Red Flags To Watch Out for When Choosing a Venue!

Your wedding is a celebration that will keep a very special memory in your life, one shared with your closest family and friends, and you’re at that point in your planning journey of finding the perfect spot that ticks all the right boxes.  So, it’s a complete bummer when any newlyweds are less-than-happy about their venue choice.

Let’s see how to spot any red flags that might turn your dream day into a logistical nightmare, and what to do about them for a smoother and more efficient planning process.

Poor Communication

First things first, you’ve spotted a gorgeous venue that ticks off all of your boxes and you reach out to learn more about the dreamy location and ultimately schedule a tour. That’s how it starts, no?  And now you wait, and wait.. and nothing comes back to that inbox of yours.

Although you might not mind a short delay in response, no or very delayed responses might be indicative of a larger issue. Think about it, if the venue event manager is too slow to reply to basic inquiries, imagine the rate they’d likely be handling any issues as they arise.  Wedding planning is stressful as it is and you don’t need to feel as you’re not being prioritized by your vendors to make it any worse!

Of course, this doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker, if you’re not satisfied with their communication but have your heart set on the venue, then you can always schedule a call with the on-site coordinator to manage expectations.

Tons of Added Costs

The truth of the matter is that the price tag on a venue isn’t what you’ll end up paying—there will most definitely be additional costs. But if the venue says they’re going to charge for things like access to bathrooms or the parking lot, you can bet they’ll tack on some unexpected costs. Talk about a budget killer.

Overly Complicated Contracts

Don’t get us wrong—your venue contract should be comprehensive, and it’ll likely be several pages long. But there’s a huge difference between comprehensive and complicated. Keep an eye out for weird clauses that confuse you and details lacking specifics. Especially watch out for parts of the contract that forbid you from writing negative reviews online—it also means couples who married there before you couldn’t necessarily post their honest opinions.

Bad Reviews

First thing you’ll be bund to do when you’re interested in a venue is check it’s online rating (or word of mouth really). It’s always smarter to hear from real couples about their first hand experience rather than just rely on the venue’s reps as it’s their job to make the venue seem like it’s an absolute dream. Although one negative review might be coming from an angry person or isn’t totally objective, when the number of disappointed customers is more than you’d like to see, this should tell you that the red on that flag is bright and you should take note!

Second step is to take note of the venue reps team’s attitude during your interactions, and don’t just rely on just online reviews. Follow your own intuition throughout the process of filtering out possible locations, your expectations and needs might not be aligned with whoever wrote those reviews.

Limited Setup Time

Setting up a venue takes time, from laying down the dance floor to hanging up signage to getting your florals just right. When you’re selecting a venue, be sure to ask the coordinator how much prep time your vendors will have. After all, you didn’t go through the trouble of planning the perfect day only to have to scramble through the last step of the execution.

A rushed execution reflects poorly on the entire team and that’s when mistakes happen, so if you’re told your vendors have only a window of two hours say, that should light up some red signs for you.

If your bridal suite is within the venue, it’s important to consider enough time for all the hair and make-up for yourself as well as the rest of the bridal party.

No Backup Plan

The COVID-19 pandemic might be top-of-mind, but it’s not the only thing that can cramp your nuptials. It can, for instance, literally rain all over your parade, especially of you’re eyeing an outdoor celebration during –in between- weather. If you’re browsing outdoor venues, ask the venue about alternative setups. They must have at least a tenting option, if not a secondary space they can -on the spot- relocate the wedding to.

They Don’t Do Many Weddings

While venues that host non-wedding events can still make for great wedding venues, nuptials are just different than charity auctions and business meetings. A venue that’s not used to big parties could be totally caught off guard by a wedding. Make sure they understand what a wedding entails and have a sufficient amount of experience to pull off your day.

How to Handle a Red Flag

As frustrating as it might be spotting a red flag in your venue—especially when the location is otherwise perfect, said red flag doesn’t necessarily have to be a deal breaker; instead you can look at it as a chance that offers some room to negotiate for extra perks like a free room night, a room upgrade, or more comp valet parking, for example. As long as you make your concerns clear and communicate your expectations early.

To prevent a red flag become a deal breaker, couples need to discuss their event plans in detail and upfront with the venue so all parties are on the same page—and you can focus on planning a  truly special day.