Charges that show up later
These are the lines most often missing from a first quote. Ask about each one in writing before you pay a deposit.
Food and drink minimum
Is the minimum before or after service charge and tax, and what happens if we spend less?
Service charge vs. gratuity
Is the service charge a tip for the staff, or a fee the venue keeps? Is a gratuity expected on top?
Extra staff
How many servers and bartenders are included at our guest count, and what does another one cost?
Running late
What does each extra half hour cost, for the room and for every vendor, and who can say yes to it on the night?
Setup time
How early can our vendors get in, and is earlier or day-before access charged by the hour?
Outside caterers and drinks
Can we bring our own caterer, cake or alcohol? Is there a kitchen fee, cake-cutting fee or corkage?
Tables, chairs and linens
Which tables, chairs, linens and glassware are included, how many, and what shape are they in?
Cleaning
Is there a cleaning fee, and does confetti, candle wax or glitter add to it?
Security
Is security required at our guest count, and do we have to hire it through you?
Event insurance
Do we need our own event insurance, and does the venue need to be named on it?
Damage deposit
How much is the deposit, what has been taken out of it before, and how soon is it returned?
Rain plan
If it rains, where do we go, does it hold everyone, and does a tent or backup room cost extra?
Parking
How many parking spaces are ours, and is valet or a shuttle required?
A cushion
Not a venue question. Keep about a tenth of the total aside for the things nobody mentioned.