Wedding planning can get a bit crazy. It’s like you’re experiencing a whole new world! As a Colorado wedding photographer, I want help my couples find a venue that truly resonates with their wedding day goals. Finding a venue that actually fits your vision? That’s a game-changer. So why in the world does a photographer care about helping you find the perfect venue? Basically, a dreamy venue = dreamy photos. The right space makes your wedding day feel effortless. It helps your confidence in photos too. And let’s be real, the better the vibe, the better the photos! Once you’ve found a few venues that fit your vibe, go through these questions to ask your wedding venue before touring to save time and avoid disappointment!
Top Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venue Before You Tour
1. Can we hop on a call before I come for a tour?
This is a great place to start so that you can ask all these questions and more. It’s wise to set up a call first, if possible, so that you don’t fall in love with the venue after the tour and end up disappointed in something that the venue doesn’t allow or that they can’t accommodate.
2. Are there any restrictions or guidelines that we should be aware of when planning our wedding here, such as guest count limits or noise ordinances?This is a big one! Many venues that are close to residential homes have sound restrictions. This means that your DJ won’t be able to play that music too loud! And that may result in less people on the dance floor. If it’s important to have your guests dancing on the dance floor with loud enough music to keep the vibe and your guests energized all evening, probably skip out on venues with noise restrictions.
3. What vendors are included in the package offering(s) and is there an in house caterer?
I know of a few venues that only allowing catering or alcohol from specific vendors or do catering themselves. For example, Wedgewood locations and Oaks at Plum Creek have their own catering. Spruce Mountain Ranch only allows Peak Beverage. There can also be additional fees including gratuity and taxes for in house catering.
4. Related to above: If catering is provided, what is the food and beverage minimum?
This question is just as important as finding out if there is an in house caterer. If you plan on having a microwedding, you want to make sure that your guest count meets the minimum requirements from the venue.
5. Are there any indoor facilities or backup plans in case of inclement weather on the wedding day?
Some venues may actually tell you this without you asking! But if they don’t it’s definitely a good plan. It’s nice for you to make a backup plan for your wedding day too (i.e. should you provide blankets or fans just in case, etc).
6. Is the venue wheelchair accessible or accommodating for guests with mobility needs?
This one is self explanatory. Remember to think about grandma’s ability to walk from the ceremony to cocktail hour to reception! Additionally, ask the venue how far the walk is from the ceremony site to the reception and cocktail hour.
7. What’s the Deposit, Cancellation, and refund policy?
Along the same lines, make sure you see how much it would be for the full rental and what all is included!
8. Are there any additional fees we should be aware of?
9. How many weddings does the venue allow in a day and will there (or could there be) be another wedding happening at the same time as mine?
I know a lot of Wedgewood wedding venues that often have 2-3 weddings a day, especially if it’s a popular date. They usually happen in different locations if the venue has that. Arrowhead Golf Course is another venue that could have weddings happening at the same time or even golfers on the course during your wedding. If it’s important to you, be sure to talk to your venue about that possibility.
10. Are there getting ready spaces on site and if so, how large are the rooms?
I’ve been to wedding venues where the getting ready spaces are so tiny that only the bride or only the groom is able to get ready one at a time. Some venues don’t even have spaces for getting ready. So if it’s important to you to have a large enough and beautiful room for photos, make sure you ask the venue.
11. What coordination services, if any, does the venue offer?
Some venues have an on-site coordinator who helps manage logistics, timelines, and vendor arrivals, while others only provide a list of preferred coordinators or none at all. Knowing what level of coordination is included can help you decide if you need to hire a wedding planner or handle details yourself. I’ve definitely been to weddings where the on-site coordinator is not the greatest so make sure you ask the experience level of the coordinator as well.
12. What are the logistics for pros and rentals?
Some rental companies charge a fee if they have to walk up and down stairs for ringing in equipment so you need to be aware if there are any service entrances, elevators, etc.
13. What decor, if any, is included in my rental fee?
Knowing this will help you determine how much you need to rent and what types of rentals you’ll need. Many venues have tables and chairs already, but if you’re going for a venue that is completely DIY, you need to be aware of any additional items needed to rent.
14. Does the venue offer set up and break down services?
Knowing this will help you decide and think about if you need to hire an outside rental company or if you should ask family members to help out.
Make an Informed Choice for your Dream Venue
There are so many incredible venues out there! If you haven’t already, take my quiz to quickly narrow down the ones that match your vibe and budget. Once you’ve found a few venues you’re interested in, schedule a consult call. Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during the planning process. Presenting the right questions to ask your wedding venue upfront can save you time, stress, and unexpected challenges down the road. By getting clear answers before you tour, you’ll know exactly what each venue offers. You’ll also discover whether it aligns with your vision, budget, and needs. The more informed you are, the easier it will be to make a confident decision and move forward with a venue that truly fits your wedding day dreams.
Once you have your venue, reach out to me! I’d love to help capture the vision of your day!
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