Most couples viewing a venue ask two things: how many people fit, and how much does it cost. Both matter. Neither tells you much about how the day will actually feel.
What happens if it rains?
Meru gets rain, and a garden wedding needs a real answer to this — not a vague one. Ask to see the wet-weather plan drawn on the floor plan. Ask how long the changeover takes, who executes it, and at what point in the day the decision gets made. A venue that has done this before will answer in specifics.
Where does the power come from?
Sound, lighting, catering equipment and a photographer's kit all draw power. Ask whether there is mains supply, whether there is a generator, whether it is on site or hired in, and who is responsible for fuel. An outage during speeches is memorable for the wrong reason.
Who is on site on the day?
There is a real difference between a venue that hands you the keys and one that puts a coordinator on the ground. Ask for a name. Ask what time they arrive and what time they leave. Ask who your suppliers call when something is missing.
What does the quote actually include?
- Set-up and strike time — is it inside the hire period or charged separately?
- Parking, security and washrooms
- Corkage or outside-catering fees
- Overtime rates, and the hard finish time
- Deposit, balance dates and the cancellation terms
Can you speak to a recent couple?
A venue that is confident in its work will connect you with someone who married there in the last year. That conversation is worth more than any brochure.
The venues worth booking are the ones that answer awkward questions in specifics rather than reassurance.