Start with three questions: will your guests be comfortable, can the space support your plans, and does the full known cost fit your budget? Take your expected guest count, date and outline of the day to the viewing.
Follow your guests' route
Walk from the drop-off point to reception, the seats and toilets. Check lifts, steps, wheelchair access and places to rest. Ask for a layout based on your guest numbers, then check views of the stage and screen. Confirm the arrangements for the bridal room, tea ceremony and marriage ceremony.
Check each time separately
When can suppliers set up? When can guests arrive? When does food service start and finish? When must everything be cleared? Write these down for your photographer, make-up team, decorator and MC to check. Confirm venue access and catering hours separately.
Put the inclusions in writing
Ask for an itemised quotation covering minimum spend, catering, service charges, drinks, sound and projection, staffing, parking and other known charges. Check the cost of changing guest numbers, adding equipment or extending hours. For outdoor plans, view the indoor alternative and confirm its capacity, changeover time and extra cost.
Resolve open questions before paying
Ask about planned renovations, changes to rooms or equipment, notification arrangements, deposits, payment dates, postponement and cancellation. Where possible, visit before deciding. Record important answers in the confirmation documents and ask about any unclear terms.
Your viewing checklist can include: venue and date / guest numbers and layout / access, catering and clearance times / included and extra items / backup space / payment and change deadlines / unanswered questions.
Want to bring these arrangements into your wedding running order? WhatsApp Harry on +852 6593 4441 with your date, venue and the question on your mind.
Reference: Consumer Council: wedding banquet booking. This is general planning guidance; confirm each venue's services and contract separately.
Your venue-viewing worksheet
Type into the blanks, then print or save as PDF using your browser. Entries stay on this page only and are cleared when it reloads. Nothing is sent to Harry.
On a small screen, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Item | What to check | Answer, document and next step | Confirmed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating and sightlines | Layout, pillars, stage and screen views | ||
| Guest access | Drop-off, lifts, steps, toilets and rest areas | ||
| Separate spaces | Bridal room, tea ceremony, marriage ceremony and wet-weather alternative | ||
| Access and clearance | Supplier setup, guest arrival, food service and final clearance | ||
| Food and equipment | Dietary needs, tasting, sound, projection, microphones and operator | ||
| Quotation inclusions | Minimum spend, service charges, drinks, parking and extras | ||
| Changes and payments | Renovations, room changes, guest-count deadlines, deposits, postponement and cancellation |
