Questions to ask on a wedding venue viewing: the bare room, decor rules, supplier access, weather plans and guest numbers. The Wedding House styles venues across Worcestershire and the West Midlands. This guide lists the questions we would ask for you, and why each one affects your decor budget.
Questions to ask on a wedding venue viewing are easy to forget, because a viewing goes quickly. The Wedding House is a wedding decor hire business based in Droitwich Spa. We work inside venues across Worcestershire, the West Midlands and the Cotswolds every week. These are the questions we would ask for you.
Ask what the room looks like without any decor in it. Many venues show photographs from a styled wedding. That makes it hard to judge how much work the room needs. Ask to see the space empty if you can.
If not, ask whether the room has strong character, such as exposed stone, glass or wood panelling. Character like this reduces how much styling you need.
At Tortworth Court, for example, the Orangery is a glass domed room with plenty of character. A plainer function room would need more decor. The answer changes how much you should budget.
Ask what the venue allows for real candles, confetti and anything fixed to walls or ceilings. These rules vary between venues and can change over time. Do not rely on what a friend was told two years ago.
Ask whether items can hang from ceilings or beams. Ask how the venue works with outside suppliers on the day.
Ask about access and timings for your suppliers too. Find out when your stylist can arrive and how long set-up can take. Ask whether collection is the same night or the next day. This detail shapes what your styling plan can include.
For an outdoor ceremony, ask exactly what the indoor back-up is. Ask how much notice the venue needs to move indoors, and which room it would use. Check that the room can still hold your chosen styling pieces.
Tortworth Court, for example, offers outdoor ceremonies in its grounds. The venue’s website calls the structure its ceremony pagoda. Indoor rooms are available if the weather turns.
A venue’s maximum capacity is not always what your table plan allows. Ask how numbers change with a dance floor, a top table or a set seating layout. Do not rely on the largest number in a brochure. Ask room by room if the venue has more than one space.
Find out what furniture, lighting and equipment the venue already has. Some venues include tables, chairs and basic lighting. Others expect you to hire everything beyond the room itself. This question can change your styling budget, so ask before you compare venues on price.
Do not judge a room only from a wedding fair or open day. The room is already dressed and full of other suppliers. Ask to see it on a quieter day, at the time your own ceremony would take place. You will see how the light behaves in the room.
Ask what the room looks like without any decor in it. The answer shows how much styling you will need.
Before, always. Rules on candles, confetti and wall fixings vary between venues. They can affect your whole styling plan.
Ask how the number changes with a dance floor, a top table or your seating plan. A brochure maximum is not always realistic for your layout.
Ask what the indoor back-up is and how much notice the venue needs. Ask whether your styling can move indoors with you.
Some couples bring a stylist, though it depends on the venue. If you cannot, take detailed photographs and ask the questions in this guide.
We recommend booking as soon as your date and room are confirmed. Peak season Saturdays go quickly.
If Tortworth Court is on your shortlist, see our Tortworth Court wedding decor hire guide. For a real example from the Orangery, see this pastel Easter wedding at Tortworth Court. Once you have chosen a venue, our wedding venue styling page is the next step.
Just back from a venue viewing and unsure what the answers mean for your budget? Get in touch and we will talk it through. You can also visit our showroom in Droitwich Spa, open by appointment.
We’d love to hear from you and help bring your dream day to life. Whether you’re ready to start planning or just exploring ideas, our friendly team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Visit us by booking an appointment.
Call us on:
01905 794 200
07934 359 009
For out of hours and emergency enquiries:
07834 242 467
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