Combined venue (ceremony + reception): a wedding guide

Your wishlist

Answer these before you meet anyone.

• How many guests should the venue hold?

• What kind of place are you picturing?

• How do you want catering to work?

• Do you want to bring your own vendors?

  What you are hoping for — compare it against each venue's own vendor policy, below.

• What must the venue provide for your guests?

What to ask each one

• What kitchen access does the venue provide?

• When can vendors arrive?

• When can vendors load in?

• When must vendors be out?

• Is there a noise curfew or hard end time?

• Guest capacity

• How is the space flipped from ceremony to reception?

• Can you bring your own vendors?

• What's included?

• Does the venue require certificates of insurance?

• Food & beverage minimum

  A floor, not a cost.

How it’s usually priced

Usually priced as one flat amount.

Possible extras: Security / damage deposit, Overtime (per hour past curfew), Food & beverage minimum.

What you settle once booked

• Final walkthrough scheduled?

• Where does it move if the weather turns?

• Who makes the weather call?

  One name. A call two people share is a call nobody makes.

• By what time is the call made?

  Setup crews need the answer before they start, so this usually lands the morning of.

The day-of sheet

Confirm arrival, finish, who to call, access, a meal, and what is due.

Across the whole day

Choose which moments to include.

• Venue access (full day)