Once you’ve narrowed down your wedding venue shortlist, it’s time to take the tour! Physically seeing your possible wedding venues is an essential part of the decision making process. You need to get a feel for the atmosphere of each venue. Only by delving into the details can you select the right place to play host to the happiest day of your life.

But what should you be looking out for during your wedding venue tour? Here’s a handy guide to the top five things to consider when staking out potential wedding venues.

Have questions ready

As the old saying goes – fail to prepare, prepare to fail. You may have a thousand questions floating around in your head beforehand, only to go completely blank once you turn up at the venue. So write them all down!

Start by finding out if the venue has an outdoor space. If so, check whether there’s a tent in case of rain. Contingency plans are a must, so consider whether the venue has them in place. If you’re planning a winter wedding, find out if there’s a cloakroom for coats and umbrellas. And ask about entertainment – whether the venue has its own PA system, piano, entertainment space etc.

Take photos

Seeing each venue is a great way to get a feel for the space. But unless you’ve got a photographic memory, you’ll need to take photos. It’s a great idea to get your photographer involved at this point. In fact, there is a good chance that your photographer already has some photos of the venues. Having a catalogue of pictures from each venue will help with planning and visualising your wedding.

Talk numbers

After visiting a potential wedding venue, you may fall in love at first sight. But it’s essential to get into the nitty-gritty and figure out whether it’s practical and possible to hold your wedding there.

Your budget should always be at the forefront of your mind. Find out the venue’s capacity and overall cost, ask about payment plans and deposits, and don’t forget to dig for hidden charges. You’d be surprised how many couples get stung by venues later down the line. And of course, talk availability.

Make notes

You can ask all the questions in the world but, if you don’t make a note of the flood of information coming your way, chances are it’ll be about as much use as a hog roast at a vegan wedding.

Whether you’re a tech-head tapping away at a tablet or you prefer an old-fashioned pen and paper, make a note of every little detail. It’ll help to thread the pieces of information together, from practical points to personal feelings so that you can make your final decision.

Trust your instinct

Ultimately though, it all comes down to your gut instinct. You and your partner will have discussed at length what it is you’re looking for in your perfect wedding day venue. Once you’ve seen the options, it all comes down to that warm and fuzzy feeling that came when you first stepped inside. When you know, you just know.