Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Wedding Venue

Image Credit: Vanessa Bryson Photogaphy

Finding your wedding venue is one of those planning moments that makes everything suddenly feel very real. You can start imagining where you’ll say “I do”, where your guests will gather for drinks and, of course, where everyone will be dancing by the end of the night.

But alongside finding somewhere you love, there are plenty of practical things to consider too. When you first walk into a venue and get that special feeling, it can be easy to get swept away and forget some of the questions you wanted to ask.

At Larkspur Lodge, we regularly show couples around our Knutsford wedding venue, so we know just how much there is to take in during that first visit. From exclusive use and catering to timings and ceremony options, understanding exactly what a venue offers will make it much easier to decide whether it’s right for you.

Here are some of the questions we think are worth asking before you book.

Will we have exclusive use of the venue?

This is an important one, and something that differs between wedding venues.

So, it’s advisable to ask whether your wedding will be the only celebration taking place that day and whether any areas of the venue remain open to other guests or members of the public.

For some couples, sharing a venue isn't a concern. For others, having complete privacy is a high priority. Exclusive hire means you don't need to worry about crossing paths with another wedding party or sharing spaces with hotel guests. It can make the celebration feel that little bit more personal.

Larkspur Lodge is an exclusive hire venue, meaning the space is all yours for your celebration.

Can we have our ceremony here too?

If you’d prefer to hold your ceremony and reception in one place, check that your venue is licensed for civil ceremonies and ask which spaces are available.

Having everything in one location can make the day much simpler. Once your guests have arrived, they can settle in and enjoy themselves without needing to think about transport or where they need to go next.

Of course, you may have always imagined a church wedding. If so, ask whether there are churches nearby and how easily guests can travel between the two locations.

At Larkspur Lodge, The Old Cinema Room is fully licensed for civil ceremonies and seats up to 150 guests. In the warmer months, there’s also the option of an outdoor ceremony in the garden. And, if you’re opting for a church ceremony, there are several churches and chapels within minutes of our venue.

How many guests can the venue accommodate?

Before falling completely in love with a venue, make sure it works for the number of people you’d like to invite.

Ask about both daytime and evening capacities, as these can differ. You might be planning a smaller ceremony and wedding breakfast before inviting additional friends and family for the evening.

It's also worth considering how the space will feel with your guest numbers. If you're planning a more intimate wedding, will the room still feel welcoming? Equally, if you have a larger guest list, will everyone have enough space to enjoy themselves comfortably?

Our Lodge Room accommodates up to 150 seated day guests, increasing to 180 for the evening reception.

What's actually included in the price?

Wedding venue pricing can vary considerably, so make sure you're comparing like for like.

Ask exactly what your venue hire includes and whether there are additional costs you should know about from the beginning. Are there extra fees attached to certain ceremony spaces, furniture, staffing or use of preparation areas, for example?

Having a clear understanding early on will make budgeting much easier and help avoid surprises further into your planning.

What are the catering options?

Food is such an important part of a wedding day, so don't leave this question until later.

Find out whether the venue has an in-house or exclusive caterer, whether you can see sample menus and how much flexibility you have when choosing what you'd like to serve. Most importantly, think about whether the food sounds like something you’d genuinely enjoy.

At Larkspur Lodge, we work with our exclusive catering partners, Fork and Field Catering. Their team offers a range of menus and can work with you to create bespoke options that reflect your tastes, making food another personal part of your celebration.

Is there somewhere to get ready?

Your wedding morning is part of the experience too, so explore whether there's somewhere at the venue for you and your wedding party to get ready.

Having a dedicated space on site can make the morning much easier. Instead of travelling once you're dressed and ready, you can settle in, enjoy the preparations and know you're already exactly where you need to be.

At Larkspur Lodge, we have a spacious preparation room with beauty stations, plenty of seating and lots of natural light.

What happens if the weather changes?

If you're dreaming of an outdoor ceremony or drinks in the garden, we'd always recommend asking about the alternative.

We all know how unpredictable the British weather can be, and having a plan you're equally happy with means you don't need to spend the days before your wedding constantly refreshing the forecast.

So, find out where your ceremony would take place if it rains and where guests can enjoy the drinks reception if heading outside isn't possible. Ideally, you should love the indoor options just as much as the outdoor ones.

Are there plenty of places for photographs?

Your wedding photographs will capture moments you'll look back on for years, so take notice of the surroundings when visiting venues.

Are there gardens or countryside views? Do the interiors have character? Is there plenty of natural light? And importantly, are there beautiful indoor options if the weather doesn't cooperate?

At Larkspur Lodge, our red brick walls, original timber trusses, barn-style windows, gardens and surrounding Cheshire countryside provide plenty of different settings for photographs throughout the day.

Is there accommodation nearby?

Even if you're not planning to stay at your venue, think about where your guests will be staying.

Talk to the venue team about nearby hotels and B&Bs, particularly if friends and family will be travelling from further afield. It's also worth checking transport links and parking so you can give guests plenty of information beforehand.

What time does the celebration finish?

This might not be the most exciting question you'll ask during your viewing, but it's an important one.

Check when music needs to finish, when the bar closes and what time guests need to leave. Knowing this beforehand will also help when you're booking your band or DJ and planning the evening.

What support will we have when planning?

Finally, ask who you'll be dealing with once you've booked.

Wedding planning comes with plenty of questions, and having a venue team you feel comfortable speaking to can make such a difference. So, you should explore what support is available in the lead-up to your wedding and who’ll be there on the day itself.

This is also where trusting your instincts matters. You should leave a viewing feeling that your questions have been listened to and that you'd feel comfortable putting such an important day in the team's hands.

At Larkspur Lodge, we support our couples throughout the planning process and help everything come together on the day, leaving you free to enjoy the celebration.

Finding the venue that feels right

There are lots of practical questions to ask before booking your wedding venue, but don't forget about the one that's much harder to put on a checklist: how does it make you feel?

You can find a venue that meets every practical requirement, but you should also be able to imagine yourselves getting married there. Picture your guests arriving, your tables dressed for the wedding breakfast and everyone coming together for the evening celebrations. If you're already imagining those moments as you walk around, you may have found somewhere special.

If you're currently looking for a wedding venue in Knutsford or considering getting married in the Cheshire countryside, we'd love to welcome you to Larkspur Lodge and answer your questions in person.

Download our brochure to find out more, or book a viewing and come and see Larkspur Lodge for yourselves.

‍