5 Important Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue Before You Book Entertainment

Published by Claire Gould on

Article by Warble Entertainment
Images by Gareth Newstead Photography

Booking your wedding entertainment is a process. There is a lot to think about, but it can also be one of the most enjoyable and exciting parts of your wedding planning!

There is something special about live music in particular at a wedding. It can generate so much energy and emotion in a room. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to put a lot of thought into what questions you ask your wedding venue before you choose your perfect wedding band.

We loved reading this post with 5 questions to ask a wedding venue and it inspired us to come up with 5 new ones!

If you are yet to start your wedding entertainment search, here are 5 more important questions you need to ask your venue before you book entertainment.

1. Do I have to choose from your supplier list?

Some wedding venues only work to a specific supplier list when it comes to live music and wedding entertainment. Because of this, you need to make sure you are allowed to bring in your own band or entertainers from outside the venue before you book.

If you are limited to their supplier list, it may leave you less choice in the long run but the venue often have their reasons for doing this. As mentioned in the previous wedding venue questions post, some venues have sound restrictions and noise limiters in place. This means they are more likely to stick with specific acts that are approved to work there.

Being aware of a wedding venue’s recommended supplier list is useful in a number of ways. If you want to play it safe and need a band or singer who can definitely work with the venue, why not ask your wedding venue coordinator to recommend some top bands to you?

Image credit Gareth Newstead Photography (7)

Image credit Gareth Newstead Photography

2. Do you allow fireworks or fire performers?

Want a showstopping finale to your wedding day? If you are considering adding a fiery inferno or some beautiful sky explosions to your day, you may want to ask your venue if this is okay first!

For fire performers in particular, their job revolves around controlling live flames in close proximity to your guests and the venue. Whilst they are highly skilled performers, you need to do your due diligence with ensure the venue are happy to accommodate such performers.

Fireworks are loud and can cover a wide area. When thinking of questions to ask a wedding venue, it can be a good idea to ask about what outside space is available to you to help you make your entertainment decisions!

3. Is the bar in the same room as the band?

Top of the list of ways to kill your dance floor on your wedding night is this old chestnut. If having a big party at the end of the night and a full dance floor is important to you, get the bar and the dance floor as close to each other as you can!
If the venue can accommodate having the bar in the same room as the band, this will do wonders for the atmosphere on your night and allow your entertainment to shine.

If the bar is in a separate room, then it isn’t the end of the world. Just be prepared that guests may slip away and spend more time at the bar than joining in with the party.

4. Can we provide our own playlist or plug in to your sound system?

Some couples opt to DJ their own weddings with specific playlists. This could be on your phone, an iPad or iPod. If you are thinking of doing this, ask the venue if they have a sound system you can put your tunes through and what cables you might need.

Some entertainers will be happy for you to use their sound system, but this can mean paying for an earlier set up or an extra fee for use of the equipment. If you have a DJ booked, they will obviously have the music covered, but what about speeches and announcements? 

If they aren’t present or due to set up during the time that speeches are meant to happen, asking questions about sound systems that already exist at the venue can save you some money and allow you to plan properly.

Image credit Gareth Newstead Photography (4)

Image credit Gareth Newstead Photography

5. Do you need to see certificates from any wedding entertainers we book?

Professional wedding entertainers should have all of the relevant insurance and equipment documents. Your venue may ask to see these. Booking through an agency ensures that you are paying for a performer that is fully insured and vetted.

Certificates are usually in the form of PAT and PLI certificates for both equipment and insurance. Hiring a group of professional musicians or entertainers to perform at your wedding may seem expensive on the surface, but there is a good reason for this. If there is but one thing you should take away from this, it’s that you should absolutely hire professionals for what is potentially the biggest day of your life.

Amateur bands or part time entertainers aren’t guaranteed to have these certificates and you may run in to problems with your venue if they don’t have the relevant documents. Don’t leave it up to chance! Does your mate’s band have Public Liability Insurance? Is their equipment PAT tested? Do they even have their own equipment? Avoid these headaches and go to a professional.

Article by Joey Burdon of Warble Entertainment


Claire Gould

Claire spends her days writing - either in beautiful calligraphy or online. She lives on the edge of the English Lake District only minutes away from the beach, where she loves to escape and unwind. Claire's calligraphy can be found at www.byMoonandTide.com. Claire launched the English Wedding Blog in November 2009 - it's been a top 10 UK wedding blog ever since, with a regional focus we hope you LOVE.

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