One of the largest expenses for wedding planners is the hiring of the venue. And the larger and more prestigious your venue is, the more it’ll cost to hire it. We’re quite fortunate here in Buckinghamshire, as the county is packed with historic buildings and barn conversions, many of which have passed the test of time.

But even the swankiest venue might not be a match for your needs. If you’re to avoid disappointment, you’ll need to do a little bit of digging before you had over the cash. Let’s run through a few questions to ask.

Are there any other events booked on the same day?

If you aren’t expecting to share the limelight with anyone else, it might be a bit of a shock to find that there’s another party going on on the other side of the building.

What are the Decorating rules?

You’ll need to know how early you can access the building to put up your decorations, and whether there are any restrictions in force to prevent you from decorating as you’d like. In some cases, the venue might provide their own decorations – which means you’ll be able to save.

Is there In-House catering?

In-house catering can be a great way to simplify life – provided the food is a match for your tastes. If some of your guests are on special diets, then make sure ahead of time that they’ll be accommodated.

What are the audio facilities like?

Many good venues will provide a stage and a speaker system. If they don’t, then you’ll need to arrange for your musical entertainment (whether it’s a band or a DJ) to provide their own.

What happens if it rains?

An outdoor event is difficult to beat – but if you’re planning one, then you’ll want to have a contingency plan in place, especially if your event if being held in the UK. Ask the venue whether you’ll be able to move everyone indoors.

What about Insurance?

Some venues will impose certain requirements on you, your guests, and any third-parties that are being brought in. Make sure that you ask about whether the venue has its own coverage, and what that coverage amounts to.

What space is available for entertainment?

Naturally, you’ll want extra bits of entertainment to keep your guests satisfied. We offer a range of photo booths that serve just this purpose: they’re supervised by a trained professional for the duration of the night, which means you’ll be able to get on with enjoying yourself!