5 Mistakes to Avoid When Touring Venues
Choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during the planning process — and it sets the tone for everything from your photos to your guest experience. Touring venues is exciting, but it’s also easy to get overwhelmed or overlook details that matter later.
At Parker Run, we’ve walked hundreds of couples through tours, questions, and “I wish I had known this sooner” moments. Here are the five most common mistakes couples make when touring venues — and how to avoid them.
1. Touring Without a Clear Guest Count
Many couples walk in with only a rough estimate (“maybe 150 guests?”), but your true guest count affects everything: seating layouts, ceremony space, catering logistics, and how comfortably your guests will move throughout the property.
How to avoid it:
Create two numbers before you tour — your likely count and your maximum count. This gives you the flexibility to compare spaces realistically without boxing yourself in.
2. Focusing Only on the Pretty Spots (and Not the Flow)
Every venue has beautiful photo-worthy backdrops, but weddings are lived in the transitions:
How guests enter
Where they mingle during cocktail hour
How easy dinner service is
How the reception flows
A gorgeous ceremony space won’t fix a reception area that bottlenecks or lacks comfortable room for dancing.
How to avoid it:
During your tour, imagine your wedding in motion: guests arriving, finding their seats, moving to cocktails, transitioning to dinner, and ending the night on the dance floor. Ask how the venue handles those transitions.
3. Not Asking About Weather Backups
Outdoor weddings are dreamy… until the radar pops up. Couples often overlook what the Plan B actually looks like, and whether it feels equally beautiful and well-coordinated.
How to avoid it:
Ask to see — or at least hear about — the venue’s full backup plan:
Where would the ceremony move?
How long does a flip take?
What does the indoor space look like when fully set?
Who handles the transition?
A strong venue can pivot smoothly without stress.
4. Forgetting About the “Unseen” Amenities
It’s easy to fall in love with lighting, scenery, or a rustic beam or two. But the behind-the-scenes amenities are what make the day seamless:
Parking
Accessibility
Prep space for the wedding party
Power access for the DJ
Caterer-friendly setup areas
Restroom quantity and quality
These aren’t glamorous topics, but they significantly affect your guests’ experience.
How to avoid it:
Come with a quick checklist. As you tour, ask specifically about logistics — especially if you’re planning a larger guest count.
5. Touring Without Asking How the Venue Supports You
Couples sometimes assume all venues offer the same level of communication, day-of support, or setup/teardown guidance. They don’t. The difference between a smooth wedding day and a stressful one is often how available and proactive the venue staff are.
How to avoid it:
Ask:
What does staff support look like on wedding day?
Who is your main point of contact?
What’s included in setup and teardown?
How early can vendors access the space?
Is there someone onsite throughout the event?
Clear communication is everything.
Final Thoughts
Touring venues is one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding. When you know what to look for — and what questions to ask — you can walk into your tour confident and prepared. A great venue should feel beautiful, functional, and supportive from the moment you arrive.
If you'd like a tour at Parker Run or want help deciding whether our space fits your vision, we’re always happy to walk you through every detail. Reach out here.