Once you've found a suitable venue for your ceremony, ask a lot of questions before signing an agreement or contract. Here are suggested questions you may want to ask What is the legal occupancy allowed for the venue?
Will the venue be available of the date/time of your ceremony?
Are any other weddings scheduled for the same day?
What is the rental fee for the venue? How many hours does this include? Does it allow time for decorating and un-decorating? Is it available for the wedding rehearsal? If so, is this fee included, or is it extra?
Are there any other extra or unexpected fees that may be charged? If so, what are they?
How are fees to be paid? A deposit now? The balance when?
Do you provide such things as an aisle runner, silk flower arrangements, candles, kneeling bench, and so on?
Do you furnish a lighting technician, wedding coordinator, janitorial services, musicians, and so on? If so, are there extra fees for these services?
Are there any restrictions regarding the decorations, such as attaching floral bouquets at the end of each pew or aisle? to the walls? To candle scones?
If it's a religious venue, are there any restrictions regarding musical selections, modesty of wedding attire, flash photography, readings, poems, use of lighted candles, and so on?
If it's a religious venue, are there also restrictions as to who may officiate? Are we obligated to use the venue's clergyman, rabbi, or priest? Or may we have our pastor or civil officiant marry us?
Are there any restrictions on tossing items (rice, petals, bird seed?
What type of guest parking is available?
Are there bride and groom dressing rooms?
Does the venue have wheelchair accessibility?
Does the venue offer outdoor facilities?
Ashlee Williams is a wedding planner and editor of Merry Brides. She will help you plan a fabulous wedding while staying on a budget. You can also check her out on Merry Brides Twitter for a lot of great wedding advice and ideas.
