How Many Wedding Venues Should You Tour? [+Bonus Questionnaire]

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to wedding planning. There are many factors to consider, from the size of the venue to the location to the overall style and atmosphere. One question that often comes up is: how many wedding venues should you tour before making a decision? Here are some tips to help you decide.

10 Questions to Ask Your Each Other Before Touring A Wedding Venue

Before you start scheduling tours for wedding venues, it’s important to establish your priorities. What is most important to you and your partner? Is it the size of the venue, the location, the amenities, or the overall vibe? Before you set foot in potential venues, having a detailed discussion with your partner will help ensure you’re on the same page about what you want.

To aid in that discussion, here are some essential questions to ask your partner before touring wedding venues.

1. What is Our Budget?

Before anything else, you need to establish how much you’re willing to spend on a venue. This should factor in the rental fee, cost of food and beverages, décor, gratuities, and any extra charges the venue might levy. Having a clear budget will help you shortlist wedding venues within your range before you schedule a tour and prevent heartache later on.

2. How Many Guests Are We Planning to Invite?

The number of guests you plan to invite will significantly influence your venue choice. You’ll need a rough estimate to ensure the venues you’re looking at can comfortably accommodate your guest list. Remember, it’s not just about seating – consider space for dancing, dining, and mingling. This will considerably narrow down wedding venues you will tour.

Read more: How Many People Should I Invite To My Wedding? [Bonus Questionnaire]

3. What is Our Preferred Wedding Date?

If you have a specific date in mind, this could impact your venue options. Some popular venues are booked months, or even years, in advance, especially for prime wedding dates. Having a few potential dates, or considering a weekday wedding, could offer more flexibility and is something you can discuss with your wedding venue coordinators during your tour.

4. What’s Our Wedding Style?

Are you envisioning a casual outdoor wedding or a formal ballroom event? Do you prefer a modern, minimalist loft, or a rustic, cozy barn? Discussing the overall aesthetic and style you want for your wedding can narrow down the type of venues to tour.

5. Do We Want the Ceremony and Reception in the Same Place?

Some couples prefer to have their ceremony and reception at the same venue to simplify logistics, while others choose separate locations for each. Discuss your preference and consider how it might impact the wedding venues you tour, your budget, and your guests’ experience.

6. What Services Do We Want the Venue to Provide?

Some venues offer full-service packages, including catering, bar service, and event coordination, while others provide the space alone. Discuss what services you would like included. This can affect both your budget and how much external hiring you’ll need to arrange and what wedding venues to tour that fit your criteria.

7. How Much DIY Are We Prepared to Do?

DIY elements can add a personal touch and potentially save money, but they also require time and effort. Understand your shared willingness and available time to take on DIY projects, as this can influence the type of venue you choose.

8. What’s Our Plan B for Outdoor Venues?

If you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding, it’s essential to have a backup plan in case of bad weather. Ensure your partner is on board with this and that you’re prepared to discuss alternatives with wedding venue coordinators during your tour.

9. Do We Have Any Must-Haves?

Whether it’s a grand piano, a specific type of cuisine, or the ability to bring your beloved pet, outline any non-negotiable items that the wedding venue must accommodate before scheduling a tour.

10. How Far Are We Willing to Travel?

Discuss how far you’re willing to travel for the right venue, and how far is reasonable to ask your guests to travel. This will help you set a geographical limit for your venue search.

These questions will help provide a clear and comprehensive picture of what you’re looking for in a wedding venue, ultimately ensuring the locations you tour align with both your dream and reality.

Research Before Scheduling Your Wedding Venues Tours:

Start by doing some online research to find wedding venues that meet your criteria. Read reviews and check out photos to get a sense of each venue’s style and atmosphere. This can help you eliminate venues that don’t fit your vision before you even visit them.

Narrow Down Your Wedding Venues:

Based on your research, narrow down your list to the top 3-5 venues that you are most interested in. This will save you time and energy during the wedding venue tour process.

Schedule Your Wedding Venue Tours:

Once you have your shortlist of wedding venues, schedule tours at each one. Try to schedule tours on the same day or over the same weekend, so that you can compare each venue more easily. Here’s an easy email template to send to your wedding venues if you’re trying to schedule a tour

Subject: Venue Tour Inquiry

Hi [Venue Coordinator’s Name],

Hope you’re doing well! I’m [Your Name] and I’m currently in the exciting process of planning my wedding with my better half, [Fiancé’s Name].

We’ve been on the hunt for the perfect spot to tie the knot and celebrate with our loved ones, and [Venue Name] just keeps popping up on our radar. The photos we’ve seen are stunning, and the glowing reviews have us pretty intrigued.

We’d love to set up a time to drop by and get a feel for the place, maybe take a little tour of your wedding venue? We’re pretty open on [preferred dates and times], but we can wiggle around a bit to fit into your schedule. It’d be great if you could give us a heads-up on how long the tour usually takes and any must-brings we should keep in mind.

Thanks a ton for considering our request. Can’t wait to see [Venue Name] in all its glory and hopefully start making some magical wedding plans!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

Read More: How Long Do Wedding Venue Tours Take? 

Bring A Wedding Venue Tour Checklist:

When touring wedding venues, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and forget to ask important questions. To avoid this, bring a checklist of questions and considerations that are important to you. This can include things like capacity, catering options, rental fees, and more.

Here are 10 important questions to ask during your wedding venue tour:

1. What’s Included in the Wedding Venue Fee?

The first question on your wedding venue tour should be to ask for specifics on what the venue fee covers. This could include hours of access, furniture, staff, parking, and more. The answer will help you understand the value for your money and potentially hidden costs.

Read More: What Percentage Of Your Wedding Budget Should Go To The Venue?

2. What’s Your Maximum Capacity?

Understanding the venue’s maximum capacity is crucial, especially if you plan on having a large wedding. Remember, you’ll need space for dining, dancing, and mingling, not just seating.

3. Do You Have Preferred or Exclusive Vendors?

Some venues have lists of preferred vendors or even exclusive relationships with certain caterers, florists, or rental companies and you should be able to get this list during your wedding venue tour. This could impact your choice of suppliers and overall budget.

4. How Much Time is Allocated for Setup and Breakdown?

Knowing how early you or your vendors can arrive to set up, and when everything must be cleared out, can impact your event timeline and potential labor costs.

5. What is Your Inclement Weather Plan?

If you’re considering an outdoor wedding venue, it’s important to understand their backup plan for bad weather and you can get a better visual on the tour . This is crucial to ensure your wedding can go ahead, rain or shine.

6. Are There Any Noise Restrictions?

Ask about noise restrictions or ordinances. If there’s a cut-off time for loud music, it could impact your event timeline.

7. Are There Any Restrictions on Decorations?

Some wedding venues have restrictions on decorations, especially when it comes to things like open flames or hanging items from the ceiling and you need to ask this during your tour. Knowing these guidelines in advance can influence your décor plans.

8. How Many Restrooms Are Available?

This may seem like a minor detail, but it can greatly impact guest comfort. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one restroom for every 50 guests.

9. Do You Offer On-Site Accommodations or Can You Recommend Nearby Lodging?

If you have out-of-town guests, you’ll want to think about where they’ll stay. Some venues offer on-site accommodations, or they might have partnerships with local hotels.

10. What Dates Do You Have Available?

If you’re flexible with your wedding date, ask about venue availability during the tour. Some venues offer discounts for off-season or weekday weddings.

Trust Your Instincts:

Finally, when deciding how many wedding venues to tour, trust your instincts. If you find the perfect venue on your first tour, there’s no need to keep looking. However, if you’re not quite sure, it may be worth touring a few more venues to compare your options.

So, How Many Wedding Venues Should You Tour?

There is no magic number when it comes to how many wedding venues you should tour but we suggest is 3-5. However, it’s important to establish your priorities, do your research, narrow down your options, schedule tours, bring a checklist, and trust your instincts. With these tips in mind, you can find the perfect wedding venue that fits your vision and creates the perfect backdrop for your special day.