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The venue contract terms couples miss until it's too late: spending minimums, music curfews, exclusive vendor lists, setup windows, insurance and capacity limits.
The price on a venue's brochure is rarely what you end up paying, and the rules in its contract shape your day more than the room does. Food and drink minimums, music curfews, lists of vendors you're required to use, short setup and cleanup windows, insurance requirements and capacity limits are all common, and they vary widely from venue to venue. Ask about every one of them in writing before you sign, because each one can quietly change your budget, your guest count or your timeline.
Many venues quote a food and beverage minimum rather than a room fee. That's the amount you must spend on catering and bar, and if your order comes in under it, you usually pay the difference anyway. It sounds generous until you realise the minimum often excludes things you assumed were included.
Venues near homes often have to stop amplified music at a set time. Local noise rules usually set tighter limits at night, and they vary between jurisdictions. Some areas split the day into daytime and nighttime limits, and a venue's licence can be stricter still.
Some venues require you to use their in-house caterer or pick from a preferred list. Others let you bring anyone but charge a fee for outside vendors. Neither is automatically bad, but it changes your comparison.
Your contract lists the hours you have the space. Often that includes setup and cleanup, so a six-hour booking can mean far less time with guests. Ask:
Venues often require clients to carry a minimum amount of event liability insurance and may ask to be named as an additional insured, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The same source notes that cancellation cover generally won't pay out if you call the event off voluntarily. Read the venue's own cancellation and postponement terms too.
Get the answers in writing, attached to the contract. The questions to ask a wedding venue guide has a fuller list, and how to choose a wedding venue covers the decision itself. Once your venue is booked, test your floor plan early: a table calculator will tell you whether your guest count truly fits.
It's the least you must spend on catering and bar at the venue. If you spend less, you usually pay the shortfall. Ask whether tax, service charges and gratuity count toward it.
Yes, many do, and it's written into the contract. Some allow outside caterers for a fee. Check before you sign, not after.
Usually because of local noise rules, a licence condition or neighbours. The time varies by place, so plan your evening backwards from it.
Many venues require event liability insurance and ask to be named on the policy. Ask the venue exactly what cover and amount it needs.
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