Tips for finding a great wedding venue

Welcome to our very first post in our wedding blog series. Over the coming weeks we will have lots of guest blog posts from industry experts sharing their tips for your special day.

In this issue of our wedding blog series we have asked Dominique from Functions & Events to share a few of her tips for finding a great wedding venue ...

Find out exactly what is included in the venue hire, or package price – and get it in writing

Some venues do not include charges such as staff and linen costs, and have it hidden in the fine print, which you might not realise until too late. These hidden charges can really add up. If the venue doesn’t include these charges in the price, don’t be scared to ask for a quote for the cost of staff/linen, so you don’t end up with a fright when you get the bill.

Venue: Five Knots

BYO beverage doesn’t always make the overall cost cheaper

Venues that offer BYO beverages will often mark up the cost of the food and/or venue hire, so the final cost might end up being a lot more expensive than a venue that is fully licensed. Plus don’t forget to factor in the risk of having to try and guess how much beverage you will need to buy, and the cost of purchasing this into your venue comparisons.

Venue: The Dominion

Beware the cost of a dance floor!

Dance floors can be really expensive to hire in, so try find a venue that has one already, or has one in-built.

Venue: Five Knots

Don’t assume because it’s in the photo that it’s included in the price

Just like in Real Estate many venues will stage the venue to make it look good. Ask for photos of the room showing only what comes included in the venue hire/package price so you know what the room is really going to look like. Don’t forget to find out how much all the extra decorations cost – they add up quick!

Venue: Five Knots

Find a venue with a team that you trust

Having a venue contact who is friendly to deal with, and has ideas to make your day special, and who you are confident in, will make all the difference on the day.

If you want to know more, or would like help in finding a fabulous reception or function venue contact Dominique from Functions & Events on dominique@functionsandevents.co.nz or 09 528 6463 – her service is free!