As any wedding planner will tell you, finding the perfect wedding venue should be first on your list. After all, once you book the space for your big day, you’ll have a date to give your other vendors, so you can check their availability.

Here at Kendall Point, we love showing couples around our venue and giving them the warm fuzzies, but what’s even more important is that you get the right venue for you on your special day.

It’s so easy to get distracted by the amazing views and grand ballrooms, but there are a lot of other things you should consider before signing on the dotted line. In this guide, we’ll give you 15 important questions to ask a wedding venue to make sure you’re getting everything you want.

Wedding Venue Tours: Know Before You Go

At first glance, your venue tour may seem rather straightforward—just show up and look at the space, right? However, there is a right and a wrong way to find your San Antonio wedding venue.

Here are a few things you should know before you arrive.

• Wedding venue tours are by appointment only. Unless a venue says otherwise on their website, make sure you’ve scheduled an appointment before you show up.
• Arrive at your appointment on time. Venue tours are often scheduled back-to-back in order to accommodate as many people as possible—especially on Saturdays! If you’re late, everyone else’s tour is late, and that will affect any events happening that day.
• Dress for success! Some venues may have a dress code, but if not, business casual is a smart choice. Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be walking a lot.
• Limit your entourage. To make sure you get the most out of your tour, limit the number of people you bring with you, especially if your tour is on a Saturday. Bring only the people who are the most important to the wedding planning experience.
• Eat before you arrive. It’s hard to focus when you’re hangry!
• Do your research. Find out everything you can about the venue before you see it in person. Check out the venue’s Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok accounts for photos of real weddings and read reviews on Google, The Knot, and Wedding Wire.
• Save questions for the end. Many of the general venue questions will likely be answered during the tour, anyway.
• Remember, this is your wedding! Your venue team should never pressure you to “book today”. Feel free to discuss things in private with your fiancé. Choosing the right venue is a big deal!

Want even more tips on having the best venue tour? Check out this TikTok we made!

@texasweddingvenue

The best way to have the best tour experience, get all the info before the tour and study! #weddingvenuehunting #weddingvenue #texasweddingvenue #bridetobe #engaedaf #weddingvenuetour

♬ original sound – Texas Wedding Venue

 

top questions to ask wedding venue

It’s incredibly common for venue tours—and wedding planning in general!—to feel like a whirlwind. You’re taking in so much information and making so many decisions that you might forget which end is up.

While most of the crucial details will be addressed during the tour, it’s a good idea to keep a list of questions to ask each wedding venue to make sure that nothing gets overlooked.

1. WHAT DATES ARE AVAILABLE?

If you have your heart set on a specific date, ask for the venue’s availability before you schedule a tour. However, our advice is to fall in love with your venue, not your date. (Your wedding venue will go a lot farther in fulfilling your wedding dreams than what day your anniversary is!)

At Kendall Point, we would love to share our calendar with you so you can know right away how our venue fits into your wedding planning process.

2. WHAT IS YOUR PRICING?

Ideally, you should know a venue’s pricing before you even book your tour. That way, you’re not wasting your time if it’s way out of your budget.

If the venue doesn’t list their base pricing on their website, call or email them first. If they’re still hesitant to share their pricing, it will probably make wedding planning pretty difficult.

3. WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

You’ll want to know about any possible additional fees ahead of time, so you can stay on track with your wedding budget.

Some venues may charge extra for:

• Setup and breakdown;
• Corkage fees;
• Cake cutting fees;
• Service charges and gratuities (i.e. “plus-plus” fees);
• Going over a certain guest count;
• Using a vendor that isn’t on their preferred vendor list.

(Just so you know, Kendall Point has no hidden fees or plus-plus fees. We keep it simple, the way it should be.)

4. CAN I SEE A SAMPLE CONTRACT?

This is a great way to get a full understanding of what’s included at each venue before signing on the dotted line.

If you’re interested in Kendall Point as your wedding venue, we can email you our sample contract at any time, so you can read it without distraction.

5. HOW MANY WEDDINGS DO YOU SCHEDULE A DAY?

Unless your venue can accommodate multiple weddings at once, it’s important to know whether you’ll be sharing your wedding date with other couples, as this may limit the time you have for decorating, getting ready, and taking pictures.

At Kendall Point, we only host one wedding a day, giving you plenty of time to make sure every detail is perfect!

6. HOW MANY HOURS ARE INCLUDED IN MY RENTAL?

If your rental starts at a specific time, this will affect your wedding timeline.

You need access to your wedding venue long before the ceremony starts to decorate the space, set up catering, and take pictures with your photographer. You’ll also want to have plenty of time to enjoy your reception.

If you think you’ll need extra time, ask whether your rental period can be extended, as well as any overtime fees that may apply.

7. DO YOU HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE?

Accidents can strike at any time (especially when there’s an open bar). If your wedding venue doesn’t carry liability insurance, you may want to look into getting your own. Temporary liability policies are available for weddings and other events, and they’re often very affordable.

8. WHAT IS THE PARKING SITUATION?

Not every wedding venue comes with a full parking lot, which means your guests will need to find street parking or pay at a meter or garage.

9. ARE THERE ANY NOISE RESTRICTIONS?

Noise restrictions will limit the amount of time you have for your reception. If noise ordinances force you to stop the party by 10pm, you’ll want to plan for an earlier wedding (or a shorter reception) to accommodate this.

10. DO WE NEED TO USE CERTAIN VENDORS?

Some venues may have in-house caterers or wedding planners, while others have a list of preferred vendors for you to choose from. At the very least, most venues offer a list of suggested vendors they’ve worked with in the past to make your selection a bit easier.

You’ll also want to inquire about nearby hotels and transportation options.

At Kendall Point, we’ve made wedding planning easier for you by supplying a list of top-notch San Antonio vendors for you to peruse. This means less time spent searching for and interviewing bartenders, caterers, wedding coordinators, and DJs, and more time finding the perfect dress, planning your honeymoon, and more!

11. CAN I GET READY ON-SITE?

Some wedding venues have designated “getting ready rooms” for brides, grooms, and the wedding party to get gussied up and bond before the ceremony. If so, ask what time the rooms are available to you and what amenities are available, such as electrical sockets, mirrors, and lighting.

At Kendall Point, you have a 14-hour rental window, allowing you plenty of time to get ready. (Wondering what to bring to your bridal suite? Check out this helpful guide!)

12. WHAT IS YOUR BACKUP PLAN FOR OUTDOOR CEREMONIES?

Here in the Texas Hill Country, summer tends to be the wettest month, but it’s not unusual to have the occasional storm throughout the year. If your wedding venue only offers an outdoor space for wedding ceremonies, you’ll be forced to rearrange your entire day on the fly.

If you’re planning on an outdoor ceremony, make sure your wedding venue has a Plan B in case of inclement weather (and that you like it).

13. ARE THERE ANY DÉCOR RESTRICTIONS?

Depending on the venue, certain decorative items—such as candles, sand, or helium—may not be permitted. If this is the case, it’s a nice idea to find out upfront, so you can take this into account when planning.

14. ARE THERE KITCHEN FACILITIES ONSITE?

Even if a wedding venue doesn’t have an in-house caterer, they may have a full kitchen for caterers to utilize during your event.

You should also ask whether tables, chairs, glassware, and silverware are provided or if you’ll have to rent these from your caterer.

15. CAN WE DO A SPARKLER EXIT?

In the past, it was common to throw rice at weddings as a symbol of prosperity and happiness. Nowadays, couples are getting a little more creative during their grand exits, with things like sparklers, confetti, and pompoms.

Talk to your wedding venue first, though. Not all wedding venues allow these items, whether inside or out.

Ready to Book?

Finding the perfect wedding venue for your big day is a long process that shouldn’t be taken lightly. In fact, we advise all engaged couples to tour at least five venues before making a decision. This gives you the best chance at being confident in your selection without overwhelming you with too many options.

If you’re currently searching for a place to host your best day ever, we hope you’ll consider Kendall Point. Located just minutes from San Antonio in Boerne, our Hill Country wedding venue offers stunning 360° views and all the luxury amenities you need to make your day comfortable, special, and perfect.

Contact us today to schedule your wedding venue tour and ask as many questions as you like.