Two venues with the same rental fee can end up hundreds or thousands of dollars apart once food minimums, service charges, rentals and overtime are added. Compare the all-in price for your guest count, not the headline price.
Know Your Numbers First
- Guest count: invited guests × the share you expect to come. Plan seats for everyone who RSVPs yes.
- Layout: seated dinner, standing cocktail, theater rows or a mix; each needs a different capacity.
- Budget: use the party budget calculator to see what share can go to the venue.
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12 Things to Compare
- Capacity for your layout (seated, standing, with a dance floor)
- Rental fee or food-and-drink minimum
- Service charge, gratuity and sales tax
- Hours included, including setup and cleanup time
- Overtime cost per hour
- In-house catering only, or outside food allowed (and any fee)
- Alcohol rules: bar packages, corkage, licensed bartenders
- What is included: tables, chairs, linens, AV, microphone, lighting
- Decoration rules (candles, confetti, tape, balloons)
- Noise limits and end time
- Parking, transit and accessibility
- Deposit, payment schedule, cancellation and weather terms
On the Tour
Bring the venue question list, take photos of the room, restrooms and entrances, and ask to see the space set up for an event like yours.
Need food? Find caterers on our sister site catering.broker. Planning a wedding? See ido.broker.