Q+A

Looking for your venue can be exciting, scary and overwhelming. To ease some stress here is a list I've compiled of important questions to ask when touring a venue.

The Basics:
            
       1. Pricing (package deals, military discounts, off-season rates)
       2. Is the date you want available?
       3. Occupancy (not only what the fire code mandates but what, in your experience, is most comfortable)

The Details:

       1. Is there handicap accessibility?
       2. How many bathrooms? And where they are located?
       3. Is there AC/Heat?
       4. Is there audio equipment available? Is there a usage fee?
       5. Where are the power sources?
       6. Are animals allowed on the premises? Inside the building?
       7. Does the officiant have to be a certain denomination? Can you use a justice of the peace?
       8. Is there a preferred caterer list? Are you allowed to bring an outside caterer? If so, is there a fee?
       9. What are your rules regarding alcohol? Hard alcohol or just beer/wine? Do you have to have 
            a bartender? Are kegs allowed? Is there a limit to the number of specialty cocktails you can have?

Decorating:

       1. Are there any preset hooks or nails where things can be hung?
       2. What is allowed to be used for attaching things to walls, pews, etc?
       3. Are there any rules regarding candle use? (pillars vs. tapers, enclosed, candleabras, etc)
       4. Are there any places that may not be decorated? (i.e. a church altar)
       4. Are you allowed to throw petals down the aisle?
       5. What are you allowed to use for the exit? (rice, birdseed, petals, lavendar buds, sparklers, doves)
       6. Do you provide tables/chairs? Is there a fee? How many are available? What do they look like?
       7. Are we able to add/remove the sides of the tent?
       8. Do you provide rentals for linens, flatware, plates, etc? Do you provide setup? What are the costs?
      
Day Of:

       1. What time are we allowed into the building? What time do we have to be out? Does that include
            vendors?
       2. Do you provide a rehearsal time? How long is it?
       3. Who will be available the day of?
       4. Regarding setup/breakdown, what is the vendors responsibility and what is our responsibility?
       5. Will there be someone available for prompting during the ceremony?
       6. How many garbage cans are available? Do we empty them or do you? Do you recycle?
       7. How much parking will be available? Will spots be held for VIP's? Is there handicap parking?
       8. Are cars allowed to be parked overnight? (in case someone is too drunk to drive, etc)

The Contract:

       1. What is the reservation deposit to hold a date? Is this refundable? Is this transferable to another date?
       2. When is the remaining balance due by? Can you pay it off in installments?
       3.  Is there a security deposit? How much? When is it returned?
       4. What are the main reasons you could lose a security deposit?
    
Hope this helps, Happy Planning!