Searching for the perfect wedding venue can quickly go from exciting to overwhelming. Nowadays, there are so many different types of venues available, from hotels to barns to castles. It’s easy to feel lost in a sea of choices. On top of picking a beautiful space, you also need to consider the time of year, guest numbers, catering, styling, and countless logistical details. To help you navigate it all, we’ve put together a list of 10 essential questions you should ask every venue you visit.
1. Is our preferred date(s) available?
The first question every couple should be asking is about a venue's availability. Even if you don’t know, it's a great starting point as different venues may have different offerings and packages throughout the year, such as availability of outdoor spaces and offers. In your venue search, it's a great idea to visit a venue's website gallery, Instagram, or Pinterest to get a feel for a venue through the seasons. This can help narrow down your choices as you might fall in love with how a venue looks in summer, but if it's not available until 2029 and you’re planning a wedding in 2027, it may not be the right fit. Understanding availability and seasonal differences up front can save a lot of time and heartache.
At Worton Hall, our couples are key, so we try our best to be as flexible as possible so couples can get married how they want, when they want.
2. What is included in the hire price?
Overall, couples determine that pricing is one of the most important decisions when choosing a venue. It’s essential to understand exactly what's included in the price, especially when it comes to high-value amenities such as on-site accommodation, access to a bridal suite, and any additional charges for garden or outdoor spaces.
Another key consideration is whether the venue provides furnishings and décor, or if you’ll need to source everything yourself. For example, we offer both a traditional hire, which includes furnishings, set-up, and so much more, as well as a dry hire option that leaves the venue a complete blank canvas.
Having some of those small extra bits like a wooden cart, cake table and stand, customisable signs, easel, foliage, and arches can really help when planning your budget and represent a definite opportunity cost when comparing venues. At Worton Hall, we provide all of this and more, as detailed in our decorative items logbook that we send out to guests when booking.
3. Are there any extra/hidden charges?
This is one of the biggest worries for couples! Always ask if there are any additional fees beyond the base rental cost. This could include charges for cleaning, security, overtime, use of sound equipment, parking, hiring certain suppliers, or service staff. Transparency upfront helps avoid surprises on your final bill. There may also be additional fees depending on your level of hire or packages purchased.
We promise to always be transparent with couples, laying out all the options available and giving our advice to help them make an informed and cost-effective decision.
4. What indoor and outdoor spaces do you have?
ind out what spaces are available and suitable for your ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, and even photos. Some venues offer beautiful gardens, terraces, or patios in addition to elegant indoor rooms. Knowing your options helps you plan the flow of your day. Assessing your options is even more important when considering outdoor weddings, as contingencies based on the weather are so important, especially in the UK. On the sunny side, having the potential to move aspects of your wedding outside on a sunny day is a major benefit.
We do our best to react to the weather and have adapted plans indoors when it's raining and outdoors when it's sunny.
5. What is the venues capacity for ceremony, dining and reception?
Capacity varies from venue to venue and space to space. Some venues have a variety of spaces tailored for different sized weddings. These spaces can also differ in purpose as some may be more suited to ceremonies, dining or receptions. Some spaces may even combine to make a larger space. There is a lot to consider, so making sure you know venue and room capacities and room configurations will be key to your planning and ensuring your guests are comfortable.
We will always do our best to help you find the best option for your guest number and recommend what configurations are best.
6. What can we do with the space, what are the layout and decorating options?
Following on, asking about how flexible the space is is key. Can you bring your own decorations? Are there restrictions on hanging items, candles, or lighting? Is there anywhere you cannot put decorations?
We allow our venue to be completely customisable, while others have fixed layouts or design guidelines. Our website and social media are also regularly updated with photos from real weddings that can help you visualise what you want your wedding to look like. These can be a great source of inspiration and give you a realistic idea of what’s achievable within the space.
7. When can we access the venue/Can we come and decorate the venue the night before?
Knowing when you and your suppliers can start setting up is crucial for smooth planning. Some venues are quite flexible while others have strict time windows. Knowing your timings is so important for avoiding stress in the run-up to your big day.
We try to be as flexible as possible and give couples the opportunity to start setting up the evening before and on the day of their wedding.
8. What are the catering options?
Caterers are one of the most important suppliers at your wedding and are responsible for a significant spend in your wedding budget, so dedicating a conversation around this topic is crucial when viewing a wedding venue. Some venues may have internal caterers while others may not and permit external caterers; some venues might offer both. Venues without internal caterers may also have recommended supplier lists, and it's important to ask whether you can choose someone not on that list.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen catering choices expand beyond the traditional three-course sit-down meal. Couples are increasingly opting for more relaxed and creative food experiences like food trucks, grazing tables, BBQs, sharing platters, and more. At Worton Hall, we’re proud to support a wide range of catering styles and offer the flexibility to work with both indoor and outdoor caterers to suit your vision.
9. Are there any restrictions or guidelines we need to follow?
Restrictions could include noise curfews, fireworks, alcohol policies, smoking areas, or limits on amplified music. Understanding these helps you avoid last-minute issues and keeps your wedding running smoothly. In the initial stages of your venue search, this may not be at the top of your mind, but if you are set on a specific vision such as fireworks, outdoor caterers, a disco or live band, grand décor, or something else, then asking about those should be high on your list of questions.
We believe in being transparent by outlining any restrictions clearly in our booking terms and conditions, so you know exactly what to expect.
10. Do you have onsite accommodation?
Having onsite accommodation is a huge convenience, especially for out-of-town guests or for couples who want to stay overnight without travelling. Some venues offer hotel-style rooms, while others may have charming holiday cottages that provide a more private, cosy option for family, bridal parties, or even the newlyweds themselves. Be sure to ask how many people can be accommodated, whether there are packages available, and the booking window to see when they have to book it by.
We have seven holiday cottages available, with our two onsite properties being prioritised as wedding accommodation, namely Stable Cottage and The Farmhouse. Stable Cottage is included in our hire fee while The Farmhouse is reserved for wedding couples up to 6 months before your date. The Farmhouse, sleeping up to 22, is the perfect place to spend time with your nearest and dearest, while Stable Cottage, sleeping up to 4, is a perfect sanctuary of relaxation and rest after a wonderful day.
We hope we've given you some helpful questions to assist you on your wedding venue search! Please get in touch if you have any other questions for our team or to take a look around our own stunning venue.
