Making a list of questions to ask your venue is a great way to narrow down your decision.
Booking your wedding venue is a very stressful part of planning a wedding. Your wedding venue is the first large choice you must make for your big day. Choosing the right location, contract terms, budget, and more can feel impossible for newly engaged couples.
Making a list of questions to ask your venue is a great way to narrow down your decision. Keep reading for some essential questions to ask your wedding venue.
What’s Your Inclement Weather Policy?
Planning an outdoor wedding ceremony can be stressful, especially in unpredictable seasons like Fall and Spring. Always ask your wedding venue what their backup plan is if the weather suddenly turns before or on your big day. Some outdoor wedding venues offer optional indoor spaces, and you want to know how the ceremony and reception will all be affected. Historic Oakland Manor has several indoor and outdoor options for wedding ceremonies. We also have a Tent Package that includes the rental of a beautifully appointed tent to protect your wedding from any bad weather.
Do You Have Quiet Hours or Noise Restrictions?
If your wedding venue is also your reception hall, ask about quiet hours and noise restrictions. Some wedding venues and reception halls may limit the volume of the entire event or its noise level after hours. Some venues also have a hard cut-off time for noise or music – these can range from evening hours to past midnight, so consider how late you want your party to go and if your venue can accommodate that.
What Does Pricing Include?
When picking a wedding venue, always follow up on what pricing packages are offered and what they include. Some venues are all-inclusive, while others provide add-on services.
This might include paying for chair setup, additional chair rentals, tablecloths, and more. Don’t assume what pricing includes; follow up on all the details. When you host your wedding at Historic Oakland, table and chair setup, an on-site Facility Assistant, and use of our kitchen are included in your wedding package.
Can I Hire My Own Vendors?
Some venues may have partnerships with vendors they’ll require you to work with, while others will give you free rein when selecting vendors. This is vital to know before booking, as the next step in the planning process is booking other vendors, like your photographer, caterer, and DJ. We provide a list of trusted vendors you can choose from or hire a vendor you choose.
What is the Guest Capacity of the Wedding Venue?
Important for small and big weddings alike; you want to know the capacity of your venue. For example, an outdoor wedding venue may have a smaller ceremony capacity than its indoor reception hall capacity, affecting how many guests can attend. Ask about the different guest capacity limits and how this affects the use of the space. At Historic Oakland, our maximum capacity is 180 guests for the house. However, that is seating guests throughout the entire house. Oakland’s largest room, the Main Ballroom, seats a max capacity of 80 guests.
HISTORIC OAKLAND MANOR: THE PERFECT VENUE
Nestled in a peaceful wooded area in the heart of downtown Columbia, Historic Oakland Manor stands proudly in natural splendor. Elegant Oakland is the perfect setting for ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal showers, holiday parties, family celebrations, business meetings, or retreats. Schedule a tour today with our expert venue coordinators! Please call (410-730-4801), email ([email protected]), or visit our chat on our homepage to book a tour appointment.
