A tour is where you fall in love with a place. It's also your best chance to find out what the contract will actually say. Print this list, bring a pen, and write down the answers — every venue on your list, the same questions.
Cost and contract
- What's the total for our guest count, with every fee and tax? Listen for a number, not "it depends."
- Is there a service charge, and is tax charged on it?
- Is there a food-and-beverage minimum or a minimum guest count?
- What deposit holds the date, and when are the other payments due?
- What happens if we need to change the date or cancel?
Time and space
- How many hours do we get, and what does each extra hour cost?
- How many events happen on our date? One wedding a day means no shared parking lot and no strangers in the bathroom line.
- When can our vendors arrive to set up?
- Is there a getting-ready space, and from what time?
- Is a rehearsal included?
Vendors, food and bar
- Can we bring our own caterer? Is there a fee?
- Can we bring our own alcohol? Is there corkage?
- Do we have to use a preferred-vendor list?
- What's already set up — tables, chairs, linens, lighting, dance floor?
- Who handles setup, breakdown and cleanup?
Weather, guests and the details
- What's the rain plan, exactly? Ask to see it, not just hear about it.
- How do guests get to the ceremony site, and is it accessible?
- Is there lodging on site, and how many does it sleep?
- Are sparklers, confetti, pets or fireworks allowed?
- Who is our point of contact on the day?
How we'd answer
Since you'll ask us anyway: our 2027 venue price includes tax and gratuity, with no service charge added. A 25% deposit of the venue fee holds your date. The estate is yours from 12 PM to 10 PM, or 24 hours with the Estate Stay — one wedding a day, never a second event. Any licensed caterer and your own alcohol are welcome at no fee. The tent, 300 chairs, tables, linens, dance floor and lighting are set before you arrive. If it rains, sidewalls go on the tent and ceremonies move to the Grand Lobby or the barn. A tractor-pulled trolley carries guests to every ceremony site. Your dog may walk the aisle.
After the tour
- Put every venue's answers side by side in one table.
- Compare totals for the same guest count and date, not starting prices.
- Ask for the contract before you pay a deposit, and read the cancellation terms.
