The Ultimate Wedding Venue Checklist (downloadable)

The wedding venue checklist that you have been looking for is here!!!

One of the most important things for your wedding is the venue where it’ll take place. Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the best decisions that you could ever make. With all of the tasks involved when it comes to planning your wedding, however, it can be hard to know how exactly to get the right wedding venue. You’ll find yourself thinking that it has to feel right, have the right amenities, be available on your wedding date, and lots more.

After all, it’s where you’ll be celebrating a start to your new life together as a couple. It will also affect the atmosphere at your wedding and be the backdrop in all your wedding photos and videos. You really have to get it right with your wedding venue. It is vital then that you are prepared while selecting the perfect location for your wedding to take place. Most venues offer you a tour of the site and assign a staff who will take you around to feel the space. During this tour, it is a great time to ask questions and get answers about any worries concerning the venue. Below are five crucial questions that you should not forget to ask during your wedding venue tour. 

• Are You Available on Our Date?

This is an obvious and simple one, but it can often slip your mind. If you haven’t already asked it before the walkthrough, make sure to do so now.  It is important to be sure that the venue you have chosen is available around the dates that you’d ideally want to get married. This way, you can plan accordingly, and everyone stays happy.

• What Is Your Venue Capacity?

Are you planning on having a wedding of 200 people? Your venue should be able to hold that capacity. That way, everything will run smoothly, and everyone will be comfortable. Asking about the venue capacity is essential for the success of your wedding. Make sure they accommodate your guest count in the layout of your preference (seated, standing, stations, band with dance floor, etc.)

Pro-tip: Don’t go based solely on websites or proposals because the layout ultimately determines headcount options.

• What Is Your Cancellation Policy?

This coronavirus pandemic changed a lot of things where weddings are concerned. For example, more couples will want a cancellation policy so that they can move their date if need be without any hassle. Nobody expects date changes, but it never hurts to be prepared.

• What is the rental time block, and does that include getting ready, set up and break down?

This is a very important question. You need a venue that give you enough time to take “getting ready” pictures and allows your vendors enough time to set up. I recommend allowing vendors 3 hours to set up (no less than 2 hours). If you are planning to have a first-look, you will need more time to access the venue prior to the ceremony. The usual breakdown for a wedding in Virginia is (this is assuming the ceremony is at the same venue as the reception):

• Set up – 3 hrs
• Ceremony – 30 minutes
• Cocktail hour-1 hr
• Reception – 4 hrs
• Clean up -1 hr

Did you write those down? Don’t rush to get a pen just yet. We’ve provided a wedding venue checklist here that you can print out as a guide to help you find the perfect venue for your wedding. It’ll be a great help for when you do your tour too. So, without further ado, here is our ultimate wedding venue checklist.

If you’d like us to help you plan your wedding…

If you are ready to plan a Warrenton wedding in this beautiful venue, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on our contact page or send us an email at hola@VVweddingplanning.com! We can’t wait to hear about your wedding! 🤗💕

And don’t forget to pin your favorite photos from this shoot to Pinterest!

Just hover over any photo and use the red “save” button to add your faves to your wedding photos or photography Pinterest boards!

Just hover over any photo and use the red “save” button to add your faves to your wedding photos or photography Pinterest boards!

Check more of more wedding tips in our Weddings Planning tips tag.

Photo credit:

Terri Baskin Photography

Megan Watson Photography