A venue tour is a sales experience — a good one, usually, with golden light and someone charming walking you through the good angles. The questions below exist because the things that will actually shape your day and your invoice are rarely on the tour.
The one question that changes everything
"What is your catering policy?" Whether a venue requires in-house catering, restricts you to a preferred list, or lets you bring anyone is the biggest hidden cost lever in the entire venue decision. An affordable room with mandatory in-house catering at a high per-person rate can cost more than a pricier room with an open vendor policy. Ask this before you fall in love.
Money questions
- "What would a realistic all-in total look like for a Saturday with our guest count?" Venues quote the room; couples pay the total. Make them add it up: space, food if in-house, staffing, tables, chairs, linens, service fees, tax.
- "What exactly is included?" Tables, chairs, linens, setup, teardown, staff — every "not included" becomes a rental line later.
- "Are service fees and taxes on this quote?" Unclear fees are a classic 22–25% surprise. Get the quote all-in, in writing.
- "What do off-peak dates cost?" Off-season (Nov–Mar) and Friday/Sunday dates typically save 15–30% — the same room, the same light.
For context, a US venue space alone typically runs $3k–$15k, and all-inclusive packages are usually quoted per person at $100–300pp.
Logistics questions
- "What's the capacity — seated, with a dance floor?" You want a room that fits your list at 80–110%. Too big feels empty; too small is a fire marshal conversation.
- "What's the rain plan — can we see it?" The backup should be a space you'd be happy with, not one you'd tolerate. Ask to stand in it.
- "Is there a noise curfew?" An 8pm outdoor sound cutoff has ended more receptions than weather has. Get the hour, and whether it applies indoors.
- "Are there getting-ready rooms? Parking? Where do older guests get dropped off?"
- "Do you host more than one event per day?" If they promise exclusivity, it belongs in the contract — a promise on a tour isn't a term.
Contract questions
- "What are the deposit and cancellation terms?" Including what happens if a date moves.
- "Can we substitute vendors on your preferred list?" A mandatory list with no substitutions is a red flag worth walking away from — it usually means commissions, not quality control.
Bring the answers back into one place
Touring three venues means thirty answers to keep straight. The Genie tracks your shortlist side by side on your Wedding Board — capacity, all-in estimates, curfews, catering policies — and drafts the outreach emails that get these questions answered before you ever drive out. Start with a venue search in your city, free.
