Wedding Venue Walk Through

Consider how your guests will arrive. Is there parking? Is valet provided? Shuttle Service from ceremony to reception?

Do you need to provide evening lighting? Consider the path to the ceremony, the location of aperitifs, etc.

Are there restrooms available?

Is the alter set up in the right location, and in the right way? Are the attendees sitting or standing, and how will they be organized? What about room for musicians?

How will the officiant's voice get across? Does the venue provide enough echo for officiant or does he/she need to be miked?

Where will you host a cocktail hour/aperitifs? (consider, musicians, bar tables, hors d'oeuvres, a table to display dinner card for seating arrangements, guest book, cocktail tables....)

Is it a chillier time of year? Consider a coat check.

Think about the reception layout - where to host the cutting of the cake, where the DJ or band will set up, bar station, table size and layout, etc.

Consider where the catering company can set up and organize the food. Do you need to provide any equipment or supplies for them?

Do you need additional electrical outlets for both ambient lighting and the musicians/DJ?

Is there enough power in the facility, or should you supply the venue with a generator to support the additional power?

How much time in advance can the reception venue offer you to set up? Are there any additional costs incurred by the venue for the setup?

Ask the reception venue what rules the have for setup & deconstruction of the decorations. Some places might be strict with how to do it and in timing.

Is the wedding outside? Consider if there could be any pesky insects (mosquito season!) or allergens present.

Are there any parts of the venue that need to be changed or covered for your wedding? For example, a broken table/chair, stains in carpeting, landscape trimming, etc.

If the room you would like to use requires too much "fix up," consider those costs in addition. This could really add up :-/