Questions to ask a wedding venue before you book.
The venue is usually the biggest booking and the hardest to change. These are the questions worth asking before you pay a deposit, whether you are booking for a Nikah, a Walima or both.
Date and size
- Is our date free, and how long can you hold it before we pay a deposit?
- What is your seated capacity for a meal, rather than your standing capacity?
- Is there a minimum number of guests or a minimum spend?
- Do you host the Nikah, the Walima, or both?
Separate spaces
- Can you provide separate spaces for men and women, and is that separate rooms or a partition in one room?
- Does each space have its own entrance and toilets?
- Can guests on both sides see the stage or top table?
- Can you provide female staff for the women’s area?
Food and drink
- Can we bring our own caterer, or do we have to use yours?
- If we bring our own, is there a fee, and can our caterer use your kitchen?
- If you provide the food, how is it sourced and prepared, and can it meet our families’ requirements?
- Can the whole event be alcohol free, including any bar?
Prayer and timings
- Is there a quiet room where guests can pray, and somewhere to make wudu?
- What time can we get in to set up, and what time do we have to finish?
- What happens, and what does it cost, if we run over?
Decor and vendors
- Can we use our own decorators, or do we have to choose from your list?
- What is included: tables, chairs, linen, lighting, a stage?
- Are there limits on music volume, candles or decorations?
- Do you have rules for photographers and videographers?
Costs and contract
- What exactly is included in the price, and what costs extra, such as service charges, security, cleaning or VAT?
- How much is the deposit, and when are the other payments due?
- What happens if we need to move the date or cancel?
- Can we have all of this in writing before we pay?
Getting there
- Is there step-free access for older and disabled guests?
- How much parking is there, and how close is public transport?
If you want your Nikah to be your legal marriage
Hotels and venues licensed for weddings are approved for civil ceremonies, which cannot include religious content. A Nikah held there will not be your legal marriage on its own. See Is a Nikah legally binding in the UK?
Compare venues side by side
You can compare capacity, separate spaces and price range across venues in Discover, and save the ones you like to a shortlist you share with your partner.
Keep the whole plan in one place.
Zawjain puts every step of your wedding in order, helps you find venues and vendors from across the UK, and keeps your guest list and invitations in one app you share with your partner.
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