At Gramercy Mansion, we’ve welcomed hundreds of couples through our doors, and we know just how important that first venue tour can be. Asking the right questions during your visit can make all the difference in choosing a space that fits your vision, your budget, and your wedding daydreams.
To help you feel confident and prepared, we’ve put together a list of the top questions to ask when touring potential venues plus a few tips from our team here at the mansion.
1. What Dates Do You Have Available Around Our Preferred Time?
Instead of asking if one specific date is available, try asking what options are open around the timeframe you’re considering. Flexibility can open up beautiful dates you hadn’t thought of.
At Gramercy Mansion, we’ll work with you to find a date that fits your vision, even if your first choice isn’t available. You might even fall in love with a new idea!
2. How Many Guests Can the Space Comfortably Hold?
Whether you’re envisioning an intimate garden ceremony or a lively reception with 150 guests, ask about capacity. It’s not just about how many people the space can hold—but how many it holds comfortably for dinner, dancing, and a good flow.
3. What’s Included in the Rental Fee?
Every venue structure pricing differently. At Gramercy Mansion, we include tables, chairs, setup and breakdown time, but that’s not the case everywhere. Ask about what’s included and what’s extra, from linens and lighting to staffing and décor.
4. Are There Any Additional Fees?
No one likes surprises especially on your wedding invoice. Ask about overtime fees, security deposits, cleaning fees, and service charges so you can build an accurate budget from the start.
5. How Long Do We Have Access to the Venue?
Some venues offer all-day access; others only provide a few hours for setup, ceremony, and teardown. At Gramercy Mansion, couples typically have access for 7 hours, but packages may vary. Clarify how early you and your vendors can arrive and how late the celebration can go.
6. Can We Bring Our Own Vendors?
Ask whether you’re required to use the venue’s preferred caterers, DJs, florists, etc., or if you’re free to bring in your own. At Gramercy, we offer flexibility: you can choose from our trusted list or bring your favorites (with a few guidelines in place). However, we do have a list of set of caterers do must work with for food and bar packages.
7. Is There a Kitchen On-Site for Catering?
For Gramercy we do have an onsite kitchen for our caterers to utilize if need be. At other venues, if you’re bringing in outside caterers, this one’s important. A venue with a prep kitchen makes things much easier for your culinary team and ensures food is served fresh and on time.
8. What’s the Alcohol Policy?
Some venues require you to purchase alcohol through them; others allow you to bring your own. At Gramercy, your alcohol and bar tenders must be served and provided by the caterer you have chosen from our list.
9. What Are the Décor Restrictions?
Before you start shopping for candles or string lights, ask about decorating rules. Can you hang things from the walls or ceilings? Are open flames allowed? How early can you start decorating? Every venue has its own policies.
10. Is There a Rain Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies?
If your dream wedding involves a garden ceremony or outdoor cocktail hour (like ours!), always ask what happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate. A solid backup plan will ease stress and ensure your day is beautiful, rain or shine.
11. Do You Have a Day-of Coordinator?
Some venues provide a coordinator to help manage logistics on the big day.
12. Are There Guest Accommodations On-Site?
If your venue also offers overnight lodging, like our historic bed and breakfast suites, it can be a huge perk. Especially for out-of-town guests or newlyweds who want to stay onsite after the celebration.
13. Do You Host More Than One Event at a Time?
Some venues may book multiple weddings on the same day. If privacy or exclusivity is important to you, ask how the schedule works and whether you’ll have the space to yourselves.
Bonus Tip: Take Notes!
Venue tours go quickly, and they can start to blur together. Bring a notebook, or jot things down in your phone as you go. Having all your answers in one place will make comparing venues much easier.
Touring Gramercy Mansion?
We’d love to welcome you for a tour and walk you through everything we offer—lush gardens, a historic estate, elegant reception spaces, and luxurious overnight accommodations. We know how special your wedding day is, and our team is here to help make it unforgettable.
Ready to start planning?
Contact us today to schedule your personal tour of Gramercy Mansion.