Should I Avoid This Venue?

If you have been reading the news with regards to wedding venues as of late, one of NJ's most unique--and most controversial--just closed its doors, leaving couples high and dry. I did day-of coordination for a wedding here, and it was a learning experience. It was a lesson in seeing venue red flags that could deter a couple from having the most magical day. As a professional planner, I'd like to share some red flags to help couples avoid booking the wrong venues in the near future.

The venue staff is rude to couples and respond poorly to reviews.

Bad reviews in general can be a turn off to couples, but how they respond to them can be even worse. One way to check the attitude of a vendor is how they respond to negative reviews. They would not graciously take critiques, blame the couple, or pin the problem on something off topic. In working with couples, kindness and etiquette goes a long way.

There are bad reviews and they all nearly say the same thing.

If you see a pattern in the bad reviews, that means there is a pattern of poor behavior. Even if you see positive reviews, do not risk being a couple that could be treated similarly to someone who left a bad review.

Lack of communication.

If they do not respond within a reasonable amount of time, that's a red flag. If they brag that they don't check a form of communication, that's another issue. Whether your event is a year, week, or day away, it is up to the venue to respond promptly.

Unsafe decorations.

If you do decorations, make sure you either do the decorations yourself with some guidance or with a professional florist. I'd be skeptical with of a place that offers all inclusive decor that an external vendor would normally provide. Think of it as a all you can eat buffet. Do you want them to specialize in one thing really well or many things in a mediocre fashion? Let the venue handle venue matters such as holding your wedding, guest relations, and food. Most venues impose rules for an enclosed flame or even fake candles. Anything with an open flame, especially on a slightly unstable candle holder provided by the venue, can be a fire hazard. Any decoration in not optimal condition runs the risk of harm. Think about what would happen if a guest drinks and becomes off balance. You don't want that guest to bump into anything that can impose harm.

The condition of the space is questionable.

Rustic may be a desirable aesthetic, but do not let something dilapidated or broken be chalked up to the vibe. Check the bathrooms when touring. Cleanliness and hygienic spaces are important for events involving lots of people and expensive clothing.

Do not just book for the sake of the vibe.

Do not mistake things falling apart for it being rustic. If something is rusted, broken, chipped, has holes, shows leakage, presents uneven flooring, etc....it could be a sign a building is not to code. It's not a vibe. It's not an aesthetic. The only thing it is is a hazard to you and your guests. It is tempting to think that it looks cool and it would be great for photos. That can be true, but try to find a place that is rustic, but safe. If you cannot find a space or area that has a matching vibe, but does not hold weddings, utilize the space for engagement photos instead.

See what couples are saying in Facebook Groups.

Couples congregate and share their experiences in Facebook Groups. I've heard of groups of brides share tips, tricks, and hacks to work with a particular venue--just to make the wedding in the space doable and not stressful. Navigating how to work with a venue should not be like booking a trip to Disney World. When booking a venue, you should walk away feeling like you are in good hands and believe that the staff know what they are doing.