Top 8 Questions to Ask When Booking a Venue for a Party

It seems we’re through the worst of the Coronavirus pandemic. There’s a lot to be thankful for, and one of them is that we can finally host and attend big parties again. This is so exciting! Whether you’ve had a party you’ve been putting off for the last two years or the reason to gather is new, you can finally look for the right location without fear of regulations and mandates ruining the event. 

That being said, Reno is full of places that claim to be a good party locale. How will you know which to select? You will feel a lot more confident in your decision if you ask the right questions beforehand. Here are a few questions to ask when booking a venue for a party, according to industry insiders.

The Best Questions to Ask When Booking a Venue for a Party

In truth, there are many questions you may want to ask. A lot of it depends on what type of party you’re hosting. As a simple example, if the party is a Reno wedding you’ll probably be getting ready at the venue and you’ll want to ask specific questions pertaining to this. If you’re hosting a corporate event, you’ll probably have a speaker and you’ll want to inquire about a sound system and stage. All of that being said, these are questions you’ll want to ask no matter what type of party you’re planning to throw:

1. Is my date of choice available? 

If not, are there any surrounding dates available? Is there a wait list you could be put on in case someone else has to cancel their event?

2. How far in advance can I reserve my date?

The best Reno event locations book early. If this is a large party or something that is incredibly important, you’ll want to get on their books as early as possible so you don’t miss your opportunity.

3. How many hours are included in the rental of the space? 

You’ll want to know how early you are allowed to arrive, and how late you can stay. If your booking only holds the location for a few hours, you may not want to adjust your party timeline.

4. How much is the deposit?

All event venues require a deposit, but they’re not all for the same amount. Do you need to put down half? Or perhaps, 35 percent?

5. What is included in the total? 

Does the amount you’re paying the event venue cover service charges, gratuity, and cleaning fees, or are those additional line items? Is a catered meal included? Are decorations?

6. What is the venue’s capacity?

Knowing how many guests you can invite to your party will inform several other important decisions, like how many invites to order, your catering budget, and more. You want to know not only that everyone on your guest list can attend, but also that they can be comfortable and enjoy themselves. If an event venue holds 100 people, you probably don’t want to have exactly 100 people there. It could feel very tight!

7. What is the backup plan for rain or inclement weather?

If you plan on holding your event outdoors, this question is essential to ask. Is there an indoor space the party can quickly be moved to?

8. What is the cancellation policy?

Things change, sometimes with little notice. Be sure to ask what happens if you need to cancel. When is the last possible date to make changes to our reservation?

As you can see, many of these questions lead to other important questions to ask when booking a venue. Be sure to take your time and inquire about anything you need in order to feel peace of mind that you’re booking the right place. Once the venue is set, you can get to work on other exciting party planning tasks.