Is it Really the Perfect Wedding Venue?
It is easy to fall for a wedding venue, because of its wonderful setting, luxurious rooms or fabulous facilities, and forget to check the little details which will matter so much to making your day a success.
But nobody wants too many surprises on their wedding day, certainly not unpleasant ones, and careful attention to the small details is what turns a great wedding into a truly unforgettable one.
These are some questions you may not have thought of asking about your wedding venue - ask them before you decide that the location really is the perfect one for your wedding and definitely before you make a firm booking.
Are any Permits Required?
Does the venue for your wedding have all the necessary permits to ensure that marriage ceremonies carried out there will be legal? Most hotels and venues that advertise wedding will have this sorted, but if you are doing any independent organisation it is a vital issue.
If any additional permits are required, who applies for them (you or the venue)? Who pays?
What is the Alcohol Policy?
In some countries there are restrictions on the serving of alcohol in certain locations. This is a particularly important question when a wedding reception will be held outdoors or in a temporary structure such as a marquee. Ask if any such restrictions apply and make sure that the venue is covered by any required licences.
Do you want to hear the true story about the wedding where the police arrived and took away all the alcohol just as the reception was about to start? No, I thought not!
What if the Weather is Bad?
In many destinations this is such an unlikely possibility as to be irrelevant - in others sudden storms can ruin the best planned outdoor wedding. Every country has times of the year when the weather is less predictable, so check out the country's climate to assess the risk of problems on your chosen date.
If you have planned an outdoor wedding is there an indoor alternative if the weather plays up?
Are Children Allowed?
If there will be children attending your wedding check this carefully since many luxury wedding venues in particular are in hotels or other premises that have restrictions on where children may go and at what times.
If there will be children attending the wedding it might also be wise to check if the venue has child-minding services in place - both to entertain the little ones during the day and to babysit in the evenings so that their parents can have a good time!
Of course it may be that you want a venue without children - if so mention of paddling pools or kid's clubs at hotel websites or in brochures should strike an immediate warning.
Are There any Dress Codes?
This is an particularly important question when planning a church wedding in a foreign country, as what is perfectly acceptable dress for the bride, or for guests, at home may not be acceptable there. Some Catholic priests in Europe for example are very conservative and will not allow women inside a church if their arms are bare.
Remember if there are such codes that you need to let any wedding guests know about them well in advance.
Are Insects an Issue?
Taking your vows while swatting madly at hovering bugs is nobody's idea of romance!
Ask the venue if insects can be a problem, and if so what time of day is most likely to be insect free and what measures both they and you can take to make sure that you minimise any potential nuisance.
Remember too that in many warm countries insects can be a real health risk, so holding your wedding at at suitable time is very important.