Booking a venue for our wedding is an exciting, momentous event! There are, however, a few things you should check with the said venue before signing on the dotted line! Bianca from Victoria Park in Brisbane has given us a quick rundown of some very important questions you should ask your venue before booking it! 

Image: Pelizzari Photography & Film

Question One

Do you have a wet weather plan in place for outdoor ceremonies/receptions?

This one is self-explanatory but, in the heat of the moment, it can be easily forgotten. You might love the idea of having your wedding outdoors but you’re worried the weather won’t play ball on your big day! Checking to see if your venue has wet weather options is a must for anyone considering booking their wedding venue. For example, Victoria Park have you covered with wet weather plans in place for all outdoor ceremonies. If rain is forecast for the day the team will ensure to move your ceremony into one of our available function rooms! And so many venues have the same option for their couples.

Question Two

Are there any restrictions in place for styling/decorating the venue?

There really would be not much worse than booking the perfect venue only to find out there are strict limitations on the styling elements for your wedding. Not to mention limits on who you can bring in to create your dream wedding! Some venues have in-house stylists and decor they prefer to use, so this is an essential question to go over before you lock things in. This also might work well for you, as some of the styling and decor items they have will work perfectly for your day, so it will be good to know in advance that this is one less thing to plan for.

Image: Chris Jack Photography

Question Three

What can our guests do between the ceremony and reception?

Not that it is the obligation of a venue to have activities or a place for guests to mingle in between the ceremony and reception, but it is actually a great idea to check with them first. There’s a chance they have areas set up just for this and create a perfect spot for your guests to enjoy the time in between, or the venue team might be able to suggest alternatives for you to consider.

Question Four

Are we allowed to hire the venue later into the evening? Are there noise restrictions at these times?

A super important one for those couples wanting to dance into the wee hours of the morning after! Or who know their guests are ones to party, party, party! A lot of venues only allow for your wedding reception to last until around midnight, but it can’t hurt to find out if this is extendable at all. Some might be able to push this to 1am or 2am with an extra fee. This is a great idea for those not wanting to rush off after an incredible day!

Question Five

Where can we take photos on-site?

This is so useful to know in advance for planning the itinerary of your day. If a venue has some incredible locations to shoot your wedding portraits on-site, then this saves so much time and effort for you, your wedding party, and the photographer, AND it means you can get back to your guests a lot quicker. And who doesn’t want to hit the catering you’ve been lusting over since you booked them sooner?! The sites may not suit the type of photos you want, but it’s a great plan to have in place and ticks another thing off the very… very long planning list! A venue like Victoria Park offers several amazing photo locations around the complex, featuring beautiful ancient trees and city skyline views.

Image: Evernew Studio

Question Six

Can we have a ceremony rehearsal before the big day? 

It’s a great idea to be prepared for the big day, especially if you have a wedding party and others involved in your ceremony. Be sure to ask your venue if having a ceremony rehearsal is something they are happy to offer, and what the logistics are for coming in before the actual event to do a run-through!

Image: Evernew Studio

About Victoria Park: Victoria Park is proud to have been twice named “Brisbane Wedding Venue of the Year” 2019 & 2020 in the LUXLife Global Wedding Awards Program. Stunning gardens with a parkland ambiance, ancient trees, and a large golf course with city views are all part of the package when you get married at Victoria Park. All our wedding reception venues feature private bars and exclusive outdoor decks providing the best unique city views, perfect to entertain your loved ones.

Header Image by Moments by Frankie Photography