. Do you allow confetti to be thrown at the venue?
9. Do you allow candles to be lit in the reception room?
10. Do you allow professional firework displays at your venue?
11. Do you have landing permission should we want a helicopter to whisk us away after the evening reception?

Room

1. Do you offer the option of a marquee?
2. Are there separate rooms provided for the wedding, reception, meal, evening reception, etc?
3. Is there a room provided for the use of "bride and groom" for the day?
4. Is there a dressing room that the bride and bridesmaids can use prior to the ceremony?
5. 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?)
6. If the evening reception is being held in a room that is being used for something else earlier in the day, do you require the DJ/Band to set-up their equipment beforehand?
7. Is there an area that could be used as a crèche if needed?
8. Is there a quieter area for older guests to get away from the noise of a band/DJ?
9. If rooms are available for overnight accommodation, how many?
10. What are the costs for overnight accommodation?
11. Is breakfast included?
12. What is the checkout time the following day?
13. 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?

Catering



1. Do you insist on doing all the catering?
2. Can you supply examples of suggested menus along with prices?
3. Do you include a cake stand and knife if required?
4. Do you have a preferred order of service (when and where do we cut the cake)?
5. What time do you offer an alcohol license until?
6. What time do you insist the reception finishes by?
7. Do you insist on supplying the wine and champagne?
8. If we are able to supply the wine, what do you charge for corkage?
9. Can you recommend a company to supply our wedding cake?