Wedding Venue Questions To Help You Choose From the Best Wedding Venues in Lake Tahoe

Your wedding day begins with a single, pivotal decision: finding the perfect venue. As your Lake Tahoe wedding planner, Epic Thyme can help guide you through this process from the very beginning. If you hire us before selecting a venue, we’ll help you find a location that perfectly matches your wedding vision, guest count, and budget. We’ll even join you on venue tours and review contracts so you feel confident and comfortable with your choice. Already have a dream venue in mind or started exploring options? No problem! Before you finalize your decision, make sure you’re fully prepared with the right wedding venue questions. To help, we’ve compiled 48 essential questions to ask a wedding venue — be sure to bring them along on your next tour!

48 Questions To Ask a Wedding Venue in Lake Tahoe

Start by envisioning your dream wedding — what type, style, and atmosphere do you want to create? Are you picturing a grand indoor celebration or a cozy outdoor ceremony by the lake? Defining this vision will help you narrow down your options, especially with so many incredible wedding venues in Lake Tahoe to choose from. 

Once you have a clear idea, dive into some online research and schedule tours of the venues that catch your eye. While photos can be stunning, there’s no substitute for seeing a venue in person to ensure it aligns with your needs. And don’t forget — asking the right wedding venue questions is key to finding the perfect fit. Use these essential wedding questions for venues to make sure your choice is everything you’ve dreamed of for your big day!

Wedding Venue Questions About Pricing and Availability

• Is the venue available for my desired date?

• Do you hold multiple events on the same day?

• How many guests can this space hold?

• How far in advance can we book?

• What is your venue rental fee?

• How long can we use this space?

• What is the cost for additional hours?

• Does your venue fee change depending on the month and day (i.e., weekday vs. weekend wedding)?

• What services are included in the rental fee?

• Does the fee cover the ceremony and reception spaces?

• Can we host our rehearsal dinner in the same space? If so, how many hours?

• Does the fee cover service charges, gratuity, and cleaning?

• How much is the deposit?

• What is the payment schedule for the remainder of the fee?

• What are your cancellation and refund policies?

• ​​Are there any rules or restrictions that I have not covered?

These questions to ask a wedding venue in Lake Tahoe help you determine whether the venue's cost aligns with your budget. It’s important to know what’s included in the rental fee and what services come at an extra charge. If you feel comfortable with the answers to these questions, it’s time to dive into more details.

Wedding Venue Questions About Logistics

• Do you have both indoor and outdoor event spaces?

• When I book the venue, what spaces are included?

• How many guests does each space accommodate?

• Is there WiFi and audio/visual equipment available?

• What is the electricity capacity?

• How many outlets are available in the venue space?

• Is free on-site parking available for guests and vendors?

• Is the venue near guest hotels?

• Are there noise restrictions on-site?

• How many restrooms are available to guests?

• Do you provide a dance floor?

• Do you provide complimentary tables, linens, chairs, plates, silverware, and glassware?

• Do you provide complimentary heaters or tents for outdoor spaces?

• What’s your backup plan for outdoor spaces if affected by fires, bees, snow, or other inclement weather?

These questions to ask at wedding venue tours will give you a better understanding of the venue spaces available to you. They’ll also ensure you know what’s included in the venue fee and what services come at additional costs, like parking or bringing in portable restrooms if needed. 

Wedding Venue Questions About Vendors

• Can I hire outside vendors?

• Are there any restrictions on the vendors I can use?

• Can you accommodate a DJ or live band?

• Can I rearrange the space if needed?

• Are there any restrictions on the type of decor allowed in the space?

• Can I have real candles? 

• What time can my vendors start setting up?

• When do my vendors need to be out of the venue?

• Do you provide set-up or tear-down staff? 

• Do you have any production staff who will be on-site during my wedding?

Knowing whether or not you can hire outside vendors is essential when choosing your Lake Tahoe wedding venue. Some venues require you to select vendors from their preferred list, limiting your ability to choose the perfect vendors for your event. While not always a deal-breaker, it’s beneficial to know and share this information with your wedding planner.

Wedding Venue Questions About Food and Drinks

• Do you have in-house catering?

• If so, are food and drinks included in the venue fee?

• If so, do you have a food and drink minimum?

• If not, are there any restrictions on the caterers I can use?

• If I hire an outside caterer, is there an on-site kitchen they can use?

• Can I hire outside drink services?

• Can I bring my own alcohol to the wedding?

• If so, is there a fee to serve outside drinks on the property?

Food and drinks are a central part of your wedding. They can influence your wedding style and impact the guest experience. Knowing whether or not you can hire outside caterers is important. Also, some venues don’t have a liquor license. These questions to ask a wedding venue will help ensure you understand the policies regarding the food and drinks you can serve at your wedding.

Finding the Best Wedding Venues in Lake Tahoe for Your Dream Day

At Epic Thyme, we’ve had the honor of planning hundreds of stunning weddings in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas. With so many incredible venues to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to narrow down your options or even know where to begin. That’s why we’ve created The Ultimate Lake Tahoe Venue Guide, featuring some of our favorite spots to help you kickstart your search.

Whether you already have a venue in mind or are just starting to explore your options, we’d love to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. At Epic Thyme, our full-service wedding planning packages are designed to make the process seamless and stress-free. From helping you ask the right wedding question for venue tours to ensuring no detail is overlooked, we’re with you every step of the way. We’ll guide you through everything — from choosing the perfect venue to working with top-notch vendors and handling all the little details in between.

Ready to find the perfect venue? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you pick the right questions to ask at wedding venue tours, select the best location in Lake Tahoe, and transform it into the wedding you’ve always envisioned.