Is there anything more thrilling than cruising an Asian wedding venue you know you’ll adore? Not really, which is why it’s so easy to become engrossed in the space’s beauty and forget the logistical questions you must ask.
There’s a lot more to talk about than just the price. Is the venue equipped with tables and chairs for your ceremony and reception, or must you bring your own? Is there a backup plan in case of bad weather, or does the couple have to make that decision themselves? Who will be on hand on the big day to ensure everything runs smoothly? There are also less glamorous questions to ask, such as how the restrooms look and whether they can facilitate your desired number of guests.
Our experts have compiled a list of points you should bring up at each venue visit to ensure you ask every critical question. Then you’ll be able to make an educated decision.
General Asian Wedding Venue Concerns
It is a good idea to begin asking questions before visiting a venue.
Some general questions are best asked during a visit, such as specific questions about external suppliers and accommodation-related questions that can be answered simply by seeing the room or suites in person.
Remember, even if you’ve been to a location three times, you can still call and ask questions!
Ceremony Concerns
The Asian wedding day is divided into several sections, including the ceremony (when you are officially married!). As a result, obtaining as much information as possible from the venue about what is permitted during this crucial part of your day is critical.
To make the ceremony space your own, you may need permission to decorate it, including flower arrangements, seat covers, a carpet or runner, candles, lighting, and other visual accessories.
This is when your photographer will take some of the most candid shots, so if you have an idea of how you want the space to look when you look through your photo albums, it is worth asking these questions right from the start to ensure that you can achieve your fairytale!
Is it permissible to throw confetti? You and your photographer will want to know this ahead of time. Most venues will ask that you only use biodegradable confetti where permitted.
Finding out how flexible the venue is about the timing of your ceremony could be a deal-breaker, especially if you want to go against the grain and get married at dusk, for example.
Questions for the Asian Wedding Breakfast
When visiting your venue, the main food-related questions to remember are: ‘What are the menu options?’ and ‘Do you cater to dietary restrictions?’ Most catering venues will offer vegetarian and vegan options, but it may be necessary to specify if you have any additional dietary requirements that must be met.
Aside from food, there are some other questions to ask about the wedding breakfast that you may have yet to consider. Do you know the table shapes and sizes and the maximum number of guests seated at one table? This will directly impact your seating plan, so ask about it before booking, along with whether crockery and linen are included in the price, as this will affect your budget.
Questions for the Reception
Wedding receptions can be memorable, but you must determine whether a live band can perform at your reception. You will also need to know how late the venue is legally allowed to stay open for guests, as your band or DJ will require this information.
Timings are frequently printed on Asian wedding invitations, so this is a question to ask early in the booking process (while you have the option of saying ‘8 ’til late’ or something similar on your invites, guests who aren’t staying at the venue may need to plan their return journey and will be appreciative for a note re Carriages.)
Concerns about Facilities
Do you expect any elderly or disabled guests to attend your wedding? If this is the case, you will most likely want to know about disabled access and any restrictions on your first visit to the venue. Some old buildings are ideal for a romantic wedding but may not be wheelchair accessible due to stairs or uneven ground.
If guests have babies or children, find out if changing stations are available.
When you visit your venue, it’s always a good idea to check out the toilet situation in general, as you may be disappointed on the day if there are only two toilets for 100+ guests!
Pricing and Payment Issues
And now for the most critical questions of all: those concerning money!
It’s too easy to get caught up in Asian wedding planning and forget to ask some of the most critical questions. For example, one of the couple most common financial mistakes is failing to check if VAT is included in the price, which can result in more of their budget being consumed and the need to cut spending in other areas. After all, you can’t back out once you’ve made a reservation and accepted the terms and conditions. Is there one?
Checking the venue’s cancellation policy is always a good idea because even if you never intend to cancel your wedding, you cannot predict what will happen!
Other monetary inquiries include, ‘Do you accept cash payments?’ , ‘Can others make payment on our behalf? (For security reasons, some businesses will only accept payments from the people named on the booking), ‘Do you accept credit cards?’ and so on.
Finally, each venue will have rules regarding when payments must be received. For example, most will require a non-refundable deposit upon booking and may require a full charge during the Asian wedding. However, you can inquire with the venue if you prefer to pay in installments.
We hope these questions helped direct you to the appropriate venue.
