Before you book your wedding venue, it’s important to ask the right questions. Here are 10 questions that every bride should ask a potential wedding venue:

1. What is the venue’s capacity?

You’ll want to know the capacity of your venue. If it’s outdoors, how many people can fit comfortably in the space? Is there enough room for you and all your guests? How about if it’s indoors? What kind of setup will work best—a dance floor, buffet tables, ceremony seating—and how many people does that allow for?

A good rule of thumb is to have 10 square feet per person when planning your layout. That means an outdoor venue with 100-200 guests should have at least 1000 square feet of space (or more), while an indoor venue with 100-200 guests can fit into a 500-1000 square foot area.

2. How many weddings do you host on a weekend?

This question is aimed at finding out what the wedding schedule is like. You want to know how many weddings they host on a weekend and if there’s a chance of you sharing your day with another couple.

If it turns out that there are multiple weddings going on at once, you should ask whether any other ceremonies will be taking place before yours or after yours; this way, if there’s a conflict between two parties’ schedules, it can be worked out ahead of time rather than causing issues during your wedding day itself later on!

3. What does your wedding package include?

There are many things to consider when determining if a venue is right for you. One of the first things to ask is what’s included in your wedding package and what isn’t. For example, if you plan on having an uplighting installation or a photo booth at your reception, it’s best to know whether those services are offered as additional add-ons or included with the price of your venue rental.

Additionally, make sure that you understand all the costs involved when booking the space so that there are no surprises when it comes time to pay.

4. Are tables, chairs, decor, or linens included in the rental price?

You may find that tables, chairs, and linens are included in the rental price. However, this is not always the case and you may need to rent them from a third party if they are not part of the package.

Venues also can offer table decor options that are included, such as table runners, lanterns, candles, and more! If decor is not included, you may want to look into rental companies that match your style and budget.

5. Does the venue include a day-of coordinator?

If you want to make sure your wedding day goes off without a hitch, it’s important to ask about the venue’s day-of coordinator. A good one will help with everything from setting up decorations and coordinating vendors, to communicating with your guests and making sure food is served on time. You may be able to use their existing staff for this service; if not, you can hire one separately or include them in your package as an add-on. Either way, make sure they can meet all of your needs!

6. When will we have access to the venue on the wedding day?

• What time frame will we and our vendors have access to the venue on the wedding day?
• How long does it typically take for your team to set up the ceremony and reception spaces? How much time do you expect it will take for our vendors to set up (if there are any special requirements)?

7. Do you have a preferred vendor list?

A preferred vendor list is a list of vendors that the venue has an existing relationship with and can recommend to their clients. This means that if you choose one of these vendors, the venue has already vetted them, so you know that you can trust their quality of services.

8. Are there any vendors that we are required to work with?

If there are any vendors that you absolutely must work with, the venue should provide them. For example, some venues require couples to use their own caterers and bartenders. Some couples like this because they can get a better deal on catering or bar services from companies they’ve worked with previously instead of having to pay the venue’s prices for these services. This can be an especially good option if you’re planning a wedding-day budget of less than $5,000!

If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you do your research before signing up for anything—even if it seems like such a great deal at first glance (for example: “Our caterer charges $10 per plate but here we only have to pay $7 per plate”). You don’t want to end up saving money only because someone else took on all of the risk and has no recourse when something goes wrong during setup or service time!

9. Is there an additional fee for bringing in outside vendors?

You should also ask if there are any additional fees or restrictions. It’s important to know ahead of time whether you’re allowed to bring in your own vendors and equipment, especially if you have a favorite florist or caterer who will make the day special for you.

If the venue doesn’t have any restrictions on outside vendors or equipment, then it’s up to you—you can bring in anyone that makes your heart sing! If they do have restrictions on outside vendors, be sure that those vendors are willing to pay whatever fee is required by the venue before signing their contract with them.

10. Are there places for us to stay on-site or nearby?

Ask the venue if they have any recommendations or brochures that they can pass along to you for a nearby hotel or bed and breakfast. Oftentimes a nearby hotel will offer a group rate if you are blocking off a big group of rooms for you and some of your out-of-town guests. Your venue should be a great resource to help you find the best fit for you!

Hopefully, you’ve gotten a better idea of what to look for in a wedding venue and how to put together an ideal package. You should also have some great questions that will help you get the answers you need when touring potential locations. Remember: it’s your big day, so keep an open mind and have fun with it!