Questions To Ask When Touring an Event Venue

Published 8/1/2026

There are plenty of things to consider when booking a venue and deciding whether it is the right fit for what you have in mind. To make it a little easier for you, we have put together a guide as you take that first step of going in for a tour. 

Notably, some of these questions only apply to weddings. Still, overall, if you are booking a wedding or a special occasion, you want to be sure that everything goes as planned and fits exactly as you envisioned, so we put this list together to help you in the process.

Availability and Booking

Upon first contemplating a venue, there is much to consider and a lot to get swept up in with all the details you have in your mind—some of the first questions you need to ask concern the booking process and the venue's availability.

Is My Preferred Date Available? 

This is a starting point for deciding whether a venue will work: if you are not flexible on your date and it’s not available, the venue may simply not work, and you may have to move on to another venue. If you are flexible, you can see what the venue has available and check whether it matches your schedule.

How Long Can We Reserve The Venue?

How long you may be able to reserve the venue is another pivotal factor to ask when going in. After all, you want to know how long the celebration will be able to last. For example, many event venues in Metro Detroit offer about a 4-6 hour rental; more specifically, for weddings, Pelister Park allows for a 6-hour room rental, then more time can be added on for $200. Other social events at Pelister Park start at 4 hours. 

Are There Minimum Guest Counts?

Minimum guest counts are popular with most venues and likely for busy days such as the weekend. While it will differ venue to venue, an example would be Pelister Park. Here we have a guest requirement of 125 on Saturday, 75 on Friday and Sunday, but no guest minimum on weekdays. Although this is only during the busy months of May-October. Therefore, reaching out to a venue about this requirement is important to determine whether you can meet the count, especially on a busy day for venues, such as a Saturday.

Are there Minimum Spending Requirements?

A common trend across the industry is to have minimum spending requirements to establish if it is financially worth it for the venue. Furthermore, larger venues are likely to have higher spending requirements, and this should be considered when going to make that tour because if the requirements are much higher than you're willing to spend, then it could be an immediate indicator to have a conversation with the venue about it, or look elsewhere. 

What is Required to Reserve the Date?

Making sure that you keep the date that you agreed on with the venue is important because you don’t want someone to fill in the date without you knowing. So, many venues require a deposit; for example, Pelister Park requires a $1,500 initial deposit to secure your date. This is a common trend across the industry and is best to be expected when you go about planning; after all, it will help you ensure that you don’t lose out on your preferred date. 

Pricing

The cost of an event is always a huge factor when considering where to book, and it’s one of the first things that comes to mind for many people. After all, each place has a different cost, with some being higher than expected and others lower. Though with that price comes a story: some places may only offer the bare minimum at a low cost, while others charge more but include much more, so all the options need to be weighed.

What is Included in the Rental Fee?

Many venues are different in what a rental fee may cover; some only cover having the space and basic utilities. Meanwhile, others cover the space, utilities, tables, chairs, linens, chin

a, glassware, and flatware; Pelister Park is a venue that offers all these amenities. So everything needs to be considered if it is worth using outside vendors and additional planning, or if you would rather have it all in one to avoid the hassle. In the past, we have seen that the logistics of having many vendors can make it much more complicated and sometimes overwhelming.

Are There Any Additional Costs/Fees?

We have all encountered it before: when you pay a fee for a service, then find out later that you still have more to pay. It’s nothing that anyone enjoys, but it happens, so it's better to ask right off the bat if a venue is not upfront with you. This would include taxes, gratuity, and service charges or credit card fees. Not to mention if setup and cleanup are included; with many venues it's not, but that isn't found out until it's logistics time. But with others, such as Pelister Park, it is included, which we touch on under ceremony and reception logistics.

What Payment Schedule is Required?

Some venues require all the money upfront while others offer payment plans. With many people working with a specific budget or a fixed income, this is a needed piece of information to see if the venue is affordable. 

To give an example, Pelister Park requires an initial deposit, then 6 months out we require 50% of the estimated total; then two weeks out we require the remaining balance. However, if someone books within six months, then the second payment is null. So, there are many possibilities, but this is just how we operate.

Food & Beverages

Ultimately, it is easy to get swept up in the beauty and the food of the venue. But to ensure a smooth event, it is important to look deeper into the logistics of food and beverage, which are crucial when hosting. 

Is In-House Catering Required or Can I Bring My Own Caterer?

When you consider that many event venues in the Detroit metro area require in-house catering, this becomes a question many people may not have initially considered. Since

many people begin planning with a specific type of food in mind, it becomes even more important. But some places offer an in-between, such as Pelister Park, where if it's a dish that we are able to offer, then we must cater it. On the slight occasion that it is something that our Chef can’t provide, then we allow outside catering. But it's important to remember that even if you cannot get your favorite restaurant to cater, you can always go to an event such as a tasting to explore the venue’s food.

Can The Menu Be Customized?

Many venues make packages that cannot be customized, and therefore you only have a few options. Others allow for customizations, such as Pelister Park, which allows for customizations to the menu to account for different tastes among different crowds. However, without asking this question before a payment, you could get stuck with a menu that you are not fully sold on.

Does The Venue Accommodate Dietary Restrictions and Allergies?

When hosting a large group of people, there are likely going to be restrictions amongst your guests. These may include dietary needs such as halal meals, gluten-free options, nut allergies, or vegetarian preferences. We can accommodate restrictions at our venue, but making sure that your venue accommodates your guests with restrictions such as these is important because every guest should be accommodated. 

What Bar Packages are Available?

Venue to venue, the packages are going to differ, so understanding all the different options will be important when deciding who will host your event. For example, Pelister Park offers many different packages for cash, beer & wine, or open bars, so you just have to find the right one for you and your guests.

Can We Provide Our Own Alcohol?

This is another detail that many venues are split on. Many do not offer this option to do so for liability purposes, such as Pelister Park, although others allow for it for an additional fee. If this is something you want to do, then you would want to ask the venue early on, but the alcohol that you want will likely be at the venue anyway.

Guest Experience

When hosting an event, you want your guests to have as good of a time as you are and to look back at the experience fondly. So, when you go on your tour and are looking at which venue to choose, don’t forget to think about the guest experience as well as your

own.

How Many Guests Can the Space Accommodate?

Right off the bat, this will tell you if the venue is going to work for you. If you plan to host a large event of well over 350 guests, then your options may be limited, though as the guest numbers start to go down, more options open up. Many venues have it organized like Pelister Park, which can accommodate up to 300 guests, or 225 with a dance floor, so an event such as a wedding would be a little less.

Is There Ample Parking?

An easily overlooked detail that Pelister Park looks at closely is the parking of the venue. Nobody wants to walk an inconvenient distance, especially if anyone has mobility issues, so when touring your venue, be sure that there is enough parking and close spots for the people who need it, such as senior citizens.

Is the Venue Wheelchair Accessible?

Staying on the topic of thinking of your guests, if anyone is using a wheelchair, then making sure it is accessible by wheelchair is important. If it is not accessible this way, then someone may be forced to go home because they cannot go inside or because the facilities aren’t ample. Thankfully, here at Pelister Park, there are no stairs, and everything is wheelchair accessible, making it no concern for you and your guests.

Are There Private Dressing Suites for the Wedding Party

Being able to get ready at the venue is an important detail that can’t be ignored. After all, the bride and groom usually don’t see each other until they are at the altar, so being able to get ready separately is important, and it is a detail that Pelister Park can accommodate.

Ceremony and Reception Logistics

Making sure that a venue fits all your finer details and logistics is a step that can’t be avoided, especially when there is a vision in your head, and all you want is to make it a reality. This next section is about those little steps and questions that need to be asked before the big day.

Can Both the Ceremony and Reception be Held Here?

Many venues are only licensed and designed for one or the other, or sometimes restrict doing them both on the same property. So being upfront with your venue on what you need is the only way to ensure smooth logistical planning. Though many venues offer both and make it a package, making it easier on you as far as planning, such as Pelister Park.

What Is The Backup Plan for Bad Weather If the Ceremony is Outdoors?

We all hope for sunshine on the big day, but sometimes it doesn’t always go that way. Consequently, you need to have a backup plan for such an instance, or more

importantly, your venue does. That is, of course, if you are doing an outdoor wedding; if you are indoors, then you can check off this box without a concern. But for anyone thinking of going outside, ensure that you have a venue that has accommodations in case the weather is poor.

Is There Backup Power in Case of an Outage?

We have heard of occasions where the power goes out at a venue in the middle of a wedding ceremony. This is almost the worst-case scenario; therefore, make sure to ask if there is a backup generator in case of a bad storm. To avoid any possibility of this, Pelister Park has a generator in case of such an event.

Can We Rehearse On-Site Before the Wedding?

Back-to-back scheduling of events is common for wedding venues, especially during busy months, which are usually in the summer. This, of course, results in not allowing for rehearsal at many venues because they are so busy and can’t fit it into their schedule. Although it just depends on the venue because it differs so much from place to place and their specific policies. For example, Pelister Park offers a rehearsal; the time and day just depend on our event schedule.

Vendors

Most weddings will have outside vendors, whether that be a photographer, a DJ, or a decorator; there are many spots to fill and therefore more to coordinate. Taking the steps to ensure that everything with the venue and the vendors goes smoothly will help your event and help relieve your stress.

Do You Have a Preferred Vendor List?

Asking for a preferred vendor list can be super helpful in the planning stage because it can help reduce stress and save you money. Preferred vendors have worked with venues before, so they know the employees, have backup plans, know how their equipment will handle the space, and events have gone well because of all this. So, if they have a list, then it's a good idea to look into them, as it will solve logistical problems and give credibility to the people you are putting your faith into.

Are Outside Vendors Allowed?

It is very popular for venues to have a preferred vendors list and only allow those vendors to operate in their space. Making it challenging if you are looking at a different vendor but the venue won’t allow for it, so it's a choice between the two. If that's not the case, often a venue will allow for it, such as Pelister Park, though others often include an extra fee in order to try to sway you towards their preferred vendors.

Are There Any Restrictions on Photographers, DJ’s, or Decorators?

Restrictions on outside vendors are common across the venue industry, and you will likely encounter some of these as you look at different vendors to play a role in your event. 

Photographers: Some restrictions on photographers will be regarding whether they can use the flash, where they can set up their equipment, and the type of equipment allowed, such as how tripods are not allowed in some venues.

DJ’s: DJ’s will see restrictions as far as when they can play music till, how loud it can be (decibel levels), and where they can set up their equipment.

Decorators: Many venues will restrict what a decorator can and can’t do. A main one will be putting tacks or nails in the wall, which restricts an item such as drapery; instead, they would have to be free-standing. Another common restriction from venue to venue is candles; usually they will have to be fake rather than an open flame. 

To give an example of how venues operate, Pelister Park has a local noise ordinance to meet, and we don’t allow nails or tacks in the wall, which still allows for creative freedom, just a few things to protect us as well. While all this can be frustrating, these restrictions are just to keep the venue in top shape and avoid any major liability problems.

When Can Vendors Begin Setup?

Continuing with the logistics of your event, there is the setup of the vendors, because after all, you need them to have enough time so that they are ready for you and your guests. Many places allow them to begin setup when you are allowed to start setting up, but be sure to check with the vendors if that is enough time for them.

Who Coordinates with the Vendors on Wedding Day?

Coordination is a huge part of your event, making sure everything is going as planned and everyone is where they need to be at the correct time. That is only amplified when there are multiple vendors at one time. Most venues make it clear that it is on you and your wedding coordinator, though sometimes the event manager will handle some small logistics, such as where they can set up and provide a table or chairs. 

Conclusion

Looking back at all the many questions, it can become a lot; there is simply a lot to remember. But thankfully, this is when you can count on the event manager because they will always be there to help you. Like at Pelister Park, where we put much of this to rest for you and help you organize it to try to lift some of the stress off your shoulders. So, use this post as a reference when you start planning, but try to not become overwhelmed because everything will work out in the end and everyone will be delighted that they came to your event!