10 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Venue Before Booking

Finding a beautiful venue is only the first step — the real work is knowing the right questions to ask before you sign anything. Whether you're booking a venue in Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg or anywhere across Africa, these 10 questions will help you avoid nasty surprises and make a truly informed decision.

1. WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE HIRE FEE?

Some venues include tables, chairs, basic lighting and a sound system. Others charge extra for everything. Get a complete list of what's included before comparing prices — a "cheap" venue can become expensive fast when you add up extras.

2. WHAT IS YOUR CAPACITY?

Ask for both the maximum seated capacity and a comfortable capacity. A venue that fits 300 at maximum may only comfortably fit 200 for a seated dinner with a dance floor. Always err on the side of comfort.

3. DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP POWER SUPPLY?

Across Africa, power outages are a reality. Ask whether the venue has a reliable generator, how quickly it kicks in after an outage, and whether it powers the air conditioning, lighting and sound system fully. This is non-negotiable.

4. WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY?

Life happens — illness, family emergencies, delays. Understand exactly what happens to your deposit if you need to postpone or cancel. Get this in writing in your contract.

5. ARE YOU AVAILABLE ON MY DATE?

Obvious, but also ask: will any other events be running at the venue on the same day? Some venues run multiple events simultaneously — which can cause noise, parking and staff issues.

6. WHAT PARKING IS AVAILABLE?

Parking is one of the most common complaints in African wedding venue reviews. Ask for exact parking numbers, whether there's security, and whether nearby street parking is safe and available.

7. CAN I BRING MY OWN CATERER/VENDORS?

Some venues insist on in-house catering or have a preferred vendor list. If you have specific vendors in mind, confirm this upfront. Venues that insist on in-house catering aren't necessarily bad — but their food quality and pricing should be assessed carefully.

8. WHAT TIME DOES THE MUSIC HAVE TO STOP?

Many venues in residential areas have noise curfews (often 10pm or 11pm). If you want a late-night reception, confirm this upfront. Some otherwise perfect venues have killed the vibe with an early music cutoff.

9. ARE THERE DRESSING/BRIDAL ROOMS?

Ask whether a private room is available for the bridal party to prepare and change. Many top Accra and Joburg venues have dedicated bridal suites — a major convenience on the day.

10. CAN I VISIT ON AN EVENT DAY?

Ask to visit the venue during an actual event to see how it looks when set up, how staff perform under pressure and how parking and flow actually work. Most venues will accommodate this if asked politely.