Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue When Touring
Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue When Touring
A Practical Guide for Nashville Couples
Touring wedding venues is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming. Between beautiful spaces, emotional decisions, and packed tour days, it’s easy to walk away thinking you’ve “found the one” without fully understanding how the venue actually functions on a wedding day.
As a Nashville wedding photographer who has worked at a wide range of venues — from estates and barns to downtown hotels and public parks — I’ve seen firsthand how the right questions can make or break the wedding day experience.
This guide walks through the most important questions to ask when touring a wedding venue so you can choose a space that’s not just beautiful, but practical, flexible, and stress-free.
Questions About Availability & Logistics
1. What dates are available, and how long do we have the space?
Ask:
How many hours are included in the rental?
When can vendors arrive?
When does everything need to be cleared out?
Some venues include generous access windows, while others are very strict — and this can directly impact your timeline.
2. Is the venue exclusive on our wedding day?
This is especially important for:
Estates
Hotels
Public venues
Ask whether:
Other events can happen at the same time
Other guests will be on-site
Outdoor spaces are shared
Questions About Rain Plans (Do Not Skip These)
3. What is the rain plan — and where does it actually take place?
Don’t just ask if there’s a rain plan. Ask:
Is it indoors or under cover?
Does it change the guest count?
Does it change the ceremony layout?
A good rain plan should feel intentional, not like a last-minute compromise.
4. When do you decide to move to the rain plan?
Some venues decide:
Morning of
24 hours before
Based on radar vs forecast
Knowing this ahead of time helps everyone stay calm.
Questions About Photography & Lighting
5. Where do couples typically take photos?
Ask:
Where portraits usually happen
What areas photograph best
Where family photos are typically set up
This helps you understand flow and avoids surprises later.
6. Are there indoor photo options if it rains or gets dark early?
Especially important for:
Winter weddings
Outdoor-first venues
Barns with limited window light
You want to know there are solid backup locations that still look great.
Questions About Guest Experience
7. How does the ceremony flow into cocktail hour and reception?
Ask:
Where guests go next
Whether there are long transitions
If signage or staff are provided
Smooth guest flow = smoother timeline and better photos.
8. Is there enough parking — and is it close?
Ask:
On-site vs off-site parking
Shuttle requirements
ADA accessibility
Parking issues are one of the most common guest complaints — and one of the easiest things to overlook during a tour.
Questions About Setup, Rentals & Vendors
9. What is included in the rental?
Clarify:
Tables and chairs
Setup and teardown
Ceremony chairs vs reception chairs
Linens, lighting, or décor
This directly impacts your budget and planning workload.
10. Are we required to use preferred vendors?
Ask:
Which vendors are required
Which are recommended
Whether outside vendors are allowed
This matters most for catering, rentals, and planners.
11. Are there restrictions we should know about?
Examples include:
Noise curfews
Candle restrictions
Alcohol rules
Décor limitations
Restrictions aren’t bad — but surprises are.
Questions About Getting Ready Spaces
12. Where do both partners get ready?
Ask:
If getting-ready spaces are on-site
How early you can access them
Whether both sides have comparable spaces
Good getting-ready spaces reduce stress and improve photos.
13. Is there a private place for the couple before the ceremony?
This is especially helpful for:
Calming nerves
First looks with family
Timeline breathing room
Questions About Timing & Coordination
14. Who is in charge on the wedding day?
Clarify:
What the venue coordinator handles
What they don’t handle
Whether a planner is required or recommended
Venue coordination ≠ wedding planning — and knowing the difference matters.
15. How many weddings do you host per year?
This gives insight into:
Experience level
Efficiency
How well the team handles unexpected changes
A Quick Touring Tip
Bring a notes app or checklist with you on every tour. Venues blur together quickly, and these details matter more than how pretty a space feels in the moment.
FAQs: Questions Couples Ask Most Often
Do we need to ask all of these questions?
No — but the more you ask now, the fewer surprises you’ll face later.
What’s the most important question to ask a venue?
The rain plan. Always the rain plan.
Should we tour venues in person?
Yes. Photos rarely tell the full story, especially when it comes to flow, lighting, and guest experience.
Final Thoughts
A wedding venue isn’t just a backdrop — it sets the tone for your entire day. Asking the right questions during your tour helps ensure the venue supports your vision and your experience.
When couples choose venues thoughtfully, the wedding day feels calmer, timelines flow better, and everyone enjoys the celebration more — including you.