Ask Your Wedding Venue these 10 Questions to Stay Within Budget

Selecting and securing your wedding reception venue dictates so much about your wedding; the location, the style, the photos, the attire, and of course, the budget. If you're like most brides-to-be, you have formed some vision of the setting of your reception. Maybe it was realistic, maybe it wasn't. Maybe you pulled every darn string possible to make it realistic. Whether you had the money or you scrounged to secure your dream venue, working it into your budget and sacrificing other details, all pays off when you can write the check for the down payment. You breathe a sigh of relief—one of the big items on the checklist can be crossed off.

In your rush, you hastily scrawled your signature on the contract agreement. In your excitement, you neglected to read the added costs associated with the wedding venue. If this wasn't explained to you upfront, it can be hard to not feel taken advantage of, especially when the venue itself was a splurge. Be warned, sometimes the “venue price” is only renting the facility out.

It's absolutely essential for planning purposes and peace of mind to research your venue(s), thoroughly read the contract, and to ask your vendor for clarification if you have any confusion.

These 10 questions specifically need to be addressed in order to keep costs within budget:

1. Are the linens and tableware included with the room rental? This includes napkins, tablecloths, flatware, stemware, plates, etc. Some venues like outdoor barns may require you to rent tables, chairs, linens and all of the accessories from a rental company. This can almost double your cost.

2. Is parking included? In major metropolitan areas, having your wedding downtown might mean that you or your guests will have to pay for parking.

3. If your ceremony is being held at the same venue, what is the cost for renting microphones, sound equipment and chairs?

4. If you're featuring more than one entree on the menu, you will need to find out if your venue charges a split entree fee. It does require more coordination and effort on the catering staff to deliver more than one option for dinner.

5. For your dance reception, will you have to rent the dance floor from the venue?

6. Will you be charged for using the venue's Wifi?

7. Is gratuity already included in the service fee for the food and beverage staff? The verbiage on this can be hazy. Your contract may charge a percentage for a service fee for staff and then say that staff gratuity is not included. Ask what this means and if it's expected to give a tip.

8. Does the venue require you hire an in-house wedding planner? Sometimes the service staff do not have the time and capability to coordinate your needs during the reception. Some venues will require you to hire an in-house or offsite planner to handle the reception details.

9. Is there a cake cutting fee? Most reception locations will charge you to cut a cake that is made from an offsite baker. Cutting the cake takes time and it's not an easy feat. Plus, you are using more of their plates and services like serving the cake and washing the dishes.

10. This is a big one; does your venue require you to purchase their liability insurance? Sometimes couples can rely on their own insurance and sometimes venues require you to purchase theirs.