Venue touring is exciting. It’s often the first “real” step couples take that makes the wedding feel tangible. You’re imagining yourselves walking down aisles, clinking glasses, dancing under lights. But after years of planning weddings, and watching couples tour venues with stars in their eyes. I can tell you this, venue tours are also where a lot of unnecessary stress, confusion, and budget heartbreak begins.
Here’s what we wish every couple knew before stepping foot into a venue for the first time.
#01: A Beautiful Venue Can Still Be the Wrong Venue
This is the hardest truth to accept when you’re venue shopping. A venue can be stunning, Instagram famous, Pinterest worthy, and wildly popular, but it may still not be the right venue for your wedding.
When touring a venue, couples will typically fall in love with the overall aesthetics first, then logistics come second. As a wedding planner, I am always looking beyond the pretty. How does the flow work? Where do guests park? What happens if it rains? How far is the bar from the dance floor?
A venue should support your vision, not fight it. Beautify matters, but functionality matters more.
#02: Your Guest Count is Not a Guess, it’s a Decision
One of the biggest mistakes couples make is touring venues before locking in a realistic guest count. Often our clients when asked that question respond with “Maybe 120, or 150?” The difference between thirty people can completely change which venues actually work for your guest count.
Venues have capacity numbers, but capacity and comfort are two very different things. A space that technically holds 150 may feel cramped once you add a dance floor, band, bar, and tables.
Before touring, sit down and have the sometimes, uncomfortable guest list conversation. You’ll save yourself a lot of emotional whiplash later. And remember, your guest count will be a driving force in your venue selection.
#03: Ask What is Included, Then Ask Again
Couples often hear, “tables and chairs are included,” and move on. As a planner, I slow this way down, because we need details.
What kind of table and chairs are included? How many hours are included? Who sets up the chairs and tables? Are there additional chairs for the ceremony space? Who breaks them down post reception? Are linens required or included?
What seems like a great venue price can balloon once you realize how much you’ll need to rent elsewhere. Or what is included may not be enough or the aesthetic that you’re going for. Always ask for a detailed list of inclusions and don’t assume anything.
#04: The Venue Cost Is Only Part of the Real Price
This one breaks hearts every season. A venue might fit your budget on paper, but the required vendors, rentals, and restrictions push it far beyond what you planned. Some venues require you hire their in-house catering. Others require specific preferred vendors, such as planners, bartenders, or rental companies.
As a planner, I always encourage couples to ask, “What do couples typically spend all-in for a wedding here?” The answer is often far more revealing than the base venue fee once everything is added in.
#05: Rain Plans Are Not Created Equal
Every venue will tell you they have a rain plan. That does not mean the rain plan is one you’ll love. If you’re booking the venue for the outside layout and hate the inside, then perhaps this venue isn’t for you. You’ll need to ask if the backup plan is indoors or under a tent. Does it feel like a downgrade? Does it affect guest comfort, acoustic, or flow? Can you pull off your dream aesthetics still?
I’ve seen couples fall in love with an outdoor ceremony space only to realize the rain option feels like an afterthought. You should be genuinely okay with Plan B, not just tolerating it.
#06: Think About Guest Experience, Not Just Photos
Couples naturally imagine how their wedding will look. Planners imagine how it will feel and be executed.
Is the ceremony far from the reception? Are guests standing for long periods? Is there shade, heat, air conditioning, or cover from wind? Your guests may not remember your exact floral palette, but they will remember if they were uncomfortably hot, cold, or confused about where to go next.
#07: Staff Support Matters More Than You Think
A venue isn’t just a space, it’s a team.
During tours, couples often focus on the property and overlook the people. As a planner, I pay close attention to how venue coordinators communicate. Are they organized? Transparent? Helpful? Flexible? Do they include set up and breakdown on site?
A supportive venue team can make planning smoother and the wedding day calmer. A difficult one can add stress you never saw coming.
#08: Noise Restrictions Can Change the Entire Night
Nothing deflates a dance floor like music being cut early. Ask about noise ordinances, amplification limits, and curfews. An 11 p.m. hard stop might be fine, or it might be a dealbreaker depending on your crowd.
If dancing and partying are important to you, this needs to be part of the conversation before you book.
#09: You Don’t Need to Decide Everything on the Tour
Couples sometimes feel pressure to “know” immediately. And it is okay if you simply don’t. Keep in mind that venue tours are about gathering information, not making instant commitments. It is more than okay to leave, talk things through, compare notes, and sleep on it.
In fact, I often recommend touring your top choices twice, once emotionally, once practically.
#10: Your Planner (If You Have One) Should Be There Early
If you’re working with a planner, bring them in before you book, not after. Wedding planners see red flags couples don’t know to look for. We’ve also worked as planners at a lot of venues in our local area. We ask the unromantic, but essential questions. We understand how venue policies affect your timeline, budget, and vendor options.
Even a consultation before booking can save you from choosing a venue that creates unnecessary challenges down the road.
#11: The Venue Sets the Tone for Everything Else
Your venue influences your budget, decor needs, vendor availability, timeline, and guest experience. It’s not just a backdrop, it’s the foundation of your wedding planning journey.
This is our biggest reason why we wish couples would slow down, ask more questions, and tour with intention instead of urgency. The right venue doesn’t just look good. It feels right. It supports your priorities, fits your guest count, respects your budget, and allows you to actually enjoy your wedding day.
When couples tell me, “Once we found the venue, everything else fell into place,” it’s almost always true, when couples choose wisely.
So before you tour, get clear on what matters most to you. Comfort or drama? Party or intimacy? Flexibility or convenience? And remember, the best venue isn’t the one that impresses everyone on Instagram. It’s the one that lets you show up on your wedding day relaxed, confident, and ready to celebrate.
That’s what I wish every couple knew, before the tours even begin.