What to look for when doing a wedding venue viewing
You’ve whittled down your favourite venues based on their website information, reviews online, your phone call with them and now it’s time to take the next big step and visit the venue. You should then follow up with a phone call to the wedding coordinator of that venue and then schedule an appointment.
From that point and until you visit, you should have a notebook or use a notepad on your phone and compile questions. There are no stupid questions. Most wedding couples are in the same boat as you. Wedding coordinators are paid to give you information and ensure that you have all of the information that you need.
- Visit – When you arrive, I recommend that you arrive early and go for a walk around before making yourself known to reception. Check out the service in the bar, restaurant and one of my pet peeves, check out the cleanliness of the toilets. Wedding days are very busy so it’s important that standards don’t slip when a venue is busy! You may build up more questions from your walk through. When you are being shown around, some of your questions may be answered so wait until the end of the visit to ask your outstanding questions. Most hotels conduct their show arounds in the sequence of how the day is run.
- Function room considerations: When you are looking at a function room, it is important to be able to visualize the room as it would appear on your wedding day. For most venues, they wouldn’t have the venue set up for a wedding unless there was a wedding on the following day or that day. A lot of venues host Open Viewings whereby you can see the room set as it would be on your wedding day.
When you are looking at it dressed:
- Take a look at the linen – is it creased, are there stains?
- What is the lighting like in the room?
- Will you need to add some lighting such as uplighters, light up dance floor or fairy light backdrop?
- Is the bar inside the room? If it is outside the room, your guests may congregate around the bar. This could result in your wedding party being broken up. How big is the bar?
- What are the logistics for arrival, is there a private room/bar for guests or is it in the general lobby and is there room for some pre-reception entertainment should you choose to have it
- Where are the wedding guest toilets? Are there separate toilets for wedding guests?
- What is the flooring like – is it tired and worn?
- Does every light fitting have a working light bulb? If not up to standard, your photos will need to be photo-shopped by your photographer.
- Is there wheel chair access?
- Where is the kitchen (this can tell you if the kitchen is far away, food can lose temperature or take time to get to your guests?
- Look up! Are there cob webs?
- Is there a stage for the band or do they set up on floor level?
- What décor is included?
- Will you need to bring in suppliers?
- Are there fresh flowers?
- Is there a PA system for speeches?
- What is the capacity of the room and what is the ‘afters’ capacity?
- Does the room have to be changed after the meal, where do guests go?
- What is the air conditioning or heat situation?
- Is there a cake table and stand?
- Where do you get your photographs taken?
- Is there any issue with you DIY’ing?
- Is there draping / fairy light backdrop or can you bring your own?
Overall, there is a lot to take in and if you don’t get to ask everything on your first show around, don’t worry, send a follow up email to the person you met.
Once you get to grip with the physical venue, you will discuss the packages and pricing and you can see some tips here.
Photo credit: Conor Brennan Photography
Venue: Castle Leslie
Best of luck! For more information on booking your wedding venue or how to plan your wedding day the best way, you can download my Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide!
