Between guest lists, decor, catering, and logistics, planning a wedding can begin to feel anything but straightforward. Most couples want a wedding day that reflects their style and their love story, so choosing a venue isn’t always an easy task.

By knowing what to look for in a wedding venue and what to ask up front, you can avoid surprises and make the decision-making process easier.

Below you will find a guide to essential factors to consider when looking for a wedding venue and the must-ask questions before you sign a contract.

11 Things To Look for When Selecting a Wedding Venue

When it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams, the venue is a huge decision. There are many factors to consider as you narrow down your list, such as budget, style, location, seating capacity, and more.

Twenty Mile House is a breathtaking wedding venue option in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. Our all-inclusive venue has historic charm coupled with natural beauty and custom wedding packages to meet your wedding needs.

#1: Budget

What should you look for when selecting a wedding venue? Before even beginning your search for the perfect venue, it is important to determine a budget.

Knowing your budget ahead of time makes the venue selection process much smoother for several reasons, including:

Saving time: You can rule out venues that don’t fit your financial specifications.
Setting priorities: You can determine which elements and vendors are most important to you.
Reducing stress: The entire wedding planning process will go smoothly.
Finding the best value: Focusing on what matters to you can help you find the best value for your money.
Communication with venues: Possible venues can talk to you about what packages fit within your budget.

If you don’t have a budget before looking at venues, you run the risk of falling in love with a venue that you can’t afford. This leads to disappointment or difficult financial choices when you have to compromise on other elements of your wedding.

When planning your venue budget, don’t forget to consider other wedding costs, such as:

Wardrobe
Honeymoon
Hair stylists
Make-up artists
Music
And more

Having a budget in place gives you realistic expectations to help you find a financially feasible option to suit your wedding vision.

#2: Your Style and Vision

Defining the overall mood and theme you desire for your wedding is necessary before beginning your venue search. Do you dream of a classic wedding? An outdoor event? Something more modern?

For a rustic style, consider venues such as:

Barnes
Ranches
Historic buildings
Buildings with natural, warm, cozy elements

For modern themes, consider venues such as:

Industrial warehouses
Art galleries
Chic lofts
Buildings with clean lines and minimalist designs

For classic or elegant styles, consider venues, such as:

Grand ballrooms
Historic mansions
Sophisticated hotels
Buildings with timeless elegance

When you tour venues, think about how your color schemes and decor will look in the space.

#3: Availability

Before selecting your venue, it is important to determine the ideal date for your wedding. As you begin your venue search, you will need to know if the venues you are interested in have availability for the date you want.

When searching for venues, consider:

Having a back-up venue if your first choice is booked
Being flexible if the date you want isn’t available
Asking about a wait list if the date you desire becomes available
Consider how the price varies by day or season

Consider beginning your venue search a year before your wedding date to ensure you have your choice of venues.

#4: Location

There are several aspects to consider regarding location when selecting a venue.

Ask yourself:

Is the location relatively close to most of your guests?
Is the venue easy to get to with clear directions?
Is it close to hotels or have accommodations for out-of-town guests?
Does it match the style you want for your wedding?
Is there plenty of parking?
Is it accessible for all of your guests?
Does the venue offer a contingency plan in case of bad weather?

#5: Seating Capacity

Before searching for venues, knowing how many guests you are going to invite is essential. In addition to knowing if the space is big enough, consider:

Can the space be adapted for your seating plan?
Is there room for dancing and other activities?
Are the chairs comfortable for guests with adequate room?
Are there clear paths and enough space for guests with physical disabilities?
Does the seating style complement your wedding theme?

#6: What Is Included?

When narrowing down your venue options, it is necessary to understand what items are included in the different packages the venue offers.

Factors to consider include:

Tables
Chairs
Linens
Parking
Restrooms
Decorations
Sound system
Dance floor
Set up and take down

#7: Backup Options

If you are planning to have your wedding or reception at an outdoor venue, consider whether or not they have the capacity to move the event indoors in case of inclement weather.

Perhaps they would have tents available in the event of bad weather. It is important to determine what options the venue can provide before you decide to book.

#8: Vendor Options

Wedding planning requires securing many vendors. From videography to catering, make-up to cakes, vendors play a huge role in pulling off the wedding of your dreams.

When discussing package options with venue representatives, ask if the venue has in-house vendors or if you have to secure them yourself is important.

To save you time and hassle, Twenty Mile House does it all! Our all-inclusive packages complement our breathtaking venue. Let us take care of everything!

#9: Accessibility

Understanding the needs of your guests is a necessity when selecting a wedding venue.

If you have guests who are physically disabled or need special considerations, consider whether or not the venue has:

Ramps
Elevators
Clear paths
Accessible restrooms
Ample space for wheelchairs
Power outlets for medical devices
Quiet spaces
Handicap parking or shuttles from the parking area
Accommodations for dietary restrictions
Access to sign language interpreters

Ensuring that your venue can accommodate the needs of your guests will ensure that your wedding can be enjoyed by everyone on your guest list.

#10: Restrictions/Rules

Wedding venues often have rules and restrictions that clients must follow. Before settling on a venue, discuss the restrictions with the venue coordinator and read the contract thoroughly.

Some rules and restrictions may be negotiable, while others are related to safety, liability, or preservation of the space.

Restrictions may include, but not be limited to:

Noise ordinances or specific closing times
Rules about decorations (attaching things to walls, sparklers, etc.)
Open flame bans
Use of outside vendors
Rules prohibiting pets
Moving furniture or altering the layout
Limited parking
Rules about unaccompanied minors

Check with the venue coordinator to make sure that your wedding vision aligns with the guidelines of the venue.

At Twenty Mile House, some rules and restrictions to be aware of include:

No noise ordinance.
Outside vendors must be pre-approved.
There is a minimum of 100 guests required for Saturday weddings.
There is a minimum of 50 guests required for Sunday-Thursday weddings.
No open flame candles or bonfires due to fire restrictions.
Pets are allowed with a signed pet agreement and paid fee.
You can bring your own alcohol.

#11: Reviews

Reviews can have a large impact on your decision to book a venue or not. Instead of going into the process blind, it is a good idea to look at the reviews for the venue.

Perusing the reviews can:

Give you an idea of what it is like to actually have a wedding at the venue
Help identify common complaints
Let you assess the pros and cons of the venue
Help eliminate doubt that you are choosing the right location
Show you how the venue responded to negative reviews
Help you avoid surprises and disappointment on your wedding day

Consider the amount of positive reviews vs. negative reviews. If the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, you will likely have a good experience and can consider the venue.

What Questions To Ask When Looking at a Wedding Venue

When touring a venue, it is a good idea to jot down a list of questions to ask the coordinator and take it along to your appointments. In addition to the considerations above, there are a few more questions you may want to ask.

What Are the Specific Instructions Regarding Payment?

When you ask about payments, consider these questions:

Is there a deposit?
Do they offer payment plans?
When is the total amount due?
Do they have a cancellation policy?
How much money is returned if you cancel?
Can you have a detailed breakdown of the costs and fees?
Are there additional fees that aren’t included in the main rental fee?
What forms of payment do you accept?

How Long Is the Space Available?

The amount of time you have in the space is important, especially if you are setting up and cleaning up yourself.

Consider asking:

Is there a time limit for using the venue?
Does the time allotted include set up and clean up?
When do decorations need to be removed?
Can you stay longer?
Is there an extra charge for going beyond the time given?
Is there an event after yours?

Are Changing Areas Available for the Wedding Party?

Instead of traveling to the venue already dressed and getting your wedding attire rumpled, you may be looking for a venue with space to get ready before the big moment.

Questions to ask include:

Are there changing areas for the wedding party?
Do the changing areas include mirrors and adequate seating?
How close are the changing areas to the ceremony and reception space?
Are there any restrictions in place for the changing rooms?
Is the changing area included in the rental fee?
Is there a place to store belongings?

Can We Also Have Our Rehearsal Dinner at the Wedding Venue?

You may wish to host your rehearsal dinner at the wedding venue rather than going to a separate location following rehearsal.

Consider asking the coordinator:

Is the date for the rehearsal dinner available?
What is the rental fee, and does it include tables, chairs, linens, etc.?
Does the staff provide support during the event (set up, break down, etc.)?
What are the menu options?
Can you use outside vendors?

Are Overnight Accommodations Available for the Wedding Party?

Guests who travel long distances will be looking for accommodations following the wedding. Your ideal venue may be able to provide accommodations.

Consider asking:

Do you have overnight accommodations on-site for guests?
How many rooms are available for guests?
What are the room rates, and what is included?
What are check-in/check-out times?
Do you have availability the night before and the night of the wedding?
Are the accommodations accessible for guests with mobility needs?
What are the on-site amenities for guests?

Twenty Mile House has on-site lodging for 54 guests. We have four guest rooms with fully equipped kitchens, self-check-in, private bathrooms for each bedroom, fireplaces, outdoor patios, a laundry room, forests to explore, and more.

Choose Twenty Mile House for Your Wedding Venue and Let Us Take Care of All the Details

Our luxury outdoor wedding venue is tucked away on 200 acres in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Eliminate the stress of wedding planning with our all-inclusive packages that include all vendors to take care of your food, cake, photography needs, and more.

Sourcing local flowers and food, breathtaking views, no noise ordinances, and having accommodations for up to 54 people, Twenty Mile House can help you create the wedding of your dreams.

Our outstanding team is ready to help you execute your ideal wedding and create lasting memories. Contact us today to set up a tour!

What To Look for in a Wedding Venue: Things To Consider and Questions To Ask

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