Romance and planning skills should go hand-in-hand when it comes to nailing down the wedding venue of your dreams. When you're planning the perfect wedding, you think of all the visuals: the dress, the cake, the bridesmaids, the photos. No on ever warns you that's the easy part. Before any other details come together, you have to find the perfect venue. Then you have to hope it's available on your big day, and at a price you can afford. "Picking a venue is a big deal. It's what you need to do first, before you choose your other vendors,"said Kade Mincey, events manager for Legacy Lakes in Science Hill, Kentucky. "Once you have a venue, you"ll have an actual date and location, which allows you to schedule your other vendors." The hunt for the ideal setting can be one of the most fun, if overwhelming, steps along the way. Kentucky has more than its share of wedding-worthy locations, and you've likely already scoped out a few. Before you make a decision, consider these behind-the-scenes details that all couples should know. To make sure you're getting the most out of your venue experience--and budget-- here are 12 essential questions you should ask venue managers.
1. What's included in the venue fee?
This one might seem obvious, but you shouldn't take any details for granted. It's important to know exactly what you"re paying for when you"re quoted a venue fee. Some venues include everything--from table and chairs to lines--while others charge extra for essential items. Make sure to ask what is and isn't included in the base price.
2. Are there indoor and outdoor spaces? Are there areas with limited access or special rules?
Some venues charge according to which part of the facility you rent. Legacy Lakes has outdoor and indoor spaces for each event, which is crucial for older guests or for those with special needs. Kentucky is beautiful year-round, but it can be uncomfortably hot even in spring.
"When you're looking at a venue, really for any event, always ask if the reception area is heated and cooled," Legacy Lakes owner Angela Vaught says. "Most people want outdoor weddings, but do they want to stay out in it? Probably not."
You should also ask is some areas are off-limits to guests. A catered wedding might not allow guests in the kitchen area, for example. At Legacy, the pool area is not always available to guests. There are also ponds where catch-and-release fishing is allowed, but only during certain events.
3. What if something goes wrong?
Always ask about the venue's contingency plan in case of unexpected events--whether it's bad weather, equipment failure, or an emergency. Does the venue have an indoor backup plan? What happens if you have to cancel or postpone your event? "Event insurance is a must," Vaught said. It is required for weddings at Legacy Lakes. Not only does it give you peace of mind, it could offset budget breakdowns after a crisis. Insurance protects couples and the venue. Depending on the policy you choose, event insurance might cover a variety of situations such as cancellations, vendor failures, damage to wedding attire or to the venue, and other catastrophes you don't want to worry about on your big day. Legacy Lakes does not sell vendor insurance, but we provide references in our preferred vendor list.
4. How does your wedding date affect the cost?
Did you know it's cheaper to get married on a weekday? Your wedding could be less expensive if you're flexible with the date. Weekdays, especially Mondays through Thursdays, are cheaper than weekends. Some venues offer Sunday rates, too.
Off-peak months during winter often come with a lower price tag than peak wedding season in spring and fall. "It is a big deal to a lot of our guests that Legacy Lakes offers special weekday and Sunday rates," Vaught said.
5. Does the venue offer discounts or packages?
Many venues offer promotional packages that include everything from catering and decorations to photography and florals. It's worth asking if any special promotional packages are available or if they offer seasonal discounts. Legacy Lakes has a variety of photo packages available from Vaught and Mincey, who are two of the most experienced and popular wedding photographers in the region.
6. Is it cheaper to book all your wedding-themed events at the venue?
Don't forget to ask about the venue's availability for rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, overnight stays, or post-wedding brunches. Legacy Lakes is available for all wedding-themed events, and our bride and bridegroom suites are available for overnight stays. Booking all your events at one location can help simplify planning and might even lead to discounted rates.
7. Are costs negotiable?
Not usually. Most venues have standard pricing, however you can often find ways to cut costs without cutting corners--especially if you're flexible with your date. Don't be afraid to ask if they can offer discounts for booking multiple services... Legacy offers discount when you book multiple services that include photography, and now even offers catering and music that can be added to packages.
8. What is the guest capacity, and how many restrooms are available?
By the time you book a venue, you should have a pretty solid idea of how many guests you expect. Legacy Lakes can seat 170 people indoors. Couples rarely think to ask about restrooms when booking a venue, Vaught pointed out. "There should be at least one restroom per fity guests. Legacy has four," she said.
9. What decorations are included in the package?
Venue often include some decorations as part of the overall experience, but most are hybrid facilities with a limited selection that might include linens or photo backdrops. Be specific with what you want, and know what restrictions the venue has on any decorations you bring.
Venues typically have a list of decoration rules, many of which are common sense:
no open flames such as candles, no hanging items from the ceiling or walls, no glitter or confetti.
10. Are there any noise or time restrictions?
Most facilities offer a set number of hours for each event. Be sure to clarify how long your rental time is, and whether you can extend your time. Some places are more flexible than others. Knowing this up front will help you plan your timeline and avoid rushing the end of your celebration. If you plan to have a band or DJ, or just want the party to run late into the night, ask about noise or curfew limitations. Some neighborhoods may have noise restrictions.
11. Is alcohol allowed?
Alcohol policies vary widely in the venue industry. Some venues allow you to bring alcohol. Some serve it, and some do not allow it all. Know the rules up front.
12. Do you have a preferred vendor list?
Legacy Lakes has no required vendors. Some venues work exclusively with certain vendors for catering, photography, or floral arrangements. This might limit your options or increase costs, or possibly decrease cost. Be sure to ask if the venue has a preferred vendor list, and if you can bring in your own vendors {or if there are additional fees for doing so.} Though Legacy has no such requirements, we do offer a list of recommended vendors to help our couples get started on their planning.
Shop Local
Thank you for stopping by our blog! WE hope that you will consider choosing a locally owned wedding venue for your big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience, they tend to have little to no turnover, they support the local economy, and they are part of the community. Choosing a locally owned wedding venue means the world to our community. In an effort to support locally owned wedding venues like Legacy Lakes, we will feature five small business wedding venues in each of our blogs. Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on WeddingVenueOwners.com.
Springhaus Farm Blog
https://www.shfweddings.com/blog
Blueberry Hill Wedding Barn Elkin NC
https://www.blueberryhillweddingbarnelkinnc.com
Willow Sky Ranch
https://www.willowskyranch.com
Cornerstone Ranch Events Blog
https://www.cornerstoneranchevents.com/blog
Lavender on the Lake
https://www.lavenderonthelakeevents.com/blog
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