5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Wedding Venue

Picking out your wedding venue for your big day is typically one of the first things that you do. When it comes to planning your wedding, your venue is a big decision, but how do you know you’re choosing the “right” one?

Chances are you haven’t had to pick out a wedding venue before, and if you have, you know how stressful it can sometimes be! Luckily, professionals in the wedding industry have done this hundreds of times and know exactly what you may or may not need.

Being a wedding venue ourselves, Melhorn Manor has heard a fair share of questions, comments, and concerns. To help out any future wedding planning couples, we’ve put together this list of important questions you should ask your wedding venue before you book them.

What Does the Price Include?

In a previous blog post, we talked about the importance of creating a budget for your wedding. Within that budget, you likely left room for your wedding venue, so you want to make sure you get the most “bang for your buck.”

Most wedding venues likely have packages that include specific details. For example, here at Melhorn, our wedding venue packages are all-inclusive. Depending on the time of year and day you have your wedding, prices vary, but the services don’t. You get exclusive use of the entire property, which includes all of our barns, the grounds, two spacious bridal suites, gazebos, and more. We also provide the setup of tables and chairs at no additional charge!

Just make sure that you ask for all of the details from your future wedding venue. That way, you won’t be hit with any surprise fees for cleanup or other services.

Will There Be Other Weddings the Same Day?

Nothing puts a damper on the mood of your wedding, like having your guests arrive at your venue while another wedding is finishing up. A lot of venues boast that there won’t be any crossover for events, but why even chance it?

When you have a wedding venue booked for the entire day, you’ll know that the venue is focused on you and your guests for the whole day. There won’t be any delivery mix-ups or time constraints, giving you time to relax and just enjoy your day for what it is!

Can You Bring Your Own Food or Cake?

Believe it or not, there are a lot of wedding venues that require you to purchase one of their own catering service options. Some venues won’t allow you to bring your own food, choose your own caterer, or even bring your own cake!

If none of this is a big deal to you, then you may not have to worry about this section. But if you want your day to be exactly how you envision it, make sure you talk to your venue about any specific food requirements they may have.

At Melhorn Manor, we a list of twelve exclusive caterers from which our couples may choose. We know that delicious food, professional service, and full-service cleanup are essential catering aspects that are necessary for your special day. Check out the Catering tab on our website to see the wide variety of caterers on our exclusive list ranging in price from $32 per person to $100+ per person. All catering prices include full-length linens and all real china for optimal guest experience.

Is There Convenient Wedding Venue Parking?

Parking and transportation are often overlooked aspects of every wedding day. However, they are critical to your guests’ experience, especially if your ceremony is in a different location than your reception. Traffic and parking in the Lancaster area can be challenging on average days, let alone on one of the most important days of your life. You’ll want to make sure you have these logistics all figured out with your venue beforehand.

Luckily, Melhorn Manor has its own private parking lot exclusively for you and your guests. We have over 150 paved parking spots, as well as easily accessible handicap parking for anyone that needs it. And even if your ceremony is off-site, you can rest assured knowing your guests will have a place to park when they arrive at our wedding venue. Friendly parking attendants will be standing outside as your guests arrive welcoming them with a smile and directing them where to park and enter for your ceremony or cocktail hour.

What Are the Details for Cancellations?

Cancellations are never something brides or grooms want to think about. Most of the time, it’s never a happy occasion, but sometimes a necessity.

For example, no one could predict all of the event and venue shutdowns that would happen due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, a lot of couples across the country either lost money due to the unforeseen cancellations or had to completely move their wedding date. Melhorn was lucky to be blessed with only postponements for all of our couples, but we know others were not as lucky.

Take the time to read the fine print of your wedding venue’s contract. It’s likely that if you cancel the event, you won’t be able to get your deposit back. Always try to work with your venue to smooth out the details in case any emergencies come up.

Melhorn Manor is Here for You

Regardless of how your big day turns out, Melhorn Manor will be here for you every step of the way. From perfecting the fine details of wedding planning to helping you manage your stress on the big day, our team is ready to work with you.

If you have a list of questions you need the answers to, reach out to us! We’re experienced wedding professionals with the answers you seek.