[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/21-things-to-know-before-choosing-a-venue\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/21-things-to-know-before-choosing-a-venue\/","headline":"21 Things to Know Before Choosing a Venue","name":"21 Things to Know Before Choosing a Venue","description":"21 Things to Know Before Choosing a Venue Know what to look for (besides the glistening chandeliers) in your dream wedding venue. By EW editors...","datePublished":"2012-05-01","dateModified":"2021-07-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"Equally Wed","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/","identifier":787,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gay-wedding-planning-venue.jpg","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/gay-wedding-planning-venue.jpg","height":319,"width":478},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/21-things-to-know-before-choosing-a-venue\/","about":["Receptions, Showers & Parties"],"wordCount":1109,"articleBody":"21 Things to Know Before Choosing a Venue Know what to look for (besides the glistening chandeliers) in your dream wedding venue. By EW editorsBesides your partner, the venue is the single most important element of your wedding. It sets the stage for your big day, and will be the backdrop for memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, too often couples are led by their eyes rather than their wallet when it comes to selecting a spot, so we\u2019ve got some helpful hints for ensuring that all of the right questions are answered upfront before you dot the i\u2019s and cross the t\u2019s on your venue contract.Know Before You Go: The guest list and budget don\u2019t have be set in stone, but it\u2019s good to have an estimated idea of what they are when seeking a venue.Overtime Fees: Always ask venues about their overtime policy. It defeats the purpose of selecting a less expensive reception spot if you go over your time limit and have to fork over for fees. If your venue of choice does have steep OT charges, end the celebrations 30 minutes before deadline so all guests and vendors have time to leave.Roomy Fit: Depending on your setup\u2014sit-down dinner, band, bar\u2014the empty room you are viewing can fill up quickly once you get all of the wedding day components in there. The only way to truly see its size is to take a peek during another wedding. Ask the venue director if you can swing by during a similar-sized affair and view from the sidelines (just refrain from joining in on the fun\u2014no one likes a wedding crasher).Architecture Annoyances: Love those gorgeous columns or that expansive ceiling? You won\u2019t if said columns are blocking guests\u2019 view of the vows or that beautiful vaulted ceiling causes an echo in the reception music. Try to envision the area as your wedding scene so you get a good idea of the view your guests will have, and keep an ear out for any acoustic afflictions while previewing the other event.Extras: Each venue is different with what they include in the price. Some include tables and chairs, others catering and linens, or merely just the space. Be sure to have this discussion with the venue director before going to view the spot\u2014it won\u2019t do you any good to fall in love with a place only to find out you can\u2019t afford the extras.Parking Problems: Make sure that the space has plenty of safe parking for guests, either in a lot or on an empty street. If parking is an issue, opt for an organized shuttle service if it\u2019s within your budget.LGBT-Friendly: This goes without saying, but be sure you\u2019re up front that it\u2019s a same-sex wedding to ensure that the venue and staff are LGBT-friendly. You don\u2019t want to lose a hefty deposit because of the venue\u2019s poor manner. Check out Equally Wed\u2019s extensive Local Resources for LGBT-approved locations.Details, Details: Is your dream wedding illuminated by soft candlelight or does it have elaborate d\u00e9cor hanging from the ceilings? Make sure you discuss your prospective vision with the venue, as well as ask for any restrictions they have, so you\u2019re not dealing with any d\u00e9cor crisis while setting up the scene.Ample Outlets: While viewing the space, keep an eye out for outlets, especially in the area you want the DJ, instrumentals or band to play. Extension cords going through a trafficked area are not only an eyesore but they\u2019re a hazard, so be sure there are plenty of plugins.All About the Alcohol: Looking to feature some libations at the fete? Be sure to ask the venue about their liquor policy and any extra fees (like a corkage fee) if you bring in bottles from an outside vendor.Handicapped Accessible: Be sure an entryway and the bathrooms are handicap-friendly. You may not have a family member in a wheelchair, but older relatives may have difficulty on stairs or a guest could find themselves unexpectedly on crutches.Hidden Costs: Force the vendor director to be up front about any hidden costs\u2014cancellation policies, taxes, staff (waiter, bartender, security) service fees, valet service or parking garage, set-up and take-down fees, minimums for food and beverage, administrative fees and vendor meals.Rehearsal Time: You need to be able to have the ceremony rehearsal in the exact spot you\u2019ll be doing the real deal at. Ensure that the space is available the night before (rehearsals typically last an hour) and if it\u2019s included in the cost.Hot Locale, Cool Space: If you\u2019re having a summer or winter wedding, especially in an older location, ensure that they have modern day heating or air conditioning. Nothing stops dancing faster than a heat wave.Cake-Cutting Costs: If you use an outside bakery, you\u2019ll likely be slapped with a cake-cutting fee, which typically costs $1.50-$2 per person. Be sure to ask what their policy is and budget accordingly.Viable Vendors: Many places have a list of set vendors that they use, and often charge a fee or deny bringing in outside options. Be sure you approve of all of their vendors (and that they\u2019re all LGBT-friendly) before signing on the dotted line.Site Suites: Especially for femme brides who are getting extensive makeup and hair styling, ask if the ceremony site provides a \u201cgetting ready\u201d area.Back-Up Plan: If you\u2019re saying \u201cI do\u201d with a Mother Nature background, the venue should offer a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. View Plan B just as you would your first outdoor choice, as it could become your wedding reality.Coat Check: Especially for winter weddings, ask if a coat check service is provided and if it\u2019s an additional cost.Prospective Renovations: You want to ensure that the site you\u2019re viewing is the site you\u2019re getting come the big day. Inquire about any redecorating or renovation plans for the near future. If there will be on-site construction, get the guarantee that it won\u2019t interfere with your wedding.Day-Of Director: Especially if you\u2019re not using a wedding planner, it\u2019s crucial that someone is there day-of to ensure your dream is executed into a reality. Most venues offer a day-of coordinator but if you\u2019re tying the knot at a nontraditional location without one, you\u2019ll want to look into hiring an outside source or recruiting an extremely organized friend.Photo: Dina Kantor for Real Weddings Kim and Randie "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"21 Things to Know Before Choosing a Venue","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/21-things-to-know-before-choosing-a-venue\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]