10 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venue, with Answers
The love of your life just popped THE question, and now the fun of venue-hunting can begin! It’s easy to get swept up in the magic of it all—
- At which picturesque location should we recite our vows?
- Should I opt for a rustic style or more modern and bright?
- Formal dinner or casual cocktails and stations?
Not to rain on your (wedding) parade, but given the current environment in which we live, there are 10 Must Ask questions you don’t want to gloss over:
1. What are your sanitation practices?
It looks clean, but how do you know your wedding venue is clean? Ask what sort of products the venue uses, how often, and what proactive measures they take. Keep your guests and yourselves safe amid COVID-19 by selecting a venue that will provide detailed information as to their practices. Normandy Farm and The Belle have a Coronavirus Prevention Program to maintain cleanliness for each and every event.
2. What is the deposit, and is it refundable?
Venues take your date off the market sometimes years in advance. Most-often, the deposit will be a few thousand dollars or a percent of your contract and is typically non-refundable, so make sure you are confident in your decision before you book!
3. What is the cancelation policy?
While it’s always important to understand what happens if you need to cancel, it’s even more crucial now during this COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll want to know your full options, whether you want to reschedule or outright cancel. Most places will be accommodating to a number of options to reschedule, but try to keep an open mind that dates book far in advance, so flexibility to another day of week or season may be necessary.
4. Is the payment schedule flexible?
Most venues have a standard payment schedule, but if you get a bonus or your tax return is upcoming, inquire about modifications—most places will understand and work with you!
5. Is there a minimum guest count?
There are two standard structures in place at venues: minimum guest counts and food and beverage minimums. When a venue operates based on minimum guest count, you pay the same total dollar figure regardless of whether you have less guests (and you don’t get anything extra). With a food and beverage minimum, such as Normandy Farm and The Belle have, you have the flexibility to choose the space that you like best and that works with your overall budget. The best part of this structure? If you have a more intimate list, you can add food and bar upgrades to reach the total, offering more lavish options to wow your guests!
6. Do I need wedding insurance?
Like trip insurance, it’s one of those things that you may find to be an unnecessary expense. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve learned that paying a little extra for peace of mind is worth it in the long-run!
7. Are different days and months priced differently?
When you’re on a budget, you want to make sure you explore your options. You may have always envisioned a “traditional” Saturday night wedding, but the venue you love is going to break the bank! So get creative! Afternoon/daytime weddings, Sundays, and Thursday nights allow you to save and not compromise on the venue of your dreams. Normandy Farm and The Belle even have special packages specifically designed for these times to keep you within your financial comfort zone.
8. I don’t want to travel to multiple locations—can I host all of my events onsite?
It makes for a much more enjoyable time when you can arrive at the venue without having to worry about transportation and logistics. Why not choose a venue with onsite accommodations? With a restaurant for your rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch, a late-night bar to keep the party going, and 141 rooms and suites to stay the night, Normandy Farm Hotel provides for a full wedding weekend!
9. Can I hire my own vendors or is there an exclusive list from which I need to choose?
If you have your heart set on the photographer who shot your sister’s wedding, make sure you know if the venue has an exclusive partnership before you book.
10. How do I learn more about hosting my wedding at Normandy Farm or The Belle?
Click here to submit an inquiry to Brandi Eaton and Brianne Sheahan. They will send you detailed package information and pricing to get you started!
Located just 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia and situated in the heart of Blue Bell, Pa.,Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center is more than a meticulously restored American landmark—it's a fully wired, high-tech hospitality venue. Relax on our grand terrace, sip a cocktail in America's oldest silo, play a challenging game of golf on our championship course, plan an event with us or dine on our delectable farm-to-table cuisine. It all adds up to One Historic Experience.
