You’re engaged – exciting! You know that the first step in planning is to find a venue – let me guess, you probably haven’t done this before – and are feeling a little overwhelmed. Here are our recommendations for questions you should be asking potential venues..

• Would you have exclusive use of the venue or share with others?
  Get a full understanding of where other guests would be and how they would potentially affect your wedding, if you’re not having exclusive use. Also check to see if you'll be the only wedding at the venue.

• What decorations are included from the venue?
  Some venues include flowers, candles and styling options - whereas others offer a 'dry hire', where you can use your own suppliers to style the venue completely your own.

• What accommodation can they offer?
  Do they have accommodation the night before and on the night of the wedding. What is the capacity and is breakfast included.

• What is the minimum and maximum capacity?
  Guest lists can fluctuate a lot during planning process! Check the number commitments with your venue before booking
  

• What is included as complimentary? 
  Every venue offers different things as part of their service. This will help you determine any hidden extras - be sure to check VAT is included too as this will make a big difference!
  

• What are the food & drink options?
  Ask to see menus and wine lists to get an idea of the kind of food options. Can they cater well for special diets?

• Is there somewhere for us to get ready?
  Some venues suggest arriving ready, others have a room to get ready in. At Berwick we can have your bedroom ready earlier than usual 3pm check in and we also have a dressing room where you can arrive early morning!

• What is availability like on your chosen date or season?
  Don’t make assumptions about certain months or timescales being booked up. Every year the trends for the most popular months change!

• Can we get married there?
  Which spaces are licensed for ceremonies. If planning an outdoor wedding what is the wet weather backup plan.

• What are the payment terms?
  Each venue has different payment terms so clarify theirs and check that you can commit to them before booking anything.

• Does the venue provide a Coordinator on the day?
  If not, who will coordinate the ceremony and reception to keep to timings?

• Can you have fireworks?
  And if so do you need to do it through their approved firework supplier.

• Is there plenty of free parking?
  Check whether cars can be left overnight for those getting taxis home.

• Which wedding suppliers do they work with or recommend?
  Some couples love researching suppliers for cakes and photographers etc. whereas some just want someone else to help them make a choice! If you fall into the latter, a recommended supplier list is invaluable.

• Can you give me an idea of cost for my estimated numbers?
  You’ll need to have an idea of how many of the day guests are adults, how many children and how many evening guests you’re anticipating. Also what date or season and your preferred day of the week as this will be a big factor in pricing.

• What are the price variations depending on day of the week?
  These will vary from venue to venue obviously but as a rule Saturdays are the most expensive, Mondays are the cheapest and other days fall somewhere on between.

• Are there any hidden extras?
  Does the venue include things you’d assume it would, like; furniture; linen; crockery & cutlery; staff; decorations?

Image courtesy of Hotwells Photography