Expert Advice from Our Leading Venue Finders
Picking your ideal wedding venue can be a stressful and time-consuming process, particularly when there is so much to compare and contrast before you come to your final decision. VenueCrew makes this process simpler, with our free wedding venue finding service for couples in Sydney, Melbourne and London.
VenueCrew removes the confusion of contacting dozens of venues; streamlines the selecting process; and handpicks venues that suit your desired date, budget, capacity and style. We’ll filter out the no-gos and only send you a venue selection that meets all of your required components.
All It Takes Is 4 Simple Steps:
- Step 1: Call one of our Venue Finders and chat about the kind of venue you’re hoping for
- Step 2: We’ll respond with a collection of suitable venues and affordable quotes
- Step 3: Your wedding venue viewing will help you finalise your venue decision
- Step 4: You book your dream wedding venue and start planning the creative details
The Wedding Venue Viewing
So let’s talk about Step 3, the wedding venue viewing. This part is more important than you might think, as while a venue might be your type on paper, you need to experience the space to know that it’s right for you. They are also a chance to get to know your Wedding Coordinator and bombard them with questions, guilt-free!
In this article, our highly experienced Venue Finders will provide tips and insights into how to get the most out of your wedding venue viewing. They will help you ask the most productive questions to identify key venue comparison points and deal breakers.
For more wedding venue advice, speak with one of our experienced Venue Finders today.
Tip #1: Factor in Your First Impression
When you first arrive at your wedding venue viewing, take a moment to soak it all in. Are you walking directly into the event space, or is there a foyer, reception area or series of hallways leading you there? If you’re into visuals, these first moments matter. Remember to take photos if you’d like to remind yourself of the spaces and share them with your spouse or family members. Here are some initial questions to ask as you approach the wedding spaces:
- Is the venue hire exclusive or are there other events going on simultaneously?
- Can I decorate the hallways on route to the function rooms?
- Is there wheelchair access to all of the event spaces?
Tip #2: Talk About Timings
It’s handy to walk through the typical wedding schedule on your wedding venue viewing, from guest arrival to departure. This will paint a picture of how the day will run so that you can pass on useful timing information to potential suppliers. If you’re opting for a dry hire venue (a venue where you can bring in your own decorations, food and beverages), this information is particularly important, to ensure everything is ready and cleared in time. Here are some useful questions to ask the Wedding Coordinator about timings:
- When will I have access to the venue to set up?
- What’s the typical wedding schedule at the venue?
- When does the music and alcohol license end?
Tip #3: Visualise Your Ceremony Setup
On the wedding venue viewing, the Wedding Coordinator will take you to the rooms or outdoor areas that are appropriate for ceremonies. When you get there, discuss the layout and where the wedding aisle will be placed. For example, you might have envisioned a very long aisle with a dramatic entrance, or something intimate and understated. There might be more than one way to arrange the space to fit in with your ideas – leave no stone unturned! Our frequently asked ceremony questions include:
- What kind of ceremony chairs are included or can we bring in our own?
- Do you accept Asian weddings and Mandap ceremonies?
- Is confetti permitted at this wedding venue?
Tip #4: Run Through the Reception Arrangement
When you enter the primary reception spaces on your wedding venue viewing, look around and try to picture how it would look decorated. Perhaps the Wedding Coordinator might be able to show you some photographs of previous setups to get your imagination flowing. Also, if there are several different reception rooms available on your chosen date, you could combine them to form different zones, such as a dancing, dining and or breakout areas. Here are some questions to guide your conversation about the wedding reception rooms:
- How many guests comfortably fit in this room with and without a dancefloor?
- What table layouts would you recommend for this reception space?
- Do you have a recommended supplier list and are there any suppliers e.g. fireworks?
Tip #5: Find Out About More About the Food and Drink
Getting the food and drink right is super important to leave your guests content throughout your wedding day. Incorporating all the senses will make your wedding day interactive and memorable. If you’d like to feature the cuisine from your home country or serve a particular fusion of dishes, it’s great to ask about this at your wedding venue viewing. Also, if you have any dietary or religious requests, it’s worth mentioning these earlier rather than later. Here are some question ideas to spark the catering conversation:
- Do you offer in-house catering and what’s the typical cuisine?
- If so, what are the menus like and do you offer vegan, vegetarian or halal options?
- If not, who are your recommended caterers?
Tip #6: Consider the Costs
Your wedding venue viewing is the ideal chance to assess the value for money. As you walk around the venue, take note of what’s on offer for the price that’s been set. Also, bear in mind the style, age, location and exclusivity of the venue in these costs. The price will also vary depending on the season and day of the year. All of these factors will help you weigh up what’s the best deal for you. VenueCrew’s close relationships with venues around London, Melbourne and Sydney will also guarantee the best prices out there. Some productive price points to raise are:
- How much are the wedding packages and what is included?
- Is there a minimum spend that I need to meet?
- Have you got any seasonal offers?
Tip #7: Look into Location Logistics
Your guests won’t want to miss a moment, so make sure transport links to the venue are as easy as possible. Check out the local car parks, tube stations and bus stops whilst you are at the wedding venue viewing, so you have all bases covered. It’s handy to pool all of this information on your wedding invites or bespoke wedding website, so your guests can make arrangements as necessary. Here are some helpful questions to check the navigation details:
- What are the transport links like and is there a car park?
- Do you have hotel accommodation, or if not can you recommend some nearby?
- Do you have preferential hotel offers for wedding guests?
