Happy Friday Dreamcicle Brides! We’re so excited to have Stacey B of ASU Kerr Cultural Center here to wrap up her article on venue hunting (you can find part 1 here)!!  If you missed her first series on wedding planners, you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Stacey is the Marketing, Program and Special Events Coordinator at ASU Kerr Cultural Center, a division of ASU Gammage. She has extensive experience planning various events, including weddings and knows all the right questions you should be asking! Stacey enjoys making complicated things feel easier for people interested in that kind of thing. Thank you again, Stacey, for being a part of our blog with this amazing series! We just love working with you!!!

Things You Should Ask When Interviewing the Venue

Here’s a list of the questions you should be asking your potential wedding and reception sites, whether they do 50 weddings a year or five:

 What are the food and beverage terms? May I bring my own vendors or am I required to use the venue’s list?

• Does the venue provide tables and chairs? Which sizes are available and how many of each type exist?
• Does my rental time include the time to set up and tear down? What are my responsibilities regarding set-up and strike?
• What are the rules and terms of liquor service? May I stock my own bar and hire a liquor-certified bartender, or am I required to use the venue’s labor and inventory?
• Which permits are required for my event? When are these permits due?
• Does the venue have a PA/sound system? When hiring a DJ or band, will these entertainment services have to provide an amp and speakers? If the venue has a sound system included in the venue rental, you should qualify for a lower entertainment package price. They’ll also spend less time on setup.
• If dancing will be a major part of the reception, what are your options for dance floor space?
• Will I need to provide certificates of insurance for all my vendors (caterer, bar service, DJ, etc.)? What is the venue’s deadline for these items?
• Am I required to obtain event insurance? What are the minimums, terms and deadlines for this?
• Where will my guests park? Are there valet or parking services that I or my guests may have to cover?
• What is the payment schedule? Most venues will collect 50%  to 100% of the booking fee up front. Make sure you can handle the pay schedule, then put reminders in your phone or personal calendar about these important dates. This will ensure smooth administrative interaction with your venue. Double-check the forms of payment that are accepted.
• What is off-limits with regard to decorations and favors? Sparklers, rice, candles and lanterns are often not permitted at event sites, or permitted only with restrictions—are you certain about what you can utilize or allow your guests to have at your wedding and reception? It is always better to disclose your need to have these types of items at your party as soon as possible during the planning phase of your wedding and reception. Disclose every detail to your venue rep so you are not surprised on event day. They will appreciate that you haven’t omitted any details and can better serve you when they know what you have planned.
• What is the hold policy? If you can hold a date while exploring venue options, you can avoid impulse decisions and take the time to compare your top choices. Do not be afraid to have multiple holds if you are comparing several venues.

Set a Deadline for Choosing Your Venue

Many couples find it best to set a decision deadline for the venue. Considering that the venue is the first domino to topple in a queue of many, setting a deadline can prevent any lingering contemplation or comparison between your top choices and keep you on your timeline. You will be astounded at how quickly the planning process can progress from there.

 The best venues and vendors recognize that weddings and receptions are a rare opportunity to serve two individuals and all of the people that mean the most to them. A wedding and reception are essentially your coming-out party as a committed set of adults. The dynamics of the wedding and reception involve family, friends, co-workers and extended family.

Good luck in your search for the venue that will delight everyone as you mark a milestone and combine and expand your circle of loved ones.

Stacey B.

ASU Kerr Cultural Center

Photography: Dreamcicle Studios Photography | Venue: ASU Kerr Cultural Center

About Dreamcicle Studios Photography: We’re a madly in love husband and wife photography team in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area that loves capturing love more than anything! We photograph new beginnings and completed souls; faces of anticipation, happiness, love. It’s wedding photography designed uniquely for you. We’d love to speak to you about photographing your dream wedding day! Contact us by clicking here.