Venue: Tampa Marriott Water Street | Photography: Corey Conroy Photography
When searching for the perfect wedding venue there’s more that comes into play than just finding one with the most Instagram worthy features. Coming from a wedding professional who has been in the industry for years, sometimes the venues that provide the best pictures are also the ones with the biggest cons (we’re looking at you $40k venue with tables and chairs from the 70’s). Although the perfect atmosphere is a bonus, we’ve made a list of the top 5 questions to ask your future venue before signing the contract!
Will I Be the Only Event This Day?
Wherever you decide to get married, you’re likely to come across one or two powerhouse venues who claim that they put on 500+ weddings a year. If that’s truly the case, then there’s a pretty good chance that they will have another one scheduled on the same day as yours.
“So what? As long as the other wedding is in a different ballroom it isn’t that big a deal.”
That might be true, but it still presents the chance that the venue’s attention to detail might be lost on your wedding day (especially if the other one is much bigger than yours). It may also create a headache for your vendors when trying to figure out set up times.
Am I Allowed to Use My Own Vendors?
Some venues require only certain vendors to be used. If your heart is set on any specific one, make sure your venue allows them to work there! If not, see what it takes in order to get them approved and on their preferred vendor list. Bonus Tip: Most venues require vendors to have a Certificate of Insurance. When searching for vendors make sure they are insured before getting involved in the proposal process!
What Else Do You Provide?
When searching for the perfect venue you may come across some that provide more than just the rental of the space itself. Certain places might include catering and other basic rentals (i.e. linen, tables, chairs, etc.) whereas others are completely inclusive with their own florals, cakes, and officiants! If your venue doesn’t provide any other services, make sure you are aware of that ahead of time so you can factor in the additional expenses!
Do You Have a Liquor License?
Usually it’s safe to assume all venues have liquor licenses, but it doesn’t hurt to ask! Some places (such as breweries) may only be allowed to serve beer and wine instead of hard alcohol.
Do You Require a Wedding Coordinator?
As the wedding industry continues to grow, many venues are starting to require couples to have day of coordinators. The reasoning behind this is because the coordinator at the venue has other operations to delegate during your wedding and might not be available at all times. If your venue does require one, make sure you find a DOC ahead of time and consider the cost of that as well!
Want more intel about the differences between the venue’s coordinator and a planner? Make sure to check out our previous blog post as to learn more!