As Wedding DJs we often get booked after venues do. It’s a bit unfortunate as the Venue is one of the most important decisions you can make and it has a huge impact on all aspects of your wedding (including the disc jockey and entertainment experience overall)
Here is our checklist to help you ask the right questions at a wedding venue inspection:
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Is our preferred wedding date available?
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Will we have exclusive use of the venue on our wedding day?
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What are the rates for different days or times?
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What is the ideal number of guests for this space?
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How long do we have at the venue? When can vendors load in and out?
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Do you supply location maps/directions we can include with invitations?
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What parking facilities are available? If they do have parking, how many spaces?
- Wedding party parking, including limos?
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Is a shuttle service available?
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Is public transportation easily accessible from the venue?
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Is there a minimum spend or booking fee?
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What are the payment terms?
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Can they confirm any arrangements in writing?
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How much do they charge for extra hours?
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Are there hidden costs like cleaning fees?
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Will there be any building works or maintenance carried out on the before or of our selected wedding date? If changes need to be made, will you put these in writing with a financial remedy?
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Do we need any insurance or permits?
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Is there a venue coordinator on the day? How long? Can you meet them?
- Can you gain access for a Wedding Rehearsal?
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Can we hold our ceremony here, too?
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Do you provide a transition setup for a shared ceremony/reception space?
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Can disabled guests be accommodated?
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Does your venue have a wet weather back up plan?
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Is your venue pet friendly (if they’re included in the ceremony)?
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Is your venue child friendly, what is the cost for children as guests (per head)?
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Is there a space for post ceremony canapés and activities?
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Are there options for dinner the night before or brunch the day after for the bridal party?
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Can we do a tasting before choosing our options? Is it paid for?
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Is the venue flexible with their menu choices?
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Can the venue provide alternative meal options to suit allergies and intolerances?
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What vendor meals are provided for people such as your wedding disc jockey? If so, at what cost?
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Are they able to be served before or at the same time as guests so that they can get back to work without rushing?
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Is it possible to use your own caterer? If so, is there limitations on which caterers we can use?
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What is the venuesIn house beverage package? What does it include/exclude?
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Is a champagne toast possible? Price?
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What type of tables do you have?
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Do you have a list of preferred vendors such as Griffin Alliance Wedding DJs? Which vendors do we HAVE to use?
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What restrictions are there on decorations?
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What items can you remove from the room?
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What decor is included? Can they accommodate changes?
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What kind of confetti does your venue allow, if any?
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Do you have signage to direct guests to the wedding?
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When can my vendors arrive for setup?
Does the venue have:
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Bridal suite or private space?
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Toilets? Are they accessible for ceremony and reception?
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Dance Floor?
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DJ / band or Ipod facilities?
- Do you have noise restrictions?
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Do you have microphones for speeches?
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Photo booth?
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Is there heating / Air conditioning?
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Somewhere safe to store wedding gifts?
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Furniture available for hire?
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Props available for hire?
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Chapel on site?
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Gardens?
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Deck or undercover gazebo etc for guests/ photos?
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Do you have bridal or guest accommodation onsite?
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Do you offer a discount for booking multiple rooms?
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Do you provide a complimentary suite to the bride/groom for their wedding night?
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Can the wedding party get ready at the venue?