Questions to ask a wedding venue before you book

A venue page on Where I Do gives you a first look: what the place is, and its capacity and starting price where the venue publishes them. The rest you find out by asking. This is a checklist for that first email or site visit.

Dates and numbers

• Is our date available, and which nearby dates are?
• What is the largest number you can seat, and how many for a standing or cocktail reception?
• Is there a minimum number of guests, and does it change by day or season?
• How many weddings do you hold on one day?

156 of the 418 venues on Where I Do publish a capacity. On Browse you can filter by seated guests to rule out rooms that are too small before you enquire.

Price

• Is the price per person or a hire fee, and what exactly does it include?
• Does it change by season or day of the week?
• How long does the drinks package run, and what does extra time cost?
• What is charged separately: ceremony, furniture, staff, cleaning, security?
• What deposit is needed, when is the balance due, and what happens if we cancel or move the date?

If the two kinds of pricing are new to you, read per person or venue hirefirst. For published figures, see what wedding venues in Victoria cost.

• Rusty Gate Weddings, Curlewis
• Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford
• Williamstown Botanic Gardens, Williamstown

The ceremony

• Can we hold the ceremony here, and where?
• What is the wet weather plan, and when is the call made?
• Is there a fee for the ceremony, and are chairs and a signing table included?

293 venues on Where I Do say ceremonies can be held on site. See them here.

Food, drinks and suppliers

• Is catering in house, or can we bring our own caterer?
• Can we supply our own drinks, and is there a corkage charge?
• Are there required or recommended suppliers, or can we choose our own?
• How do you handle dietary needs?

On the day

• What time can suppliers get in to set up, and when must everything be out?
• What time does music have to stop, and are there sound limits?
• Who is our contact on the day?
• Where do guests park, and how accessible is the venue for older guests and wheelchair users?

Staying over

• Is there accommodation on site, how many does it sleep, and is it included or extra?
• Is a minimum stay required?

139 venues on Where I Do offer accommodation on site. Seewedding venues with accommodation.

Ask for the answers in writing, and read the contract before you pay a deposit. A venue's website, and its page onWhere I Do, is a starting point and not the agreement.