Site Tours 101: Your Complete Guide to Wedding Venue Visits

So you've found some gorgeous venues on Here Comes The Guide and are ready to start touring in person. (This is where wedding planning gets real!) A site tour is the best way to get a feel for the space – and a feel for whether or not you can see yourselves actually getting married there. 

Typically, here’s how a wedding venue visit works: It takes about an hour, depending on the size, allows you to get to know the site coordinator, and lets you see the place with your own eyes—without any obligation or pressure to book.

But before you start scheduling site tours, let's talk about how to make the most of your venue visits—because trust us, there's more to it than just showing up and swooning over pretty spaces.

While it's tempting to dive right into touring right after you get engaged, take a breath and do some initial planning first. Having a rough idea of your wedding aesthetic, guest count, and budget will help you avoid falling in love with venues that won't suit your needs. 

Before you start booking site tours, we highly recommend reading our 10 Tips for Picking the Perfect Wedding Venue. From determining your venue style and budget to considering the various venue features and restrictions, it’s a great starting point for narrowing down your wedding venue wish list.

→ That said, don't wait too long—especially if you're eyeing a popular venue or date!

In a perfect world, we’d recommend booking tours 12–18 months before your ideal wedding date (popular venues book quickly – and some in-demand venues can book up to 24 months in advance!) However, we know that that’s not always possible.

If you're working with a shorter timeline, that's okay! Many fabulous venues still have dates available 6–12 months out, especially if you're flexible with your wedding date or open to non-peak days like Fridays or Sundays. We recommend reaching out to venues as soon as you can to check their availability and schedule tours. 

If you're touring multiple venues in a day, try to cluster your visits so that you can easily drive from one place to another without backtracking. Schedule at least an hour per venue visit and leave ample driving time. You want to be efficient, but don't over-schedule yourself. It's best to view places when you're fresh and your judgment isn't clouded by fatigue.

This is the fun part! But remember that this visit isn’t just about the stunning architectural details and gorgeous gardens. You need to address the logistics, too.

Once you've fallen in love with a venue's look and feel, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty details that could impact your budget and planning. Start by discussing their packages, restrictions, and any extra fees that might not be obvious at first glance. Share your wedding vision with the venue coordinator and confirm that they can accommodate your specific needs – from your desired floor plan to your timeline. Be sure to also clarify their vendor policies, as some venues require you to work from a preferred vendor list or may charge fees for bringing in outside vendors. 

For a comprehensive guide to venue questions that will help you uncover any potential surprises, check out our Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue.

While we hope every venue visit goes smoothly, it's important to trust your instincts and watch for potential warning signs. Remember, this isn't just about finding a pretty space—you're also choosing the team you'll work with throughout your wedding planning.

Always listen to your gut, and consider your rapport with the person(s) you're touring with. Are you comfortable with them? Do they listen well and respond to your questions directly? Do they inspire trust and confidence? If you have doubts, you need to resolve them before embarking on a working relationship with these folks—no matter how wonderful the venue itself is. 

Don't think your work is done the moment you leave the venue! The hours right after your tour are crucial for organizing your thoughts and making clear comparisons between venues. Here's what to do while everything is fresh in your mind:

It's easy to get emotionally attached to a wedding venue, but remember that it's not a done deal until you sign a contract. Now's the time to be businesslike and put your emotions aside. If you can't do that, get a non-emotional partner, friend, or relative to help you review the small print and negotiate changes before you sign. 

Remember all those notes you took when you first visited the site? Compare them with what's actually written in the contract. No matter what someone told you about the availability of a dance floor, the price of linens, or the ceremony arch, you can't hold the venue to it until the contract is signed. 

Remember, while finding your perfect wedding venue is exciting, it's also a significant (and expensive!) decision that deserves careful consideration. Take your time during site tours to really envision your celebration in the space, ask thorough questions, and trust your gut. With proper preparation, you'll be well-equipped to find the venue that checks all your boxes and sets the perfect stage for your special day.