Have you ever read an article that lists or explores “36 Questions to Fall in Love?” It’s a highly popular, enduring topic based on the idea that a strategic list of questions can accelerate intimacy between two strangers or strengthen bonds in an existing relationship.
This theory got its start in 1997 when psychologist Arthur Aron wrote his “36 Questions to Fall in Love” study. If you want to give it a try, the questions and instructions are available online. The questions are all conversation starters, from describing one’s most treasured memory (and even a terrible memory and embarrassing moment) to sharing one’s life story.
We’ve been thinking that if the right questions can, at least in theory, lead to love between two people, why not use strategic questions to help grow another important relationship? We’re talking, of course, about getting to know your prospective wedding venue and selecting the business that will deliver one of the most important days of your life.
So, based on that idea — and some inspiration from our company’s name — we developed 34 Questions to Fall in Love (with your venue). The questions are for you and your partner to ask yourselves, your planner, other wedding-industry representatives, and the venues you’re considering.
Our questions aren’t quite as thought-provoking as “What roles do love and affection play in your life” or “What is your most treasured memory?”
But in the end, you might just “find the one” when it comes to venues.
Here are our questions.
For You and Your Partner
1. What’s our budget for a venue?
2. What amenities are important to us?
3. What geographical area do we want the wedding to take place in?
4. Do we want to get married in an urban setting or a rural one?
5. Do we want to get married outdoors?
6. What kind of atmosphere do we want?
7. Do we want a venue where we can have both our ceremony and our reception?
8. Is wheelchair accessibility a priority?
9. Do we want a venue that will help us with planning?
10. Do we want a venue that provides food service, or a site that will allow an outside catering service to provide food and beverages?
11. Are outdoor surroundings (gardens, scenic surroundings) important to us?
12. Do we need a venue that can accommodate exceptionally large (or small) events?
After tackling these questions, you’ll be ready to begin your research and identify possible candidates.
Once you have a strong candidate or two in mind, talk to other people in the wedding industry about your prospective choices.
Questions to Ask Your Planner and Other Industry Professionals
13. Have you worked with this venue (these venues)?
14. What did you like about working with them?
15. What kinds of challenges, if any, arose, when you worked with them?
16. Would you recommend them?
17. Is there anything we should know about this venue (these venues)?
18. If you haven’t worked with this venue, have you heard anything about it from clients or colleagues?
See if the places you’re considering are available when you’ll need them.
We also recommend checking customer reviews and touring the location(s) you’re interested in. Then you can ask the questions below—and any others that come to mind.
Questions to Ask Prospective Venues
19. How many guests can you accommodate?
20. Can we have our rehearsal here? If so, how much time is available?
21. What is your guest-to-staff ratio?
22. What are your policies on food, beverages, and alcohol?
23. What other rules should we know about?
24. How long have you been in business?
24. Can you provide references?
25. What kind of parking arrangements and capacity do you offer?
26. Tell me about your insurance?
27. What are your contingency plans for extreme weather during outdoor events?
28. Please go over every charge and fee we should expect and what they cover.
29. Tell us about your deposit and payment requirements.
30. Who would our contact be if we worked with you?
31. When is our contact available for calls or questions?
32. How do you handle changes in guest counts and other key event elements?
33. How accessible is your venue for people with disabilities?
34. Please tell us about your changing areas for the bride, groom, and wedding parties.