The first step in the wedding planning process should be choosing your wedding venue. No matter where you say “I do!”, you will likely have many potential venues to choose from. Once you’ve narrowed the list down to your favorites, the next step is to schedule a wedding venue tour to see venues in person and decide which is the best fit.
There are many important questions to ask before you decide on a venue for your wedding. From date availability and guest capacity to bathrooms and parking, here is a list of important questions to ask a wedding venue before you sign anything.
Is My Wedding Date Available?
Wedding venues often book up several months or years in advance for popular dates, So try to get an idea of your wedding date options before you visit each venue. It’s okay to have a specific date or time frame. Just know that availability is a lot easier when you’re flexible. Some wedding venues even offer Thursdays or Fridays at a considerably lower price.
What is the Wedding Venue’s Capacity?
Before you visit wedding venues, it’s important to have a rough idea of how many guests will be attending. While you don’t need an exact number, you don’t want to discover that the venue is too small or too large for your guest count.
Some wedding venues also have multiple spaces, each with different capacities. Having a ballpark idea will help your venue tour guide narrow down which options will work well for you and help share ideas for best utilizing the spaces.
What is the Pricing for the Wedding Venue?
Your wedding venue will likely take up a lot of your budget, if not most. When looking at wedding venues, you’ll notice the pricing can vary wildly from one venue to another. Some wedding venues have all-inclusive packages, while others charge a venue rental fee, allowing you to customize your vendors. Pricing can also vary based on the dates you are considering.
In addition to the cost of your wedding options, it’s also a good idea to ask whether the venue offers any payment plans.
Can I Bring My Own Vendors?
Many venues will offer a list of recommended suppliers and vendors. These individuals and companies work with the venue regularly and provide quality, consistent service. They might include bakeries, photographers, caterers, ceremony musicians, wedding DJs, or florists.
Sometimes, the “recommended” list might not be a recommendation. For example, a venue may require you to order catering from their kitchen. This can make planning much more accessible but can cause headaches if your heart is set on a particular outside supplier.
If the recommended suppliers are suggestions, many couples appreciate having a starting place when choosing vendors for their event.
HISTORIC OAKLAND MANOR: THE PERFECT WEDDING 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.