After a few venue tours, they blur together. One has the view, one has the better package, one just felt right. A scorecard puts every venue on the same terms, so your decision rests on facts as well as feelings.
Score every venue in the same categories
Write down the same categories for each venue, and score each from 1 to 5 (or 1 to 10) while the tour is fresh. Go with your first instinct on each number. A useful set of categories:
Location and capacity. Is it accessible for your guests? Does the stated capacity actually fit your guest list with tables, a dance floor, and entertainment? A commonly cited guideline is that comfortable capacity is about 80 to 85 percent of the fire-code maximum, so if a venue lists 200, plan for fewer.
Pricing and what's included. Don't compare base rental fees alone. A venue that includes tables, chairs, linens, and a coordinator can cost less than a cheaper venue where each item is an add-on.
Catering and bar. In-house or outside? Any exclusivity? What's the alcohol policy?
Logistics and amenities. Setup time, getting-ready rooms, rentals, parking, and load-in.
Style and atmosphere. The look of the space, photo spots, and how it feels.
Weather backup. For outdoor venues, what's the plan if it rains? See our guide to wedding venue rain backup plans.
Contracts and policies. Deposits, cancellation and postponement terms, vendor restrictions, and noise or sound curfew.
Questions to ask every venue
The top questions to lead with are: maximum capacity, whether catering is exclusive, what the rental fee includes, the cancellation and postponement policy, and any noise or sound curfew. For a longer list, see questions to ask a wedding venue.
Also ask about fees that aren't in the base price. Common examples include corkage or cake-cutting fees, bartender minimums, extra staffing, overtime, early access, cleanup, and required event insurance. Ask for a full written quote from each venue so you're comparing like with like.
Add one more column: your outfits
Most scorecards skip the thing you'll be looking at all day. How does your dress or suit look in that space? Colors, textures, and lighting change a lot from one venue to another. With Aisla, you can upload a photo of each venue and see yourself in your outfit there. Photos start at $1.99, videos at $3.99. That gives you a concrete way to compare spaces.
If it's still a tie after scoring, see how to choose between two wedding venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you compare wedding venues? Score each venue from 1 to 5 in the same categories, such as location, capacity, cost and inclusions, catering, logistics, atmosphere, weather backup, and contract terms.
What is the biggest mistake when comparing venue prices? Comparing base rental fees only. Always ask what's included, since a higher fee that covers more can cost less overall.
How much extra space should a venue have for my guest list? A commonly cited guideline is that comfortable capacity is about 80 to 85 percent of the fire-code maximum, so choose a venue with some room to spare.
What should I ask every venue? Maximum capacity, whether catering is exclusive, what the rental fee includes, the cancellation and postponement policy, and any noise curfew.
Aisla generates cinematic AI photos and video of wedding outfits at real venues, so you can see your look before you buy it.